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Background and Aim: Acute kidney diseases impose a significant burden on long-term hospitalizations. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 8 weeks of swimming exercise and zinc supplementation on renal function markers following unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 32 nephrectomized rats aged 8-10 weeks and weighing 190-220 grams were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1) nephrectomy control (Nef), 2) swimming training (ST), 3) zinc supplementation (Z), and 4) swimming training + zinc supplementation (ST+Z). Additionally, 8 healthy rats were included as a normal control group to assess the effects of unilateral ureteral obstruction. The ST and ST+Z groups swam for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, for 20-45 minutes each session in a special animal pool. The Z and ST+Z groups also received 30 mg/kg zinc sulfate daily by gavage. Serum creatinine, hemoglobin, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus levels were measured. Results: Sodium and creatinine levels were significantly lower in the Z, ST, and ST+Z groups compared to the Nef group (P≤0.05). Potassium levels were significantly lower in the Z group compared to the Nef group (P=0.018). Phosphorus levels were significantly lower in the ST+Z group compared to the Nef group (P=0.003). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that exercise and zinc supplementation have interactive effects on improving ion balance and reducing serum creatinine following unilateral ureteral obstruction in animal models. Therefore, it is suggested that the combination of swimming exercise and zinc supplementation be used in conditions of kidney disorders.

Abstract The current research was conducted to explore, for the first time, Tagetes erecta L. (family Asteraceae) fruits from northwest Iran in terms of the chemical composition of essential and fixed oils, their cytotoxic activities, and the inhibitory effect of essential oil on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The volatile oil was obtained through hydrodistillation (Clevenger apparatus). According to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, the essential oil was rich in cyclic monoterpenoids, 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-3-cyclohexen-1-one (19.99%), d-limonene (12.75%), terpinolene (11.64%) and also the saturated fatty acid palmitic acid (19.09%). Furthermore, the seeds of T. erecta were extracted using hexane by the maceration method. The analysis of fatty acid profile of the fixed oil by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) demonstrated that the most predominant fatty acids in fixed oil were linoleic acid (59.53%), palmitic acid (13.70%), stearic acid (10.20%), and oleic acid (9.20%). The cytotoxic activity of essential oil, crude oil, and fraction A (obtained from fixed oil) were evaluated by using the MTT assay on MCF7 (human breast cancer cell line), PC3 (human prostate cancer cell line), and U87MG (human glioblastoma cell line). Finally, the effect of essential oil on inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was evaluated using real-time PCR. The essential oil exhibited vigorous cytotoxic activity on the U87MG cell line, with an IC50 value of 32.65 μg/mL. Interestingly, the essential oil significantly inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR cascade compared to the non-treated group. Our results suggest that the essential oil holds promise as an anticancer agent for glioblastoma cell lines. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report on the profile of the essential oil of T. erecta fruits and its implications for targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was the association between the relationship between Dietary Quality Index-International (DQI-I) and Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and the urinary levels of F2alpha-isoprostane (F2a-IP) and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was investigated as indicators of oxidative stress. Results Based on HEI (low, moderate, and good), the diet quality of both groups was classified as moderate. In all participants, HEI (β=-0.29; P = 0.04) and DQI-I (β=-0.46; P = 0.005) were inversely associated with 8-OHdG. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between HEI (mean β=-3.53; P = 0.04) and DQI-I (mean β=-5.53; P = 0.004) with F2a-IP. The quality of the footballers’ diet was higher than that of the control group. Following a high-quality diet, which is rich in antioxidants, is likely to effectively reduce oxidative stress.

Abstract The surface micromorphology and roughening of the thermal evaporation-coated FTO/ZnS bilayer thin films annealed at 300, 400, 500, and $$550\,^\circ{\text{C}}$$ 550 ∘ C for 1 h have been studied. AFM images of the prepared samples were analysed by the MountainsMap software, and the effects of the annealing temperature on the surface texture of the FTO/ZnS thin film’s surface were investigated. Stereometric and advanced fractal analyses showed that the sample annealed at $$500\,^\circ{\text{C}}$$ 500 ∘ C exhibited greater surface roughness and greater skewness and kurtosis. This film also has the most isotropic surface and exhibits the highest degree of heterogeneity. Also, despite the decrease in surface roughness with increasing temperature from 500 to $$550 \,^\circ{\text{C}}$$ 550 ∘ C , the fractal dimension tends to increase. The static water contact angle measurements indicate that the film annealed at $$500 \,^\circ{\text{C}}$$ 500 ∘ C exhibits higher hydrophobicity, which can be attributed to its greater topographic roughness. Our research indicates that the surface morphology of FTO/ZnS bilayer thin films is influenced by the annealing temperature. Changing factors such as roughness, fractality, and wettability parameters to help improve surface performance make the FTO/ZnS bilayer suitable for application in electronic and solar systems.

The abdomen is the second most common site for sepsis. This potentially life- threatening condition necessitates finding the source and providing prompt medical and/or surgical treatment. This presentation reveals an uncommon cause of intra- abdominal sepsis.A 43-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, tachycardia, tachypnea, and generalized abdominal tenderness. The evaluation of the laboratory tests showed an elevation in white blood cell count and liver enzymes. Ultrasonography of the liver revealed the presence of hydatid cysts, and the abdomino- pelvic computed tomography scan with contrast displayed multiple pyogenic cysts in her liver, one of which had ruptured into the peritoneum. She underwent surgery, received antimicrobial agents, and was successfully discharged without experiencing any complications.One clinical presentation of a hepatic hydatid cyst could be intra-abdominal sepsis, which requires emergency surgery along with antibiotic and anti-helminthic drugs.

