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In the present study, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were monitored in different juice samples including orange, grape, apple and multi-fruit juices collected from Zanjan, Iran. The collected fruit juice samples were digested by using a microwave digestion system and their metals content was determined under graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). In addition, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk resulting from Cd and Pb entered through fruit juice consumption were evaluated. Cd and Pb were detected in more than 41% and 80% of analysed fruit juices. The highest concentration of Pb and Cd was observed in orange juice (99 and 9.4 µg/l). Furthermore, incidence of Pb and Cd in 58.9% and 4.9% of fruit juices were higher than the established Codex maximum permissible level. The data showed that total hazard quotients (THQ) for Pb and Cd metals in fruit juices were less than 1 in adults and children, meaning that no major non-carcinogenic risk is resulted from consumption of fruit juice samples. In Cd, the highest calculated CR at the 95th percentile for carcinogenic risk was 1.47 × 10−5 (multi-fruits for children) and 1.43 × 10−5 (orange juice for children) as determined by Monte Carlo simulation model. In addition, for the carcinogenic risk of Pb in adults and children, the safest risk value (≤10−6) was indicated. The calculated CR of Cd and Pb in juices for adults and children was lower than the permissible carcinogenic risk value set by USEPA (1 × 10−5). Based on the results, fruit juices are not the major source of Cd and Pb intake by Iranian consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Migraine is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). There are evidences that components of MetS are more prevalent among migraine patients than non-migraineurs. Since both migraine and MetS are associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events, it is likely that the parameters of MetS increase the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in migraineurs. The present research project was conducted for the purpose of investigating the relationship between MetS parameters and different items of migraine headaches. Methods: This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was performed on 240 migraineurs [according to International Headache Society (HIS) II criteria] within the 17+ age range. The participants were selected via consecutive and convenience sampling method. The evaluated parameters for each subject included 2 arms: migraine characteristics (intensity, frequency of attacks, subtype, duration, and treatment regimen) and indices of MetS according to the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP-III) report criteria [high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), height, waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI)]. All data were analyzed in SPSS software. Results: Total prevalence of MetS was 16.25% (39 patients). There was a statistically meaningful relationship between hypertriglyceridemia and gender (P = 0.021), hypertriglyceridemia and prophylactic antimigraine regimen (P = 0.022), hyperglycemia and age group (P = 0.010), hyperglycemia and the intensity of headache (P = 0.048), hyperglycemia and prophylactic treatment (P = 0.001), systolic hypertension and migraine subtype (P = 0.004), systolic hypertension and the duration of migraine disease (P = 0.005), diastolic hypertension and migraine subtype (P = 0.002), WC and gender (P = 0.001), WC and the intensity of headache (P = 0.028), WC and prophylactic medication (P = 0.017), HDL and gender (P = 0.001), HDL and the prophylactic regimen (P = 0.023), and MetS and gender (P = 0.005). The prevalence of MetS was increased with increase in the severity of migraine headache. Conclusion: Due to the relative increase in the prevalence of MetS in patients with more severe migraine, an evaluation of the mechanisms of MetS is recommended in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Considering the accelerating rate of HIV / AIDS during recent years in Iran, it is extremely important to assess the AIDS awareness among people to design appropriate health education programs. This study aimed to evaluate AIDS awareness of health volunteers and the women covered by Zanjan health centers. Methods: This was descriptive cross-sectional study that carried out in 2019. The population consisted of all married health volunteers (205) and the women (198) covered by Zanjan health centers. The target population was selected by purposive sampling method. A valid and native researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect the required data. The data was analyzed by SPSS (version 16) software. Results: Both studied groups were homogenous in terms of age, education, and marital status. The findings showed that the health volunteers' AIDS awareness was higher (70%) than that of the women. The difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Although the health volunteers' awareness of AIDS was higher than that of the women, considering their role and participation in the education of people, this level of awareness is not acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea plantations cover an area of ca. 31,000 ha in the Central North of Iran. This area, after clearing the original forests more than 50 years ago, became exposed to severe soil erosion. The objective of this study was to assess long-term soil erosion rates in tea farms and to evaluate their soil conservation effect at a whole-of-catchment scale. No previous information on direct measurements of soil erosion in this mountainous tea agro-ecosystem of Northern Iran is available. Point-based estimates of net erosion have been obtained using the 137Cs technique and these results were compared with estimates using the RUSLE model. Calculations of soil erosion rates