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Introduction: A high prevalence of HCV infection among hemodialysis patients has been reported worldwide. Risk factors such as history of blood transfusion, duration of hemodialysis and recently nosocomial transmission of HCV in hemodialysis units have been identified. In this study the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus antibody and risk factors in hemodialysis patients in Markazi province is investigated. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analythical study, blood samples were obtained from all 204 hemodialysis patients. Samples were tested for anti-HCV antibodies by using third generation enzyme immunoassay. The reactive samples on ELISA were confirmed by the third generation RIBA. Risk factors were evaluated by a questionnaire. Data was analysed using Chi square and logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody among hemodialysis patients was 4.9%.Duration of hemodialysis was identified as a major risk factor in transmission of HCV (p=0.004). There was a significant relationship between anti-HCV positivity and previous renal transplantation (p=0.032). Female sex was another risk factor for HCV infection (p=0.030). There was no significant relationship between anti-HCV positivity and history of blood transfusion. Conclusion: Nosocomial transmission of HCV within hemodialysis units seems to be a route of infection in patients on hemodialysis in Markazi province. Application of dialysis precautions recommended by CDC can reduce the prevalence of HCV infection among hemodialysis patients in this province.

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Introduction: Menopause is a natural period of life. It means the permanent cessation of menstruation and the end of reproductive period which occurs between 45-52 years old. It also serves as an indicator of population health as the occurrence of menopause indicates the increased risk for the onset of several chronic diseases. In this study, the mean age of natural menopause among women in Arak (Central Iran) was investigated, considering their reproductive and socio-economic-demographic factors and their health behaviors. Materials and Methods: This study was an observational cross-sectional study on a population base, carried out in 2007 year. Interviews and questionnaires were used for gathering data from 458 women resident in Arak city, who had undergone a natural menopause. Sampling was multistaged using postal zones and selecting samples in each zone. Data was analyzed using variance analysis, multiple regression, T and correlation coefficient tests. Results: Findings showed that the mean age of menopause in our sample was 48.2±2.34 years (95% CI: 47.98- 48.41) and its median was 49 years. The mean age of menopause in women who were never married was less than married women (P= 0.015). Low income level (P= 0.003), having physical activity (P= 0.004), number of pregnancies (P<0.001), age of last pregnancy (P=0.026) and place of birth (P=0.003) were meaningfull factors in age of menopause. Conclusion: This phenomenon must be documented in Iran because of its strong link with mortality and morbidity of the growing number of women who are reaching advanced ages whose one forth of life is after menopause. Therefore health education as the best way for changing their lifestyle is suggested.

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Background: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system which leads to myelin destruction. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of aerobic training on functional capacity and percent body fat in women with moderate multiple sclerosis.

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 15 women with multiple sclerosis (aged 33.68±8.22 years) with EDSS<4 were randomly divided into experimental (n=8) and control (n=7) groups. An aerobic program prolonged for 8 weeks, 3 days/week, 20-40 minutes/day, with 60-80% of HRmax was run in the experimental group. Some functional capacities, such as speed running, walking endurance, balance, and VO2 Max, as well as BF% were measured before and after the training program in both groups.

Results: The results showed that aerobic training led to significant increases in walking endurance, walking speed, balance, and VO2max (p<0.001). These indices, however, decreased significantly in the control group (p<0.05). Additionally, after the training program, percent body fat decreased significantly in the experimental group (p=0.005), but it increased significantly in control group (p=0.002).

Conclusion: Considering the findings of this study, it can be stated that aerobic training can improve functional capacity and decrease percent body fat in multiple sclerosis patients

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Background and Aim: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems in the elderly that Can affect their daily activity. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of a period strengthening core stabilization exercise with the Knee strengthening exercises on improving pain in female athletes with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.
Methods & Materials: In this study, 20 female athletes with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome participated. They were accidentally divided into two groups: strengthening core stabilization exercise (10 people( and strengthening knee exercise (10 people). A visual analog scale measured patients’ pain before and after eight weeks of practice interventions. Paired t-test and independent t-test were used at the significant level of (P<0.05) to analyze the results.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Bu Ali Sina University Hamedan (Code: IR.BASU.REC.1398.032).
Results: The results showed that the pain level in both groups decreased significantly after strengthening core stabilization exercises (P=0.006) and the Knee strengthening exercises (P=0.000). Although intergroup comparison did not show a significant difference in the results (P̀=0.064), the calculation of the effect showed a more significant effect of strengthening knee exercise [ES=1.8) on the improvement of pain compared to the strengthening core stabilization group (ES=0.7).
Conclusion: The results showed that knee strengthening and core stabilization exercises reduced the pain. But due to the higher effectiveness of knee strengthening exercises in improving pain, it is recommended to use this protocol to reduce the pain of these patients.