Objective: The relationship between oxidative stress (OS), insulin resistance (IR), and polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is an important medical issue in human reproduction. Some of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) geneshave been previously studied in granulosa and muscle cells of PCOS patients. Cumulus cells (CCs) remain close to theoocyte even after ovulation. This research has been designed to compare the expression of OXPHOS genes in CCs ofPCOS, with or without insulin resistance.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, patients were included in PCOS insulin-resistant, PCOS insulinsensitive(IS), and control (fertile women with male infertility history) groups. The expression of NCF2, TXNIP, UCP2,NDUFB6, ATP5H, COX7C, NDUFA3, SDHA, and SDHB was studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR),aand normalization was performed considering HPRT1 and CYC1 as reference genes. One-way ANOVA and Tukey testwere used for data analysis.Results: The results showed that the expression of NCF2, TXNIP, UCP2, and ATP5H was significantly higher in theIR group than IS and control groups (P

A granular cell tumor (GCT) is an unusual benign mesenchymal neoplasm with Schwann cells origin. The most common site is the dorsum of the tongue. It has a striking tendency to occur in females and is more frequent in adult patients. GCT typically shows an asymptomatic, slow-growing, single nodule. Histopathologically, it reveals a proliferation of polygonal cells with granular cytoplasm penetrating the adjacent muscles. In some cases, the overlying epithelium demonstrates pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH), which can complicate its precise diagnosis and may mimic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This paper presents a 58-year-old woman with a chief complaint of painless mass on the dorsal of the tongue for two years. The lesion was pink and circumscribed with firm consistency measuring 1×1cm. The surface of the lesion was intact. Microscopic examination demonstrated unencapsulated sheets of large, polygonal cells with abundant eosinophilic, granul-ar cytoplasm, and vesicular nuclei. The overlying epithelium showed florid PEH and keratin pearl formation. S100 protein was positive diffusely. The diagnosis of oral GCT was made. Though GCT is a non-aggressive lesion, it may be confused with SCC due to florid PEH and keratin pearl formation. Although PEH is a neglected topic among oral patholog-ists, it is of great importance in the field of research. Diagnosis can sometimes be problematic because they mimic other lesions. The pathogenesis of PEH is still uncertain. Therefore, familiarity with these characteristics and determining the cause of the PEH leads to correct treatment. This article intends to raise the insight of oral pathologists about PEH in oral lesions.

Abstract Electrofacies analysis conducted the distribution effects throughout the reservoir despite the difficulty of characterizing stratigraphic relationships. Clustering methods quantitatively define the reservoir zone from non-reservoir considering electrofacies. Asmari Formation is the most significant reservoir of the Mansouri oilfield in SW Iran, generally composed of carbonate and sandstone layers. The stratigraphical study is determined by employing 250 core samples from one exploratory well in the studied field. Five zones with the best reservoir quality in zones 3 and 5 containing sandstone/shale are determined. Moreover, multi-resolution graph-based and artificial neural network clustering involving six logs are employed. Utilizing Geolog software, an optimal model with eight clusters with better rock separation is obtained. Eventually, five electrofacies with different lithological compositions and reservoir conditions are identified and based on lithofacies describing thin sections, sandstone, and shale in zones 3 and 5 show high reservoir quality. According to the depth related to these zones, most of the facies that exist in these depths include sandstone and dolomite facies, and this is affected by the two factors of the primary sedimentary texture and the effect of the diagenesis process on them. Results can compared to the clustering zone determination in other nearby sandstone reservoirs without cores.

Abstract Rock types are the reservoir's most essential properties for special facies modeling in a defined range of porosity and permeability. This study used clustering techniques to identify rock types in 280 core samples from one of the wells drilled in the Asmari reservoir in the Mansouri field, SW Iran. Four hydraulic flow units (HFUs) were determined for studied data utilizing histogram analysis, normal probability analysis, and the sum of squared errors (SSE) statistical methods. Then, two flow zone index (FZI) and fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering methods were used to determine the rock types in the given well according to the results obtained from the HFU continuity index acts in-depth. The FCM method, with a continuity number of 3.12, compared to the FZI, with a continuity number of 2.77, shows more continuity in depth. The relationship between permeability and porosity improved considerably by utilizing HFU techniques. This improvement is achieved using the FZI method study. Generally, all samples increased from 0.55 to 0.81 in the first HFU and finally to 0.94 in the fourth HFU. Similar flow properties in an HFU characterized the samples. In comparison, the correlation coefficients obtained in the FCM method are less than those in the general case of all HFUs. This study aims to determine the flowing fluid in the porous medium of the Asmari reservoir employing the c-mean fuzzy logic. Also, by determining the facies of the rock units, especially the siliceous-clastic facies and log data in the Asmari Formation, the third and fourth flow units have the highest reservoir quality and permeability. Results can be compared to determining HFU in nearby wellbores without cores.

Abstract Proper nutrition plays a vital role in modulating oxidative status. There is an increasing popularity of plant-based dietary patterns among athletes. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the plant-based diet index (PDI) score among male footballers and their non-athlete controls, as well as its relationship with oxidative biomarkers by evaluating the urinary excretion of F2alpha-isoprostane (F2a-IP) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). A group of footballers (n = 45) and a healthy non-athlete group (n = 45) were selected. The two groups were matched based on body mass index (BMI) and age. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of the subjects was 22.88 (2.41) years, and their BMI was 22.08 (1.35) kg/m2. Anthropometric indices were evaluated, and fasting morning urine samples were analyzed to measure oxidative biomarkers. The PDI, unhealthy plant-based diet index (uPDI), and healthy plant-based diet index (hPDI) were calculated using valid food frequency questionnaire data. Generalized estimating equation models were used for all analyses. Compared to the non-athlete group, the PDI score was significantly greater in the footballer group (β = 9.8; P

Background: The Circle of Willis (CoW) forms a critical collateral route for the compensation pathway at the basal cistern of the brain. This study aims to determine if migraine headaches and cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) are associated with the prevalence and patterns of CoW arterial variations seen in the three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography technique in patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken by a systemic search of electronic databases in the Imaging Center, Abadan’s Taleghani Hospital, Iran, from March 2020 to March 2022. Data on the prevalence of variations in patients who presented for screening for migraine and CVA were extracted and analyzed with Student t-test and the Chi-square method. Results: Findings show complete CoW has been visible in 20.19% of our patients. The anterior part of the CoW was almost intact in all patients. The posterior part of CoW was mostly bilaterally hypoplastic (31.73%) or bilateral aplastic (29.81%) and in some rare cases unilaterally varied. In migraine patients, CoW was rarely in its classic form (15%) and was varied bilaterally in 72.5% of the cases. In CVA patients, CoW was in its complete vascular structure in 23.08% and bilaterally varied in 46.15% of all cases. Conclusions: Overall, migraine and CVA are associated with anatomical variations in the posterior portions of the CoW. Further larger prospective trials are needed to determine the true prevalence of CoW variations and their pathological significance.