from 137Cs inventories, based on the Mass Balance Model II, revealed that 1.3 mm year−1 and 1.45 mm year−1 of soils were lost from the two sub-catchments A1 and A2, into which the catchment can be divided. The annual net erosion rate of the entire catchment was 17.06 t ha−1 year−1 which is consistent with the rate of 20.4 t ha−1 year−1 obtained by the RUSLE model of at the same scale. This study suggests adopting soil conservation practices to control soil erosion, especially after deforestation and periodic pruning of tea bushes. Sustainable land-use plans are then necessary for tea farms of Iran to protect soil resources and to reduce the off-site impacts of land degradation (mainly siltation) on the reservoirs and coastal area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pregabalin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid analog which seems to be effective in different neuropathic pains, as well as in incisional and inflammatory injuries. This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of pregabalin on pain relief post herniorrhaphy. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 60 men were chosen for unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy under spinal anesthesia. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. The investigation (pregabalin) group received 300 mg of oral pregabalin 2 h before and 150 mg of pregabalin 12 and 24 h after surgery in addition to routine postoperative medication and 1 mg/kg of pethidine as needed. The control (placebo) group received placebo capsules similar to the investigation group, as well as routine medication and 1 mg/kg of pethidine as needed. All surgeries were done with the same technique. Post-surgery pain was evaluated in the walking and lying positions with a visual analog scale at 12 and 24 h and at 3 and 7 days after the surgery. Pethidine consumption and adverse effects of pregabalin were also assessed. Results: The investigation group had less pain and lower visual analog scale scores at 12 and 24 h and also at 3 days after surgery and consumed less pethidine compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Pregabalin reduces pain and opioid consumption in the first 3 days after surgery. The adverse effects of pregabalin are limited to the first 12 h after surgery. Pregabalin can be suggested for pain relief, but it should be used with caution in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is the major cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as the most common form of chronic liver disease. Prevention of obesity can be useful in reducing the incidence of NAFLD. Objectives: This study evaluated the prevalence of fatty liver in relation with body mass index (BMI) by means of ultrasound in high school students of Zanjan. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, three hundred high school students aged 12 to 18 years, from Zanjan city were selected randomly and divided to three groups with one hundred children in each group, based on body mass index. Only 240 of them participated in the study. The participants were examined by a pediatrician. Weight, height and waist circumferences were measured at baseline. Liver ultrasound was performed for all children and grade of fatty liver was determined. Results: There was a significant correlation between grade of fatty liver with BMI, gender and age (P = 0.000, P = 0.000 and P = 0.006, respectively). Boys had higher rates of fatty liver than girls. Our study showed a strong association between BMI and prevalence of fatty liver on ultrasound. However, there was no relation between severity of fatty liver and waist circumference (P = 0.067). The waist circumference was greater in boys, and it increased with age. The mean BMI in children with grade 1 and 2 fatty liver was 26.79 and 30.5, respectively. Conclusions: According to the study hypothesis, based on BMI, the degree of NAFLD in children was predictable. Ultrasound of liver is one of the assessment methods of fatty liver but it is not a diagnostic method; it is useful for prevention in order to reduce BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infertility is one of the most difficult life experiences that a couple might encounter. Infertility as a bio-psycho-social phenomenon, could influence all aspects of life. While paying special attention to the psychological aspects of infertility in couples; many studies have investigated the non-clinical aspects of infertility, however, they rarely have evaluated the psychosocial development of infertile versus fertile men. We aimed to study the effects of infertility on psychosocial development in men. Methods: In fact, we designed the study based on "Erikson's theory of psychosocial development". We focused on the relationship between psychosocial development and some self-conceived indices. For this purpose, we divided the participants volunteers into two groups of cases (80 infertile men) and controls (40 fertile men) and asked them to complete a 112 (questions questionnaire based on "self description"). The statistical analysis was performed by SPSS (version 13) using independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and analysis of covariance. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Data analysis showed significant inter and intra group differences. Infertile and fertile groups showed significant differences in trust, autonomy, generativity and integrity stages (p<0.05). Infertile intergroup analysis represents us to higher scores in positive than negative stages. Conclusion: Infertility as a phenomenon had its own effects on the psychosocial development of infertile men. However, good coping skills are powerful tools to manage these myriad of feelings surrounding infertile men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Mental Health Status of Patients Attending Avicenna Infertility Clinic," by Zohreh Behjati Ardekani and colleagues is presented.

