---

---

---

Introduction: Life expectancy is one of the summary measures of population health, whose values and trend of changes over time show the main outcome of health system performance. Estimation of life expectancy is performed with direct or model-based methods. In this study direct estimation of life expectancy for Iran’s population in year 2003 is performed. Materials and Methods: In an ecologic study, for calculation of abridged period life table for 23 out of 28 provinces of Iran in year 2003, numbers of registered deaths for age and sex specific groups in these 23 provinces by death registration system of Ministry of Health (MOH) were used. Undernumeration of over-four year's deaths was estimated and corrected with Brass Growth-Balance method. For mortality rates of under-one and 1-4 years, similar rates from Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2000 with live births denominators were substituted. For total number of population of 23 provinces, information from MOH was used. Distribution of population by age and sex was taken similar to that from DHS 2003 results, and also taken as result of graduation of whole country population from 1375 census. Population of these 23 provinces was equal to 73% of total population of country in year 2003. Life expectancy was estimated by age and sex with the obtained population and death numbers. It was assumed that distributions of population and death in 23 provinces were similar to those for the whole 28 provinces of Iran in year 2003 and hence, the estimated life expectancy for 23 provinces is equal to that for all 28 provinces in 2003. Sensitivity of the results to assumptions was analyzed. Confidence intervals were calculated with Monte Carlo method. Results: Life expectancy at birth was estimated as 71.56 years for total population (95% CI: 71.52 – 71.62), 70.09 years for males (70.02 – 70.16), and 73.17 (73.10 – 73.24) for females of Iran in year 2003. Sensitivity of results to assumptions was less than 0.5%. Conclusion: Values of life expectancy estimates for year 2003 with direct method are higher than those based on statistical modeling approaches performed by Statistical Center of Iran and by different United Nations agencies, due to difference in estimation methods for age and sex specific mortality rates.

---

Background: In recent years Influenza viruses have caused widely spread moderate to severe infection in all around the world and there is no Influenza vaccine which can protect people only with one dose injection till now. Therefore , producing a universal vaccine based on virus like particle (VLP) could be ideal. In this study one of the molecular structures was considered for VLP based Influenza vaccine. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the human influenza virus (A /New Caledonia 20/1999/ (H1N1)) was propagated in MDCK cell culture. Viral RNA was extracted using RNX-plus solution. Complementary DNA synthesis was carried out using uni-12 primer and random hexamer as specific and general primers, respectively. Neuraminidase open reading frame (1413-bp) was amplified by PCR and cloned into pBlue-script SK. Neuraminidase coding frame sub cloned into pFastBac11 plasmid through SalI/XhoI sites. After verification of cloned Neuraminidase by restriction analysis, it was subjected to automated sequencing bi-directionally. The recombinant pFastBac Neuraminidase vector was transformed to E.coli DH10Bac cells which harbor bacmid DNA and helper plasmid to create Neuraminidase recombinant bacmid. Results: Neuraminidase recombinant bacmid was created by homologous recombination between pFastBacNA and bacmid and was verified by PCR using Neuraminidase specific and M13 universal primers. Conclusion: Recombinant baculovirus expressing Neuraminidase gene can be also used with other individual recombinant baculoviruses expressing HA and M1 genes in production of influenza VLPs or proteins resulting from this structure could be purified in specific insects for vaccine research studies.

---

Background: Genetic variability of influenza viruses causes new epidemics worldwide annually. Development of a new vaccine for prophylaxis of influenza virus has been amajor objective in recent years. The aim of this study was to construct a recombinant baculoviruscapable of expressing the two surficial antigenic glycoproteins, hemagglutininand neuraminidase, as well as matrix proteinsof swine influenza (H1N1) simultaneously and independently. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, first, a triplet cassette providing simultaneous and independent expression of target proteins was designed and subjected to synthesis. It was then cloned into pFastBac1 donor plasmid. Competent E.ColiDH10Bac cells were transformed by donor clone and the recombinant bacmids were produced following homologous transposition. This construction was verified by PCR and then transfected into Sf9 insect cells to package new recombinant baculoviruses. Results: Restriction map of pFastBacI HNM1 donor plasmid confirmed the fidelity of the clone. The results of PCR done on the recombinant bacmidas template indicated that a proper homologous recombination has occurred between pFastBacI HNM1 donor plasmid and the bacmid in E.ColiDH10Bac host cells. Protein analysis of the infected Sf9 cells showed that all target proteins were efficiently expressed at the same time. Conclusion: The recombinant baculovirus constructed in this studypossesses proper characteristics to produce swine influenza virus-like particles in Sf9 cells.