Abstract Introduction Understanding the mechanisms and identifying effective treatments for the COVID-19 outbreak are imperative. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the antioxidant status and oxidative stress parameters as potential pivotal mechanisms in asymptomatic, non-severe, and severe COVID-19 patients. Methods This study is a case–control study that was performed on patients referred to the Persian Gulf Martyrs Hospital of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran, from May 2021 to September 2021. A total of 600 COVID-19 patients (non-severe and severe group) and 150 healthy volunteers of the same age and sex were selected during the same period. On the first day of hospitalization, 10 ml of venous blood was taken from subjects. Then, hematological, biochemical, serological, antioxidant and oxidative stress parameters were determined. Results Our results indicated that ESR, CRP, AST, ALT, and LDH significantly augmented in the severe group as compared to the non-severe and normal groups (P ≤ 0.05). It was observed that the levels of FRAP, G6PD activity, and SOD activity significantly reduced in the non-severe patients in comparison with the severe and normal groups (P ≤ 0.05). We found that MDA content and NO metabolite markedly increased in severe patients as compared to the non-severe group. Conclusions Taken together, it seems that the balance between antioxidants and oxidants was disturbed in COVID-19 patients in favor of oxidant markers. In addition, this situation caused more aggravation in severe patients as compared to the non-severe group.

Introduction: Female infertility is responsible for approximately half of all cases of infertility and one of the causes of infertility in women is related to ovarian disorders. Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is one of the clinical markers of ovarian reserve. Physical activity may affect the reproductive system and AMH concentration in serum. We aim to evaluate the relationship between physical activity and reproductive determining fertility and anti-mullerin hormone (AMH) in infertile women in northern Iran. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 234 women aged 18–45 referred to the Infertility Clinic of the Al-Zahra Hospital, Rasht, Iran. The reproductive characteristics and the amount of physical activity of the patients were recorded. Exclusion criteria included menopause, cancer, underlying endocrine diseases, use of hormonal drugs, diagnosis of PCOS based on Rotterdam criteria, any ovarian and uterine surgery, and endometriosis. Results: As expected, we observed significantly lower AMH concentrations in older participants. There was no association between reproductive determinants and AMH level (P> 0.05). We observed lack of physical activity as well as vigorous physical activity, is associated with lower AMH concentration (P= 0.025, and P= 0.039 respectively). Conclusion: In this study, AMH levels appear to be significantly lower in patients with a lack of physical activity as well as vigorous physical activity. The results of this study showed that by improving lifestyle, including the appropriate amount of physical activity, it may be possible to improve the results of infertility treatments. However, a larger study is needed to verify the findings of this study.

Background Research impact assessment is already being institutionalized in health research and innovation systems. In developing countries, there are many different research assessment models which have focused more on research output in academic levels and less on impact. Objective The aim of this study is designing an Iranian impact-oriented model of research and technology evaluation. Method This is a mixed study. In the quantitative part, by reviewing the literature, a list of research impact indicators that existed were gathered, reviewed, and scored by participants on importance, relevance, and measurability via a 5-point Likert scale. All indicators with a mean score equal to or greater than 3.5 entered the qualitative part, which were discussed in depth by engaging key stakeholders regarding their validity and feasibility through focus groups, interviews, and expert panels. Results The Iranian research impact evaluation model was developed with four main pillars (including input and process, output, outcome, and impact), four areas (stewardship, advancing knowledge and translation, technology, and impact), and 30 indicators through key stakeholders participation in the Iranian health research system. Conclusions This model has been introduced as the first model designed to evaluate the impact of health research and can be one of the most important tools for allocating limited funding resources while maximizing the desired impact of research in the community.

Abstract Recently, several researches have been done to improve the perfomance of solar chimney power plants (SCPP) and increase their low output power during hours when the solar radiation is limited. In this study, by combining a SCPP and a gas power plant, the output power is increased and the power output of the combined power plant can be gained at all hours of the day and night. Pipes are buried under the ground and the outlet hot gas from gas power plant flows through the buried pipes instead of being released into the atmosphere through the stacks. Flowing of hot gas through the buried pipes at the soil under the canopy increases the temperature of soil which is exposed to the solar radiation. Increasing of the soil temperature leads to the growth in the value of air temperature under the canopy. The air density reduces as the air temperature increases which leads to the increase of air velocity and output power. By applying the buried pipes, the output power is not zero during the hours when there is no radiation flux. The results for air temperature, heat loss and output power are studied in detail and it is shown that the use of buried pipes in which hot gas flows leads to the increase of the output power of SCPP by 554%, 208% and 125% at the radiation flux of 200 W/m2, 500 W/m2 and 800 W/m2, respectively.

Abstract Cold atmospheric plasma has been developed and utilized as a novel technique for skin rejuvenation because of its various effects on cells and living things. This study investigated the accuracy of this claim and any possible side effects of using spark plasma to rejuvenate skin. The present work is the first quantitative investigation using animal models. 12 Wistar rats were divided into two groups for this investigation. To compare the skin's natural process with the treated skin, the first group underwent a single session of plasma therapy, while the second group served as the control group. The back of the necks of the samples was shaved for 20 cm. Before beginning treatment, the MPA9 multifunctional skin tester was used to determine the melanin index, erythema index, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The skin's thickness and density were assessed using sonography, and its elasticity index was calculated using a Cutometer. The samples were exposed to plasma radiation in the designated area (in a triangular pattern). The abovementioned signs were examined immediately after the following therapy and at the weekly appointment 2–4 weeks later. Optical spectroscopy was also used to demonstrate the presence of active species. In this study, we found that a plasma spark therapy session significantly boosts skin elasticity, and the ultrasound results revealed a significantly increased skin thickness and density. The plasma increased the amount of skin surface evaporation, erythema, and melanin immediately following the treatment. However, 4 weeks later, it recovered to its former state and did not differ significantly from before the therapy.

