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Background: Reaching geriatric period is one of the greatest successes in human Beings. The older adults are predisposed to risk of many diseases and disabilities, and physical activity is one of the most efficient methods to prevent geriatric period disorders. Therefore, the present study aimed define the effect of an empowerment program on physical activity of the elderly residing in Shahid Rezaian health care center in 2014. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 70 older adults, age 65 years and over, selected through convenient sampling and assigned to groups of study and control. Study group was divided into 5 seven-member subgroups and a one-hour session of physical exercises was administrated for them once a week for eight sequential weeks. All subjects evaluated before and after intervention by International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Subjects' physical activity was scored, based on the personal activity protocol,and the results were compared. Significance level was considered as P<0.05. Results: Frequency distributions of the female subjects were 29 (82%) and 28 (80%) in study and control groups respectively. Mean (SD) scores of physical activity were 347.8 (174.1) and 321.7 (119.2) before intervention, and 641.3 (240.6) and 331.3 (101.5) after intervention in study and control groups respectively. Independent t-test showed a significant increase in physical activity score in study group, compared to control (t=4.06, P<0.001). Conclusions: The level of physical activity can be improved in the elderly through application of an empowerment program so as to take steps toward solving their immobility related problems and promoting their health through application of an empowerment program at this period of their life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barley is an important feed crop in Iran and is threatened by an increased frequency of drought. Increasing diversity in the form of evolutionary populations (EPs) and mixtures is one strategy to increase the resilience of crops. Four barley EPs, which have evolved in different locations over 7 to 10 years from the same original population, were evaluated for agronomic trait and stability together with two landraces, and one improved variety for three cropping seasons in four locations. Modest but significant differences were found only for plant height with a range of less than 4 cm. Stability, measured with cultivar superiority, as well as environmental variance and reliability measures generally indicated a superior stability of EPs—with two of them ranking first and second for grain yield reliability—but also differences between the EPs. The effect of recurrent droughts on the diversity within EPs is discussed as a possible explanation for the lack of divergent evolution. The seed management of Eps, including seed exchange between farmers, is suggested as a possible strategy to avoid the reduction in diversity within populations. Future research will address the nutritional value of the EPs, which is often quoted by sheep owners as superior to commonly grown varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Phytochemicals are natural non-nutritive bioactive compounds found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes, as well as other plant foods. In the present study, we assessed the dietary phytochemical index (PI) in relation to cardiometabolic risk factors among Iranian adults. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted within the framework of third phase of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study 2006-2008. For the present study, 2567 subjects aged 19-70 years (1129 men and 1438 women) were selected randomly. Dietary data were collected using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire with 168 food items. The PI was calculated based on daily energy derived from phytochemical-rich foods. The odds ratios of abdominal obesity, impaired fasting glucose, hypertriglyceridaemia, low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and hypertension were assessed across PI quartile categories. Results The mean (SD) age of participants was 39.4 (13.2) years. Participants in the upper quartile of PI were older, and had a lower weight and waist circumference. The mean (SD) of the PI was 17.3 (5.6), 25.5 (6.4), 32.7 (8.3) and 42.8 (10.5) in the first, second, third and fourth quartiles, respectively. Compared with those in the lower quartile of PI, participants in the upper quartiles had a 66% lower risk of abdominal obesity [95% confidence interval ( CI) = 0.23-0.51] and a 36% lower risk of hypertriglyceridaemia (95% CI, 0.47-0.86), after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusions Higher intakes of phytochemical-rich foods are associated with a lower risk of abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridaemia as the main cardiometabolic risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the appearance of symptoms of arsenic toxicity in the inhabitants of villages in the Muteh gold mining region, central Iran, the concentration of this element in various parts of biogeochemical cycle is investigated. For this purpose, rock, groundwater, soil, plant, livestock hair and wool, and human hair samples are collected and analysed. Total arsenic content ranges from 23 to 2,500 mg/kg in rock samples, 7-1,061 μg/l in water, 12-232 mg/kg in soil, 0.5-16 mg/kg in plant samples, 4.10-5.69 mg/kg in livestock hair and wool, and 0.64-5.82 mg/kg in human hair. Arsenic concentration in various parts of biogeochemical cycle near the gold deposit in a metamorphic complex, and also close to the gold-processing plant, is very high and decreases exponentially with increasing distance from them. Arsenic concentration in water from a well close to the Muteh gold mine is above 1 mg/L. Arsenic in hair samples taken from local inhabitants is above the recommended levels, and the control samples in Shahre-Kord city. Arsenic concentration is higher in male population and correlates positively with age. It is suggested that arsenic resulting from the decomposition of ore mineral such as orpiment (AsS), realgar (AsS) and arsenopyrite (FeAsS) is responsible for polluting natural resources and the human intake via drinking water and the food chain. Gold mining and processing has undoubtedly enhanced the release of arsenic and intensified the observed adverse effects in Muteh area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]