---

  Background : Hand eczema (HE) is a common skin disease which often needs long term treatment.. There are several reports about the efficacy of topical doxepin in the treatment of pruritic dermal diseases. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of 5% doxepin cream and clobetasol 0.05% versus clobetasol 0.05% alone in the treatment of hand eczema.

  Materials and Methods: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled, study was carried out during years of 2011-2012.In total 70 patients with moderate to severe hand dermatitis were selected randomly to be treated with either the doxepin 5% cream+ clobetasol or clobetasol+placebo twice daily for 8 days. Efficacy assessments were performed at baseline and 8days after termination of therapy, according to hand eczema severity index (HECSI) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software, version 18.0 and statistical tests including paired T-test and independent T-test.

  Results: Overall, 56 patients completed our study. Out of them 32 were male and 24 were female. The reduction of HECSI score and VAS was statistically significant in the treatment and placebo group (p&le0.05), but differences in HECSI and VAS reduction between treatment and control group were not significant.

Conclusion: Although there is some evidence that doxepin 5% cream is effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of eczematous dermatitis, few trials have been performed. We suggest that in a more extensive clinical trial, the efficacy of this treatment against chronic hand dermatitis be evaluated.

---

Background: Lavandula officinalis has anti-anxiety and sedative properties. In the present study, the antidepressant effect of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Lavandula officinalis in forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in male mice was investigated.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 72 male mice were randomly divided into 9 groups of 8: Negative and positive control groups received normal saline (10 ml/kg), fluoxetine (20mg/kg) and imipramine (30mg/kg) respectively and treatment groups received extracts of Lavandula officinalis (100,200 and 400 mg/kg). Immobility, swimming and climbing behaviors were recorded during 6-min.

Results: Lavandula officinalis extracts (except the aqueous extract at a dose of 100 in FST) compared to control group significantly and dose dependently reduced the duration of immobility time a both of tests (p<0.001).Also, these extracts (except the aqueous extract at a dose of 100 in FST) significantly and dose dependably increased swimming time (p<0.001) without significant change of climbing time.

Conclusion: Lavandula officinalis has considerable antidepressant-like effect and their effect similar to fluoxetine.

---

Background: The overuse of therapeutic antibiotics results in the drug resistance. The excessive use of antibiotics causes the mutations in the microorganisms and the emergence of new microorganisms which are resistant against the common antibiotics. With regard to limitations and known side effects of antibiotics, the exploring of antimicrobial compounds seems necessary. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Chevil against Staphylococcus epidermidis PTCC 1435, Yersinia enterocolitica PTCC 1221 and Enterobacter aeruginosa PTCC 1151 and to compare them with the common therapeutic antibiotics.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, after collecting plants from the highlands of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province, the extraction was carried out by the maceration method. To evaluate the antimicrobial activity, Disc diffusion test with Kirby-Bauer method was used. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were determined by using the dilution method.

Results: The highest inhibition zone diameter in 40 mg/ml was related to Staphylococcus epidermidis and the minimum diameter in this concentration was related to Gram-negative bacteria, Enterobacter aeruginosa. MIC of aqueous and ethanolic extracts for Enterobacter aeruginosa 64 and 32 mg/ml and MBC of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Enterobacter aeruginosa were 128 and 64 mg/ml respectively.

Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of the Chevil compared with the common therapeutic antibiotics had more inhibitory effect on studied bacteria. Furthermore, Chevil extracts showed greater inhibitory effect on Gram-positive bacteria in comparison with Gram-negative bacteria.

---

Background: Saprolegniasis is an important aquatic fungal disease that causes severe damages at different growth stages of aquatic animals. Saprolegnia parasitica has been identified as an important pathogen in aquaculture. This study was investigated the activity of antifungal methanolic extracts of Foeniculum vulgare, Achillea millefolium, Satureja hortensis, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, as well as Artemisia annua essential oil against S. parasitica in comparison with formalin.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, Saprolegnia parasitica originated from rainbow trout’s farm effluent. Phenotypic identification was performed and amplification of ITS rDNA region was adjusted by using of two general primers like ITS1 and ITS4, subsequently sequencing by use of internal primer were performed. The antifungal effects of the plants were investigated based on broth microdilution method and compared by formalin.