The emergence of antibiotic resistance, caused by the improper use of antibiotics, is a significant challenge in combating infectious diseases, leading to millions of annual fatalities. The occurrence of antimicrobial side effects catalyzes the investigation of novel antimicrobial compounds and sources of drugs. Consequently, the research on biological activity that is conducted on plants, plant extracts, and compounds that are produced from plant components is of utmost significance. In this study, CtAC/MNPs were obtained by the reaction of activated carbon (AC) obtained from the fruits of the Celtis tournefortii (Ct) plant and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), and a CtAC/MNPs-Ag nanocomposite was synthesized by the reduction in silver ions added to the reaction. The synthesized CtAC/MNPs and CtAC/MNPs-Ag nanocomposites were analyzed spectroscopically (FTIR, XRD), microscopically (SEM, EDX), optically (DLS), electrochemically (zeta potential) and magnetically (VSM). The antibacterial activities of CtAC/MNPs and CtAC/MNPs-Ag nanocomposites against S. aureus and E. coli were investigated by microdilution method using minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disk diffusion methods. Antioxidant activity study, including total phenolic content and DPPH and cuprac assays, revealed the remarkable effect of the CtAC/MNPs-Ag nanocomposite. This study has the advantages of obtaining CtAC/MNPs and CtAC/MNPs-Ag nanocomposites in a short time without requiring energy, and most importantly, the reaction takes place without using any toxic substances. In addition, according to the data obtained in the study, the CtAC/MNPs-Ag nanocomposite is thought to shed light on biomedical research.

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with significant morbidity/mortality. AF-ablation is an increasingly used treatment. Currently, first-time AF-ablation success is 40-80% at 1-year, depending on individual factors. There is growing evidence for improved outcomes through management of AF risk-factors/comorbidities via patient education/exercise-rehabilitation. There are no studies assessing combined prehabilitation/rehabilitation in this cohort. The aim of this randomised controlled trial is to assess efficacy of comprehensive prehabilitation/rehabilitation and combining supervised exercise-training with AF risk-factor modification/education compared with standard care in people undergoing first-time AF ablation.MethodsThis single-centre pragmatic randomised controlled trial will recruit 106 adults with paroxysmal/persistent AF listed for first-time AF-ablation. Participants will be randomised 1:1 to cardiac prehabilitation/rehabilitation/education (CREED AF) intervention or standard care. Both groups will undergo AF-ablation at 8-weeks post-randomisation as per usual care. The CREED AF intervention will involve 6-weeks of prehabilitation (before AF-ablation) followed by 6-weeks rehabilitation (after AF-ablation) consisting of risk factor education/modification and supervised exercise training. Standard care will include a single 30-minute session of risk-factor education. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 10-weeks and 12-months post AF-ablation, by researchers blinded to treatment allocation. The primary outcome is cardiorespiratory-fitness (peak oxygen uptake, VO2peak) assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) at 10-weeks post-ablation. Secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life, AF recurrence/burden assessed by 7-day Holter-monitor, requirement for repeat AF-ablation, study defined major adverse cardiovascular events, and cost-effectiveness (incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY)).ConclusionsThis study will assess clinical-efficacy/cost-effectiveness of comprehensive prehabilitation/rehabilitation/patient-education for people undergoing first time AF-ablation. Results will inform clinical care and design of future multi-centre clinical trials.Trial registrationURL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT06042231.Date registered: September 18, 2023.

Key Clinical Message We report a 47‐year‐old man who presented with right‐sided heart failure. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a tunnel‐shaped communication (ventricular septal defect) between the left ventricle and the right ventricle with a significant left‐to‐right shunt. The VSD is connected to the lateral wall of the right ventricle by a large tunnel.

Background: Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is recognized as a major threat to human public health. Obviously, accurate and in-depth identification of patients’ help-seeking behavior not only explains the process but also is able to identify the related factors, challenges, strengths, and weaknesses, and depicts participants' expectations for optimization and improvement. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted based on content analysis and through individual interviews (in person and by phone) with people with a history of COVID-19 disease until data saturation was reached between June and September 2020 in Tehran, Iran. Findings: In this study, 15 in-depth individual interviews were conducted. Strengths, weaknesses, and strategies to improve the help-seeking behavior were extracted in four levels: individual, family, social, and health system. The most important strengths were self-care (individual level), empathy of family members (family), charitable activities (social), and human resources (health system). The most important weaknesses in these levels included lack of attention to health protocols, lack of requirements for full quarantine, economic problems, and lack of proper monitoring by the health system. Conclusion: The most important and key element to improve the help-seeking behavior is human resources and promoting the individual capabilities in various aspects.

Introduction: Longitudinal melanonychia (LM) is a common clinical condition that is mostly identified by the presence of longitudinal, demarcated, and pigmented bands on the nail. Different benign or malignant pathologies can present with longitudinal melanonychia. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the frequency of dermoscopic features of LM in patients with LM referred to dermatology clinics in Guilan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This case-series study was conducted on 30 patients with LM who were referred to Besat clinic and Razi hospital, Rasht, Iran, from March 2022 to August 2022 with a complaint of LM. Demographical data and dermoscopic findings of patients were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 21. The LM and dermoscopic features were investigated using a dermatoscope (HEINE IC1, HEINE Optotechnik, Germany). Results: Out of 30 patients, 24 patients were female and 6 patients were male with a mean age of 30.08 ± 14.31 years old. Among these patients, five patients had a family history of LM, one patient with melanoma had Hutchinson’s sign, and three patients had pseudo-Hutchinson’s sign. The mean width of lesions of the nail was 2.42±2.12 mm with a mean time of onset of 7.42 ± 7.12 months. Also, the majority of the involved site of LM was hand (26.6%). Conclusion: According to our study, LM was more frequent in females and the trauma-related lesions of the nail were the most common dermatological findings among the patients.

Abstract The prognostic value of abnormal resting Pd/Pa and coronary flow reserve (CFR) after fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided revascularisation deferral according to sex remains unknown. From the ILIAS Registry composed of 20 hospitals globally from 7 countries, patients with deferred lesions following FFR assessment (FFR > 0.8) were included. (NCT 04485234) The primary clinical endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF) at 2-years follow-up. We included 1392 patients with 1759 vessels (n = 564 women, 31.9%). Although resting Pd/Pa was similar between the sexes (p = 0.116), women had lower CFR than men (2.5 [2.0–3.2] vs. 2.7 [2.1–3.5]; p = 0.004). During a 2-year follow-up period, TVF events occurred in 56 vessels (3.2%). The risk of 2-year TVF was significantly higher in women with low versus high resting Pd/Pa (HR: 9.79; p

Introduction: Information on epidemiologic trends of dermatophytosis and its causative agents is essential for the healthcare system to improve its knowledge of associated complications. The main purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of fungal strains and the infection sites of patients with dermatophytosis. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the demographical data and clinical characteristics of 641 patients with a positive fungal culture who were referred to Razi pathobiological laboratory, Rasht, Iran, between 2016-2021 were collected. All data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21 by a significant level of < 0.05. Results: Out of 641 patients, 70% were female and the mean age of patients was 43.98 ± 16.99 years. Laboratory analysis demonstrated that Candida Albicans (44/9%), Aspergillus (31/8%), and Dermatophytes (18%) were the most common causes of superficial cutaneous fungal infections. Among the dermatophytes, the most common pathogens were Trichophyton mentagrophytes (53%) and Trichophyton Rubrum (20.8%), also, the most common site of infection was nail (64.4%). Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of Candida Albicans and Aspergillus, especially in females, it is important to determine preventive protocols for fungal infections and better clinical management of the patients involved.