Background: Body Image as a multidimensional entity is related to both physical and psychological aspects of the image one has of his or her own body. Lack/absence of an acceptable body image is one of the reasons of mental distress in infertile individuals. Methods: In this study, an equal number (No=120) of fertile and infertile men attending Avicenna Infertility Clinic (AIC) were enrolled. The participants were compared in regard to body image variables based on the "Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ)" consisting of 10 subscales. Data was analyzed by SPSS, version 11.5, using Chi square and independent t-tests. Results: Fertile men had a more positive body image as compared to infertile individuals. Significant statistical differences were observed when body image subscales were compared in both groups; in other words appearance evaluation, appearance orientation, Novy, health evaluation, health orientation, illness orientation, body satisfaction, overweight preoccupation and self-classified weight showed differences, while no significant difference was observed in regard to fitness orientation. Conclusion: It seems that the ability and efficiency of body image is affected by infertility leading to dissatisfaction of one's body image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, the high likelihood of the implantation of transferred embryos has led to an increase in the number of multiple pregnancies and consequently an increased risk of complications in fetuses and mothers. Since the aim of infertility treatment is the birth of a healthy child while preserving the mother's health, therefore, attempts should be made to avoid multiple pregnancies as much as possible besides maintaining the women's chance of pregnancy by transferring an appropriate number of embryos. Methods: The population under study consisted of specialists (gynecologists and embryologists) who worked in ART clinics across the country and had attended an infertility congress in Tehran in 2008. The devised questionnaire enquired about the infertility specialists' attitude towards the appropriate number of transferable embryos. The questions were designed on a Likert scale of strongly agree, agree, indifferent, disagree and strongly disagree. The scores of the questionnaire ranged from 0-60 which were later scaled up to 100 for ease of data analysis. Accordingly, scores below 50 were considered as "negative", 50-75 "moderate" and greater than 75 as "positive". Results: Overall, 9.9% of the specialists gained a score less than 50 (negative view), 67.3% between 50-75 (moderate) and 22.8% greater than 75 (positive view). Conclusion: The infertility specialists in Iran are relatively reluctant to transfer a high number of embryos for infertility treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adherence to appropriate nutrition and fluid intake is one of the essential parts of chronic renal failure treatment for achieving the desirable results among the patients with hemodialysis. Among various training methods, the "small groups' method", as an advanced method, can be performed by nurses in achieving desirable therapeutic results. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of appropriate nutrition training in small groups on laboratory parameters in hemodialysis patients., Material and Methods: In this clinical trial, 64 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly selected and divided into an intervention group and a control group. Subsequently, an appropriate nutritional training program, including lectures along with appropriate nutrition pamphlets in three one hour question and answer sessions were performed. Thirty two patients in each group were assigned to intervention groups of five. Then, the laboratory indicators for each patient were measured in each group one month after training. Thereafter, data analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical statistics (statistical tests including independent t-test, paired t-test, repeated measures, and ANOVA) in SPSS V.16 software., Results: The mean age of the patients was 50.1 ± 13.1 years; 47.5% of them had undergone dialysis due to hypertension and 55.7% had a history of 1-5 years of hemodialysis. There was a significant difference in post-intervention levels of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus between the two groups., Conclusions: Appropriate nutrition training via small-group method for patients on hemodialysis can impose positive effects on laboratory parameters.

Background: Infertility is one of the most difficult life experiences that a couple might encounter. Infertility as a bio-psycho-social phenomenon, could influence all aspects of life. While paying special attention to the psychological aspects of infertility in couples; many studies have investigated the non-clinical aspects of infertility, however, they rarely have evaluated the psychosocial development of infertile versus fertile men. We aimed to study the effects of infertility on psychosocial development in men., Methods: In fact, we designed the study based on "Erikson's theory of psychosocial development". We focused on the relationship between psychosocial development and some self-conceived indices. For this purpose, we divided the participants volunteers into two groups of cases (80 infertile men) and controls (40 fertile men) and asked them to complete a 112 (questions questionnaire based on "self description"). The statistical analysis was performed by SPSS (version 13) using independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and analysis of covariance. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant., Results: Data analysis showed significant inter and intra group differences. Infertile and fertile groups showed significant differences in trust, autonomy, generativity and integrity stages (p < 0.05). Infertile intergroup analysis represents us to higher scores in positive than negative stages., Conclusion: Infertility as a phenomenon had its own effects on the psychosocial development of infertile men. However, good coping skills are powerful tools to manage these myriad of feelings surrounding infertile men.