Results: The results of sequencing verified the obtained fungus is S. parasitica. In broth microdilution method, the essential herb Artemisia inhibited the growth of S. parasitica at a concentration of 128 &mug/ml (MIC = 128 &mug/ml). At the same concentration, however, it did not show any fungicidal activity (MFC &ge 2048 &mug/ml). Methanolic extracts of the plants fennel, yarrow, Savory, and cinnamon displayed no direct effects on S. parasitica.

Conclusion: Based on the results obtained in the present study, Artemisia can be classified as a powerful antifungal essential plant. The essence of Artemisia performed more effectively compared to formalin for the growth inhibition of S. parasitica.

---

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance with first dignosis during pregnancy. There is some evidence indicating that chemerin play a role in the development of GDM. In this study, for the first time, a possible association of rs17173608 polymorphism in the chemerin gene with the risk of GDM in Arak population was investigated.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 120 GDM and 150 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance were selected. GDM was confirmed by oral glucose tolerance according to the new IADPSG criteria. Genomic DNA was extracted from EDTA treated whole blood. The polymorphism of chemerin gene was determined using tetra-amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR).

Results: The genotype frequencies of  TT, GT and GG at rs17173608 were respectively 81.7%, 17.5% and 0.8% in the GDM group and 73.3%, 25.3% and 1.3% in the control group. There were no statistical differences in genotype frequencies between case group and the control group. Also, allele frequencies in the GDM group  (T 90.4% , G 9.6%), did not differ significantly from the control group ( T 96% ,G 14%). No association was found between genotype frequencies and FBS, 1h, 2 h and BMI.

Conclusion: The present study show that the rs17173608 polymorphism in the chemerin gene is not associated with the development of glucose intolerance and GDM in the studied population.

---

Background: Many of key problems in students with attention deficit disorder are related to executive dysfunction that in this field neurofeedback training and computer games are effective. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of neurofeedback training and computer games on continuous attention and planning ability in students with attention deficit disorder.

Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design and with a control group. The statistical population was included all elementary students with attention deficit disorder that referred to counseling centers of Mashhad city in 2013. Totally, 45 students were selected through available sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups. The experimental groups were educated 12 sessions of 60 minutes by neurofeedback and computer games methods. To assess continuous attention and planning, the CPT and Tower of London computerized tests were used, respectively. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS-19 software and multivariate analysis of covariance (MONCOVA) methods.

Results: The findings showed that both methods of neurofeedback training and computer games significantly lead to increase continuous attention and planning in students with attention deficit disorder. Also, there wasn't any significant difference between two methods in continuous attention and planning (P<0/05).

Conclusion: The results showed that neurofeedback training and computer games methods were effective in improving continuous attention and planning for students with attention deficit disorder. Therefore, counselors and therapists can use mentioned methods in treatment of students with attention deficit disorder.

---

Background: A small percent of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) respond to 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), as a first line of chemotherapy. In this study in, in order to design a new chemotherapy protocol, the effect of 5-FU and acriflavine (ACF) cotreatment on mortality rate of CRC cell lines was investigated.

Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity of 5-FU and ACF against CRC cell lines (LS174T, SW480 and HCT116) was detected using MTT assay. Cells were treated with different concentrations of 5-FU (0.5-64 µM) or ACF (0.07-5 µM) for 72 hours and then cell viability and drugs IC50 was calculated. To assess the effect of ACF on anticancer activity of 5-FU, cells were cotreated with different concentrations of 5-FU and IC30 concentration of ACF.

Results: ACF and 5-FU suppress the viability of CRC cell lines in dose-dependent manner. 5-FU and ACF have most cytotoxic effect on LS174T and the lowest cytotoxic effect on SW480 cells. Cotreatment of ACF with 5-FU could not significantly change the sensitivity of cells against 5-FU (p>0.05).

Conclusion: In this study, the fatal and cytotoxic effect of ACF on three CRC cell lines was shown. However, cotreatment of ACF with 5-FU could not improve the anticancer activity of 5-FU.