Abstract Ectopic pancreatic tissue is a rare congenital abnormality defined as the abnormal location of pancreatic tissue outside the anatomical site of the pancreas without any anatomical or vascular connection to it, which is often discovered incidentally. This is a case of a 40‐year‐old man who was admitted to our surgical department for emergency cholecystectomy due to acute gangrenous cholecystitis. Preoperative ultrasound imaging was indicative only of multiple stones in the gallbladder. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed an area of wall thickening in the neck region of the gallbladder consists of ectopic pancreatic tissue. We emphasize the role of a precise pathologic examination even in routine surgical specimens such as a cholecystectomy specimen, since no preoperative evaluation can be affirmative of such incidental but momentous histopathologic findings. Anatomical pathologists must be aware of the rare presentation of Ectopic Pancreatic Tissue (EPT) in gallbladder which may masquerade as a malignancy.

Key Clinical Message Infantile liver failure type 2 is described as repeated attacks of liver dysfunction with remission. This syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any child with symptoms of recurrent hepatic encephalopathy. Abstract Infantile liver failure syndrome 2 is described as recurrent attacks of liver dysfunction. ILFS2 should be included in the differential diagnosis of children with frequent and acute liver failure. We present a 2.5‐year‐old boy with clinical manifestation of acute liver failure. In past, he had two similar attacks.

Objective: Scarcity of oocytes for assisted reproduction in endangered species can be bypassed by interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT). In Felids, domestic cat (Felis catus) oocytes can serve as recipients for the nucleus of the endangered Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor). However, in vitro oocyte maturation is still suboptimal in cats, whereas it has been reported to benefit from micro-vibration in non-felid species. Therefore, thepresent study is aimed to determine whether micro-vibration, applied during in vitro maturation (IVM), improves the embryogenic potential of cat oocytes transplanted with fibroblast nuclei of the Persian leopard.Materials and Methods: In the experimental study, cat cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were randomly assignedto the treatment group (micro-vibration) or control group (static culture). Resultant metaphase II (MII) oocytes were enucleated and reconstructed with nucleus transplants from leopard fibroblasts, followed by artificial oocyte activation and embryo culture under the same condition (static) for 7 days.Results: While cumulus cell expansion and oocyte maturation profited from micro-vibration (P0.05).Conclusion: The present study indicated that micro-vibration at a frequency of 44 Hz for 5 secs per hour enhanced nuclear maturation and cumulus cell expansion of cat oocytes. However, exposure to micro-vibration during IVM impaired the survival rate of reconstructed oocytes during the iSCNT process and their developmental competence toward the blastocyst stage.

Abstract Considering the presence of 274 dusty days in 2021 in Zabol city, Iran, the present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using treated sewage effluent (TSE) for dust mitigation with natural methods of increasing land cover. Hence, first of all, the identification of sewage treatment facilities along with the volume and chemical status was carried out and compared to the various national and international legislation. Then, field investigation on land use and land cover, along with literature review on dust origins, sand detachment areas, and sand corridors in the study area will be assisted for optimal area suggestion. Note that, in the present study it was assumed that the application of TSE for wetting the surface to vegetation restoration resulted in wind erosion control in critical foci. The results showed that, so far, a total of 39,000 m3/day could be treated, in the whole study area. The TSE volume calculated based on two scenarios consisting, (1) data obtained from the related organization, and (2) based the capacity of the wastewater plant is 2.8 and 5.1 mcm/year, respectively. Additionally, the study of TSE quality and its comparison to various regulation such as FAO, USEPA, INS, and CWQI indicated the applicability of transforming TSE to 14 km away from the WWT planet daily for rehabilitation of Hammon Hirmand through irrigation of T.stricta to increase the vegetation cover to above 30%.

Objective: Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a challenging issue encountered during assisted reproductive technology. Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) belong to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily which are essential for folliculogenesis. We aimed to the evaluationof the GDF9 and BMP15 expression in the granulosa cells (GCs) of DOR patients.Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 14 women with DOR and 12 controls, who were between 28-40 years of age undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation with a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol. DOR patients were selected by the Bologna criteria. The GCs were extracted from the aspirated follicular fluids and RNA isolated from this. The fold change of gene expressions was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results: GDF9 expression in patients was 0.23 times lower than the control group, which was significant (P

Introduction: The Dichotomous Thinking in Eating Disorders Scale (DTEDS) is a short, self- assessment of the presence of a rigid, “black-and-white” cognitive thinking style. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of Dichotomous Thinking in eating disorders in Iran.Methods: For this purpose, a sample of 362 women with nutritional problems referring to health centers, nutrition clinics, and beauty institutes of Shiraz (2019-2020) were selected by convenience sampling method and Eating Attitudes Scale. In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, participants responded to the Persian version of Dichotomous Thinking Eating Disorders and Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scales. Finally, based on the data collected, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, convergent and divergent validity were employed to determine the construct validity. Moreover, the reliability of the questionnaire was assessed via internal consistency (Cronbach alpha).Results: factor analysis supported the original two-factor model of the questionnaire, and fit indices indicated a good model fit. The questionnaire's convergent and divergent validity and internal consistency were also adequate. For two factors, Cronbach’s alpha ranges from 0.74 to 0.88, suggesting satisfactory reliability of the Persian version of the DTEDS.Conclusion: The Persian version of the DTEDS has adequate validity and reliability in Iranian society and is a good self-report for research and clinical settings.

