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Background: Reports on microsporidia infections are increasing and some species, such as Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis, have become important causes of chronic malabsorptive diarrhea, especially in HIV infected patients. In this study, Modified Trichrome-Blue (MTS) and Acid-Fast Trichrome (AFT) staining methods as well as PCR technique were used for detecting microsporidia in stool specimens. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a total of 71 stool specimens from AIDS patients with chronic diarrhea were collected and sent to laboratory. Two slides were prepared for each stool specimen. The slides were fixed with methanol, stained with MTS and AFT stain, and read by at least three individuals. In addition, PCR with primers directed to a conserved region of the 16s rRNA of intestinal microsporidian spores was used. Results: Totally of 71 patients, 13 patients (18.30%) were positive for microsporidia by MTS and AFT stain methods. In addition, 9 patients (12.67%) were positive for cryptosporidium by AFT stain and 4 (5.63%) of them were positive for microsporidia. Furthermore, 16 patients (22.53%) were positive for intestinal microsporidiosis by PCR technique. Notably, all cases that were positive for microsporidia by staining methods were also positive for PCR technique as well Conclusion: PCR technique was more sensitive than staining methods. Also, MTS and AFT stain methods were equally useful in the diagnosis of microsporidiosis.

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Background: Atrazine is an herbicide used widely by farmers in controlling weeds. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of atrazine, as an herbicide, on sperm quality, sperm DNA damage, invitrofertilization (IVF), and embryonic development in mature male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 42 mature male Wistar rats weighing 170±5g were divided into three groups, including one control and two treatment groups. The rats in the control group were administered corn oil (0.2 ml/day) and the rats in the test groups were orally gavaged with atrazine 150mg/kg (high dose) and 75mg/kg (low dose) body weight daily for a total of 45 days. Epidydimis tail was cut and placed in 1 ml of human tubular fluid (HTF) medium for 30 minutes in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air at 370C. The sperms were analyzed for sperm count, sperm viability, motility, DNA damage, immature sperm, and in vitro fertilization. Data were analyzed by One-Way ANOVA. Results: In this study, atrazine provoked a significant decrease (P<0.05) in sperm number, sperm viability, and sperm motility. The data suggest that the atrazine had a negative impact on sperm maturation and DNA integrity in a time-dependent manner, which consequently caused a significantly remarkable reduction in IVF ability (P<0.05). Conclusion: Atrazine is capable of inducing DNA damage and chromatin abnormalities of spermatozoa which can contribute to a low fertilization rate.

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Introduction: The growing increase in the elderly population requires more research to identify the health priorities of this group, especially in critical situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the current study was conducted to determine the influential components of marital satisfaction and its relationship with lifestyle in Urmia City in 2021.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional correlational study, 220 married elderly living in Urmia were selected through cluster sampling. The Miler's life satisfaction and Haynes's marital satisfaction questionnaires were used in addition to the demographic questionnaire to collect data in this research. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests (mean and standard deviation, frequency, and percentage) and analytical (Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression) at a significant level of P ≤ 0.05.
Results: A step-by-step multiple linear regression model also revealed that variables of lifestyle (ß = -0.364), age (ß = 0.425), number of children (ß = 0.143), occupation (ß = 0.425) and illness (ß = 3.608) - had the most considerable contribution in the sensitive prediction of marital satisfaction. The regression model excluded other demographic variables.
Conclusions: This study showed that lifestyle and demographic variables such as age, number of children, occupation, and illness have the greatest contribution in predicting marital satisfaction. Therefore, it seems necessary to design counseling services in comprehensive health centers for this group so that counselors can teach healthy lifestyles to older adults to improve marital relationships.