---

Background: The speech disorders may produce irreparable damage to childs speech  and language development in the psychosocial view. The voice, speech sound production and fluency disorders are speech disorders, that  may result from delay or impairment in speech  motor control mechanism, central neuron system disorders, improper language stimulation or voice abuse.

Materials and Methods: This study examined the prevalence of speech disorders in 1393 Arakian students at 1 to 6th grades of primary school. After collecting continuous speech samples, picture description, passage reading and phonetic test, we recorded the pathological signs of stuttering, articulation disorder and voice disorders in a special sheet.

Results: The prevalence of articulation, voice and stuttering disorders was 8%, 3.5% and%1 and the prevalence of speech disorders was 11.9%. The prevalence of speech disorders was decreasing with increasing of student’s grade. 12.2% of boy students and 11.7% of girl students of primary school in Arak had speech disorders.

Conclusion: The prevalence of speech disorders of primary school students in Arak is similar to the prevalence of speech disorders in Kermanshah, but the prevalence of speech disorders in this research is smaller than many similar researches in Iran. It seems that racial and cultural diversity has some effect on increasing the prevalence of speech disorders in Arak city.

---

Abstract

Background: Human exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of diseases such as heart failure, asthma and cancer. It has been suggested that oxidative stress is involved in air pollution-induced disorders. Recently, γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is known as a marker of oxidative stress. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of exposure to outdoor air pollution on enzyme activity of GGT and also usage of GGT serum level as a marker for studying of harmful effects of air pollution in the resident with high air pollution level.

Materials and Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, 110 healthy adult men, never-smoking, who worked in an area with high air pollution and 90 men who worked in an area with low air pollution, as control group, were enrolled. All subjects were in the age range of 25-45 years with minimum work history of three years. The GGT activity in the serum samples was determined using a spectrophotometric method.

Results: Our results showed that the serum levels of GGT in the subjects in the areas with high air pollution (33.92 ± 1.61 U/L) did not differ significantly with those of control region (33.62 ± 1.74 U/L).

Conclusion: Overall, this study did not support the hypothesis that GGT enzyme could be considered as an oxidative stress marker following exposure to outdoor air pollution. Further studies with a larger sample sizes and also trials in other areas are required to confirm these results.

---

Background: High blood pressure increases various cardiovascular events about 2 to 3 times in a person. The purpose of this study is to recognize the effect of a course of pilates exercise on hypertension, nitric oxide, and resting heart rate in the eldrlymen with hypertension.

Materials and Methods: Subjects of this quasi-experimental research included 30 elderly men with hypertension grade one(in the range of systolic-diastolic 140/90 to 159/99mm Hg) who participated voluntarily and accessibly in the study and were divided randomly into two experimental peer (15 people) and control (15 people) groups. Weight, height and BMI of subjects were 75±80, 170±175 and 25-26, respectively. The experimental group did selected exercise of Pilates for eight weeks (three one-hour sessions per week). Desired variables of the subjects of both groups were evaluated 24 hours before the start of exercise and 24 hours after the last session. Data analysis was conducted using dependent and independent t-test by SPSS16 statistical software at the significant level of p≥0.05.

Results: The research results showed that the eight-week pilates exercise gave rise to reduction in blood pressure(p≤0.05) as well as resting heart rate (p≤0.05) and to increase in nitric oxide of elderly men with hypertension (p≤0.05).

Conclusion: The eight-week pilates exercise reduced blood pressure and resting heart rate and increased the production of nitric oxide in elderly men. So, it seems that the regular physical exercise can be effective as a preventive factor in the outbreak of cardiovascular diseases of the elderly men. 

---

Abstract

Background: The problem of learning disabilities is the reason of academic backwardness of students and dyslexia is considered the most common of these disorders.Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the comparison of the effectiveness of mental rotation and phonological awareness training on reading performance of  students with dyslexia.

Materials and Methods: The design of the study was quasi-experimental in pre-test and post- test with control group. Statistical population composed of all dyslexic students in the city of Tabriz in 2015-2016. The sample of present research consisted of 45 students with dyslexia who were selected via available sampling and then were assigned randomly to experimental) phonological awareness and mental rotation training) and control groups(n=15 in each). To collect data, revised Wechsler intelligence scale for children and reading improvement and dyslexia test were used. Multivariate Covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the data.