Key Clinical Message The etiology of hepatoblastoma (HB) is still unknown; several risk factors have been identified. The only risk factor for the development of HB in presented case was the child's father using anabolic androgenic steroids. It may be a risk factor for developing HB in their children. Abstract HB is the most common primary liver cancer in children. Its etiology is still unclear. The patient's father's use of androgenic anabolic steroids could be a risk factor for developing HB in his child. A 14‐month‐old girl was hospitalized with intermittent fever, severe abdominal distention, and anorexia. On initial examination, she was cachectic and pale. There were two hemangioma‐like skin lesions in the back. Huge hepatomegaly was found and the ultrasound showed a hepatic hemangioma. The possibility of malignancy was considered due to the severe enlargement of the liver and the increased levels of the alpha‐fetoprotein. An abdominopelvic CT scan was performed and finally, the diagnosis of HB was confirmed by pathology. There was no history of congenital anomalies or risk factors for HB. Also we did not find any risk factors in the mother's history either. The only positive finding in the father's history was the use of anabolic steroids for bodybuilding. Anabolic‐androgenic anabolic steroids may be one of the possible causes of HB in children.

Abstract Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is observed in many brain disorders. Obesity has been linked to ICP pathogenesis in disorders such as idiopathic intracranial pressure (IIH). We investigated the effect of diet induced obesity (DIO) on ICP and clinically relevant sequelae. Rats were fed either a control or high fat diet. Following weight gain long term ICP, headache behavior, body composition and retinal outcome were examined. Post-hoc analysis of retinal histology and molecular analysis of choroid plexus and trigeminal ganglion (TG) were performed. DIO rats demonstrated raised ICP by 55% which correlated with the abdominal fat percentage and increased non-respiratory slow waves, suggestive of altered cerebral compliance. Concurrently, DIO rats demonstrated a specific cephalic cutaneous allodynia which negatively correlated with the abdominal fat percentage. This sensitivity was associated with increased expression of headache markers in TG. Additionally, DIO rats had increased retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in vivo associated with raised ICP with a subsequent post-hoc demonstration of neuroretinal degeneration. This study demonstrates for the first time that DIO leads to raised ICP and subsequent clinically relevant symptom development. This novel model of non-traumatic raised ICP could expand the knowledge regarding disorders with elevated ICP such as IIH.

Objective(s): Metformin (Met) and Liraglutide (Lira) have been approved to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and have cardioprotective effects. Materials and Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with Met, Lira, or their combination in this study. Results: Results showed that the synergistic inhibitory effect of the two drugs on HUVECs proliferation was significant (75%) after 48 hr drug exposure. In addition, either Lira or Met alone had a marked tendency to inhibit the migration of HUVECs (42% and 39%). Almost a complete inhibition (97%) was demonstrated in combinational use after 48 hr treatment. After combining these two drugs, the apoptosis rate raised to 68%, which was a significant approval of synergistic apoptosis induction of Met and Lira. The combinational group indicated a substantial increase in VEGF, PDGF, and MMP-9 at 24 hr compared with the control. Conclusion: This study showed that combination therapy with Lira and Met could effectively reduce cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and inhibit cell migration in the HUVECs. This study provides evidence to support using Met in combination with Lira as a treatment option for patients with type-2 diabetes and cancer.

Abstract Previous studies suggested adherence to recently developed Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) associated with cognitive performance. This study aimed to examine the effect of MIND dietary pattern on cognitive performance features and changes in brain structure in healthy obese women. As a total of 50 obese women were assessed for eligibility, we randomly allocated 40 participants with mean BMI 32 ± 4.31 kg/m2 and mean age 48 ± 5.38 years to either calorie-restricted modified MIND diet or a calorie-restricted standard control diet. Change in cognitive performance was the primary outcome measured with a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. We also performed voxel-based morphometry as a secondary outcome to quantify the differences in brain structure. All of the measurements were administered at baseline and 3 months follow-up. Thirty-seven participants (MIND group = 22 and control group = 15) completed the study. The results found in the MIND diet group working memory + 1.37 (95% CI 0.79, 1.95), verbal recognition memory + 4.85 (95% CI 3.30, 6.40), and attention + 3.75 (95% CI 2.43, 5.07) improved more compared with the control group (ps

Effective smoking cessation medications (SCM) are available and are recommended for the treatment of tobacco smoking. In this study, we evaluated rate and factors associated with successful quitting among individuals who supported their quit attempt using SCMs in Australia. An observational online cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of smokers and ex-smokers in Australia. A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate socio-demographic, psychological, smoking, and medication use characteristics. The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence scale was used to assess the level of nicotine addiction. Logistic regression used to identify factors associated with smoking cessation. Of the 201 respondents, 33.3% had successfully quit smoking. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline, and bupropion were used by 71.6%, 19.9%, and 8.5% respectively. The rate of quitting was 30.6%, 47.5%, and 23.5% for participants who used NRT, varenicline, and bupropion, respectively. Six in ten (59.6%) of the participants who were adherent to SCMs reported continuous abstinence. Whereas 22.9% reported quitting among participants who were nonadherent to SCMs. Adherence to SCMs was significantly associated with increased rate of quitting (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI of 1.17–6.10). Additionally, having smoke-free home was associated with successful smoking cessation (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI of 1.13–4.90). In conclusion, one in three participants self-reported that they successfully quit smoking. Adherence to SCMs and smoke-free home were strongly associated with quitting. Smoking cessation programs and future studies are recommended to incorporate medication adherence as a core component. Home-targeted and family-inclusive interventions are recommended to manage smoke-free homes and enhance success of quitting attempts.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways. We assessed the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative impacts of quercetin, a plant derivative, on inflammatory and oxidative indices in lung tissue and serum of rats with asthma.Asth ma was induced by ovalbumin. Rats were divided into 4 groups: control, asthma+vehicle (Receieved normal saline), asthma+dexamethasone, and asthma+quercetin. After asthma induction, quercetin (50 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (2.5 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally once daily for 1 week. On day 50, lung histopathology indices; inflammatory factors; tissue gene expression, including GATA Binding Protein 3 (Gata-3), Tbx21 (T-bet), Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Il10 (IL-10), Il1b (IL-1β), Il6 (IL-6), Acta2 (α-SMA), and Tnf (TNF-α); and oxidative stress indices (malondialdehyde [MDA], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GPX], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and total antioxidant capacity [TAC]) in tissue and serum, were evaluated. The results showed that quercetin reduced Gata3, Tnf, Tgfb1, Il1b, and Acta2 gene expression and increased Tbx21 gene expression following asthma. Quercetin also improved oxidative stress by decreasing MDA levels and increasing TAC, CAT, SOD, and GPX levels in serum and lung tissue. Furthermore, quercetin decreased IL6 and TNFα levels and increased IL10 levels in lung tissue after asthma was treated with quercetin. Quercetin ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammation caused by asthma, especially at the tissue level. Therefore, quercetin can be considered a potent antiasthmatic agent.

Key clinical Message Acknowledging the risk factors of mortality and morbidity of each disease is effective for its final outcome. Recognizing these cases can have the value of preventing the occurrence of unfortunate events, such as not recommending the use diclofenac in an influenza epidemic.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease which any organ can be involved. Soft tissue lesions are rare manifestations of brucellosis. Brucella breast abscess in animal is not uncommon; involvement of the breast in human brucella is extremely rare. Breast abscess involvement was reported to 0.7% of the patient with brucellosis. We report the microbiological findings of breast abscess due to brucella. A 38-year-old woman living in the rural area of Kerman, Iran, presented with an abscess in the right breast. The sampling of the abscess aspiration and preparation of smears showed inflammatory fluid. Culture and PCR performed from the sample identified the presence of Brucella melitensis. The lesion had diminished in size after 8 weeks of treatment with combined doxycycline and rifampin. The possibility of breast abscess being caused by Brucella should be considered in countries, especially in endemic regions. Besides, isolated Brucella spp from microbiological cultures is important for a definitive diagnosis.

Background and Aim: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is defined as bleeding occuring from a site proximal to the ligament of Trietz, which can present as hematemesis, melena, and hematochezia. Epidemiological studies on pediatric upper gastrointestinal bleeding were limited and its accurate incidence is not clear. This study deals with epidemiological investigation of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in hospitalized children. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional-descriptive retrospective study. Medical records of the children under 14 years of age who had been hospitalized in Besat Hospital in Sanandaj for upper gastrointestinal bleeding over the past seven years (2011-2017) were reviewed. Demographic data and endoscopic results obtained from the medical records were recorded in the questionnaires. Using SPSS 20 software, statistical analysis was performed. Results: Our study included 121 medical records. 64.5% of the patients were male. The mean age of the children was 5.66 years and the duration of hospitalization was 3.13 days. Among the patients, 77% were urban dwellers, 95% presented with hematemesis. 8.3% were treated with mechanical ventilation, and 5.8% had coagulation disorders. Endoscopic results showed that 45.5% of the children had prolapse gastropathy and 15.7% had Mallory Weiss syndrome. Conclusion: According to our results, the most common manifestation of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children was hematemesis and the most common cause of it was prolapse gastropathy.

The heart is a vital and complex organ in the human body that forms with most organs between the second week of pregnancy, and fetal heart rate is an important indicator or biological index to know the condition of fetal well-being. In general, long-term measurement of fetal heart rate is the most widely used method of providing information about fetal health. In addition to fetal life, growth, and maturity, information such as congenital heart disease, often due to structural or functional defects in heart structure that often occur during the first trimester of pregnancy during fetal development, can be detected by continuous monitoring of fetal heart rate. The gold standard for monitoring the fetus's health is the use of non-invasive methods and portable devices so that while maintaining the health of the mother and fetus, it provides the possibility of continuous monitoring, especially for mothers who have a high-risk pregnancy. Therefore, the present study aimed to propose a low-cost, compact, and portable device for recording the heart rate of 18-day-old fetal mouse heart cells. Introduced device allows non-invasive heart rate monitoring instantly and without side effects for mouse fetal heart cells. One-dimensional gold-plated plasmonic specimens as a physiological signal recorder are mainly chips with nanoarray of resonant nanowire patterns perform in an integrated platform. Here the surface plasmon waves generated in a one-dimensional plasmonic sample are paired with an electrical wave from the heart pulse, and this two-wave pairing is used to record and detect the heart rate of fetal heart cells with high accuracy and good sensitivity. This measurement was performed in normal mode and two different stimulation modes. Stimulation of cells was performed once using adrenaline and again with electrical stimulation. Our results show that our sensor is sensitive enough to detect heart rate in both standard and excitatory states and is also well able to detect and distinguish between changes in heart rate caused by different excitatory conditions.

Abstract Background Obesity confers adverse effects to every system in the body including the central nervous system. Obesity is associated with both migraine and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The mechanisms underlying the association between obesity and these headache diseases remain unclear. Methods We conducted a narrative review of the evidence in both humans and rodents, for the putative mechanisms underlying the link between obesity, migraine and IIH. Results Truncal adiposity, a key feature of obesity, is associated with increased migraine morbidity and disability through increased headache severity, frequency and more severe cutaneous allodynia. Obesity may also increase intracranial pressure and could contribute to headache morbidity in migraine and be causative in IIH headache. Weight loss can improve both migraine and IIH headache. Preclinical research highlights that obesity increases the sensitivity of the trigeminovascular system to noxious stimuli including inflammatory stimuli, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unelucidated. Conclusions This review highlights that at the epidemiological and clinical level, obesity increases morbidity in migraine and IIH headache, where weight loss can improve headache morbidity. However, further research is required to understand the molecular underpinnings of obesity related headache in order to generate novel treatments.

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases are considered as the leading cause of death and almost 80% of deaths from this disease are developed in poor and less developed countries where early detection facilities are less available, along with overlooking the importance of screening. In other words, real-time monitoring of the physiological signals using flexible and wearable biosensors plays an important role in human life style. Thus, the present study aims to propose two dimensional flexible and wearable gold covered plasmonic samples as a physiological signal recorder, in which chips with nano array of resonant nanowire patterns performing in an integrated platform of plasmonic devices. The produced surface plasmon waves in our main chip were paired with an electric wave from the heart pulse and it use for recording and detecting the heartbeat of a toad with high accuracy. This measurement was performed in normal state and under external laser heating process to check the ability of signal recording and also thermoplasmonic effect onto the toad's heart signal. Our results show that our sensor was enough sensitive for detection while raising the body temperature of the toad and changing its heart rate as flatting T and P waves by thermoplasmonic effect.