Results: Findings indicated that scores of mental rotation and phonological awareness training have a significant effect on reading performance of dyslexic students compared with control group (p<0.001). Furthermore, there is no difference between mental rotation and phonological awareness training effectiveness on reading performance of dyslexic students (p>0.05).

Conclusion: It can be concluded that mental rotation and phonological awareness training are effective on accuracy, speed and comprehension of reading in students with dyslexia.

---

Background and Aim Oxidative stress is the main factor in the development and progression of diabetes and its related complications. There is growing evidence that antioxidants supplementation can improve oxidative stress induced in diabetes. The present investigation was conducted to study the effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on the Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) in diabetic rats.
Methods and Materials A total of 30 male rats were divided into five groups: saline, sesame oil (as a vehicle), CoQ10-treated (10 mg/kg/day), diabetic (induced with streptozotocin: 55 mg/kg), and CoQ10-treated diabetic (10 mg/kg/d). Then, we measured the Malondialdehyde (MDA), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) levels in the rats’ liver homogenate. Additionally, the OSI was calculated.
Ethical Considerations The Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences approved this study (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.119).
Results results showed a significant decrease in the level of liver MDA (P=0.022), TOS (P=0.03), and OSI (P=0.028) in the CoQ10-treated diabetic group compared to the diabetic rats. No significant change was observed in the total thiol group (P=0.25) and TAC (P=0.77) level in diabetic rats’ livers treated with CoQ10 compared to diabetic rats. 

---

---

Background and Aim: Ankle injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries in sports, accounting for 10% to 15% of all injuries. Since controlling pain and inflammation in ankle sprains is one of the main goals of treatment, we decided to compare the therapeutic effects of Cheleh daghi Herbal ointment with a common therapeutic gel such as piroxicam.
Methods & Materials: This study was performed as a double-blinded clinical trial for 6 months from January 2019 to August 2019. After referral, all patients completed the consent form, and the patient's details and study variables were recorded by the evaluator in the research form. To measure joint inflammation, we measured the ankle with a meter tape in the ankle area (cm) and recorded. A goniometer was also used to measure the degree of ankle movements. The symptoms of ankle ecchymosis were also checked by physical examination and observation and recorded in the checklist. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS V. 18 using statistical tests (the Mann-Whitney U test, the Chi-square, and the independent t-test).
Ethical Considerations: The Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences approved the study (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1396.55) and registered by the Clinical Trial (Code: IRCT2017071720258N53).
Results: The Mean±SD age in the control group was 34.2±8.6 years, and in the case group was 35.4±8.9 years. There was no statistically significant difference according to the Mann-Whitney U test (P<0.05). Also, the Mean±SD height in the control group was 1.7±0.12 m and in the case group was 1.72±0.11 m. The results also showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups studied before and after the intervention regarding the mean indicators of pain, swelling, and inflammation around the joints (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of our study showed that Cheleh daghi Herbal ointment for 3 weeks could be more effective in reducing local pain and inflammation than piroxicam gel treatment.

---

Background and Aim: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the most common mental health condition, with a severe decline in performance, disability, and a 15% risk of suicide. Allopurinol increases the level of tryptophan in the body by inhibiting xanthine oxidase, and by elevating the level of tryptophan, i.e., a precursor to serotonin. Accordingly, it can improve the symptoms of depression. This study aimed to investigate the impact of allopurinol on MDD.
Methods & Materials: In this double-blind clinical trial, 70 patients with MDD, diagnosed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Fourth Edition-Third Edition (DSM IV-TR) were randomly (paired & individual patient records) divided into two equal groups. Both research groups received 40 mg of citalopram daily for 6 weeks. In addition to citalopram, the intervention group received 300 mg allopurinol daily and the control group received a placebo. At the end of the third and sixth weeks, the examined patients were tested for Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1394.68). Also, it was approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Code: IRCT201508277373n6).
Results:  The Mean±SD HDRS’s score, after 3 weeks of treatment, in the control and allopurinol groups was measured as 28.42±3.1 and 23.02±3.4, respectively. After 6 weeks after treatment, the Mean±SD depression score in the control and allopurinol groups was equal to 23.28±4.1 and 20.4±1.2, in sequence. A significant difference was observed between the research groups; thus, the intervention group obtained a lower mean score in the HDRS than the controls.
Conclusion: Allopurinol can improve the symptoms of depression and can also be used as an adjunct in the treatment of depression.