Abstract Among various types of nanostructures, carbon nanotube (CNT) is one of the most important nanostructures. These nanostructures have been considered due to their mechanical, thermal, and vibrational properties. In this research, this nanostructure’s vibrational behavior in the vicinity of argon flow in the vicinity of ultrasonic velocity was investigated. The effect of factors such as the stability of atomic structures, the atomic manner of carbon nanotubes in the presence of ultrasonic fluid, the influence of carbon nanotubes’ length, and the chirality of carbon nanotubes on vibrational behavior was studied by molecular dynamics simulation. The MD simulations display an enhance in amplitude and a decrease in the oscillation frequency. Physically, these simulations’ results indicated the appropriate mechanical strength of carbon nanotubes in the presence of argon fluid. Numerically, the simulated carbon nanotubes’ minimum oscillation amplitude and frequency were equal to 2.02 nm and 10.14 ps−1. On the other hand, the maximum physical quantities were expressed as 4.03 nm and 13.01 ps−1.

Abstract In this study, the influence of different volume fractions ( $$\phi$$ ϕ ) of nanoparticles and temperatures on the dynamic viscosity ( $$\mu_{nf}$$ μ nf ) of MWCNT–Al2O3 (30–70%)/oil SAE40 hybrid nanofluid was examined by ANN. For this reason, the $$\mu_{nf}$$ μ nf was derived for 203 various experiments through a series of experimental tests, including a combination of 7 different $$\phi$$ ϕ , 6 various temperatures, and 5 shear rates. These data were then used to train an artificial neural network (ANN) to generalize results in the predefined ranges for two input parameters. For this reason, a feed-forward perceptron ANN with two inputs (T and $$\phi$$ ϕ ) and one output ( $$\mu_{nf}$$ μ nf ) was used. The best topology of the ANN was determined by trial and error, and a two-layer with 10 neurons in the hidden layer with the tansig function had the best performance. A well-trained ANN is created using the trainbr algorithm and showed an MSE value of 4.3e−3 along 0.999 as a correlation coefficient for predicting $$\mu_{nf}$$ μ nf . The results show that an increase $$\phi$$ ϕ has a significant effect on $$\mu_{nf}$$ μ nf value. As $$\phi$$ ϕ increases, the viscosity of this nanofluid increases at all temperatures. On the other hand, with increasing temperature, the viscosity of this nanofluid decreases. Based on all of the diagrams presented for the trained ANNs, we can conclude that a well-trained ANN can be used as an approximating function for predicting the $$\mu_{nf}$$ μ nf .

Background: Although various studied have been done to improve therapeutic strategies in resolving spinal cord injuries, robust clinical treatment is not yet available. Developing a standard animal model is essential to achieve effective treatment for such injuries. The present study was performed to introduce a simple, applicable, and minimally invasive approach for access to epidural space in cats. Methods: We used a percutaneous approach from the lumbosacral junction for stainless steel cannula insertion to the epidural space without fluoroscopy. CT scan, conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), tractography, and behavioral evaluation were used to assess the correct position of the cannula and the neurological condition of the animal. Results: MRI results showed no significant change in signal intensity index of neural structures under lumbosacral junction. These observations are further supported by tractography, and also behavioral examination during the study. Conclusion: We found that the percutaneous approach from the lumbosacral junction is a simple and applicable approach that has no side effects and artifact formation in MRI evaluation.

Background: Since Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness, the identification of contributed risk factors is crucial. In recent years, great attention has been paid to maternal factors. The reason is that maternal factors can directly affect fetus via intrauterine hypoxia. However, the results of this studies are conflicting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal factors on the development of ROP. Methods: In a prospective study, 150 premature infants with the gestational age of less than 32 weeks and birth weight of less than 1500 grams were examined. They divided into two groups based on ophthalmologic examination; those with ROP and those without ROP. Variables of study including maternal age, injection of corticosteroid in the last week of pregnancy, history of maternal diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, hypertension, anemia, thyroid, renal, cardiovascular and rheumatologic diseases were compared between groups. Results: Forty-seven infants (31.33 %) had ROP. The mean age of gestational age was 27.89 weeks in ROP group and 29.06 weeks in non-ROP group. The mean birth weight was 1180.53 grams in ROP group and 1079.44 grams in non-ROP group. There were no statistically important differences regarding to maternal factors between two groups. Conclusion: The above mentioned maternal factors have no effect on the development of ROP.

Background and Aim: According to the WHO Commission on social determinants of health, identification of social determinants of health and collection of scientific evidence in this domain is essential for reducing health inequity. This is considered one of the main missions of social determinants of health research centers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of knowledge production in the county SDH research centers in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this 5-year cross-sectional study (2014 – 2018) 33 SDH research centers were assessed in regard to knowledge production indicators such as published articles, citation, H index, the high-quality publication (Q1), and international collaborations. Results: We found 4229 indexed articles which have been published by 334 faculty members/researchers of these research centers from 2014 to 2018. 11.9 percent of these articles have been published in high-quality research journals and 488 articles were produced with international collaboration. In 2018, the total number of citations to these articles published by these research centers from 2014 to 2018, was 4427 and the highest five-year H index was 26. According to the results of the research rankings, social determinants of health research centers of Kermanshah, Kurdistan, and Qazvin were ranked first to third, respectively. Conclusion: The trend of knowledge production in Iranian social determinants of health research centers has paralleled the trend of their citations and it is necessary to pay more attention to high-quality journals for publication of articles and expansion of international collaboration. Obviously, producing scientific documentation can be an effective source in health promotion policies and reduction of access gradients

Background and Aims: The stress, job satisfaction and depression can affect the performance of dental professionals in various fields. The aim of present study was to examin the level of stress, depression and job satisfaction among different specialized fields of dentistry in Zanjan provinc, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the depression, anxiety and stress scale questionnaire (DASS-21) and the Herzberg questionnaire were used to assess job satisfaction. The questionnaires were completed on the web, and the relevant link was sent to all specialists in different fields of dentistry in Zanjan province. Finally, 33 people participated in the study. Data were analyzed after appropriate code allocation using independent T-test and U-Mann Whitney tests and SPSS16. Results: The results showed the mean of stress (24.4), depression (17.48) and anxiety (13.28) among specialists. The mean of stress and anxiety among female dentists was higher than male specialists, but there was no significant difference between these two variables between the two sexes (P>0.05). In terms of job satisfaction, 21.2% were dissatisfied with their job. By gender, 26.6% of female specialists and 16.7% of male specialists were dissatisfied with their jobs. Conclusion: Despite the general perception that work conditions are suitable for dental specialists, these people suffer from the stresses, anxiety and depression and may not be satisfied with their job. As these conditions can affect the performance of these people in the workplace, it would be necessary to take measures, to identify, and to increase mental health and job satisfaction.