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Background: Since of the importance of publishing medical articles in evaluation of faculty members’ activity and ranking of universities, this study was designed investigate faculty members’ opinion about intendancy in writing Persian and non Persian articles. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional analytical study is carried out by census method. Data were gathered by a questionnaire which its validity and reliability were confirmed. Data was analyzed by ANOVA,T-test, Chi square and correlation coefficient. Results: The most important barriers in academic members' intendancy to articles were too busy in education or clinical treatment with the mean of 4.281.06, lack of experienced persons for writing non Persian articles as counselor with the mean of 3.981.00 , lack of research teams with the mean of 3.950.98, long time in proposal approval with the mean of 3.961.02, lack of journal editorial board supporting in accepting of descriptive articles with the mean of 3.951.02 and long time from receiving articles until their approval and publishing with the mean of 3.951.07. Conclusion: By decreasing education hours, shortening the process of proposal approval, introducing expert persons in writing non Persian articles as counselor, shortening the process of evaluating and publishing or rejecting articles can increase academic members’ tendency in writing articles.

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Abstract Background: Study of the nursing and midwifery instructors and students viewpoints, as two important groups in teaching proccess, can be effect on codifying and evaluating of educational program and effectiveness in this courses. The purpose of this study was to determine the effective educational and evaluation program on clinical learning from the nursing and midwifery instructors and students’ opinion in Arak University of Medical Sciences, 2008. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive study in 2008, all students and clinical lecturer (n=84) were studied. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire consisted of three parts, demographic information, clinical education and evaluation program. Results: The age mean of the teachers and students respectively were 38±3.14, 22.2±2.18 years and the mean of theoretical and clinical history teaching of instructors, respectively, were 6.04±2.48 and 10./95±2.9 years. The most percents of instructors (91.3%) emphasized on considering the communicating skills education in education program. The most percents of students (85.2%) emphasized on considering the critical thinking and moral students support. Also, the most percents of instructors (78.3%) emphasized on step by step evaluation. While, the most percents of students (90.2%) emphasized on the effect of teachers evaluation and reflected the results to them. Conclusion: Hope to, this study results can be helpful to effective nursing and midwifery students’ lesson planning and evaluating.

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Abstract Background: Different studies have shown the inability of traditional lecture method to active teaching method in concept transmitting of higher learning domain. The aim of this study was comparing the effects of feedback lecture method and conventional lecture method on learning and quality of teaching. Materials and Methods: In quasi-experimental study, 27 Arak medical science midwifery students who were in fourth semester, randomly, were divided to two groups of “teaching by feedback lecture” and “teaching by conventional lecture”. Desired topic were presented by one teacher as a 90- minute lecture in control group and as two 35-minute lectures with 10-minute discussion after each part in case group. Informational form, and post test and student' opinion form were used respectively to identify the demographic characteristics, short tem and long term learning and quality of teaching form. Results: Demographic characteristics, quality of teaching form student’s opinion, total scores of pre and post test were similar in two groups. Results of teaching score in post test in knowledge and perception level were similar. But there was a significant difference between application and analysis level in two groups(p=0.011). Also, total and domain scores of post test after a month were not different in both groups. Conclusion: Results indicated that learning by feedback lecture can be more effective than conventional lecture method in application and analysis domain.

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Abstract Background: What makes a physician to a proficient one is accompanying science and moral together, especially observing religious features of the patient. Therefore, present study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge of Arak University of Medical Sciences students in medical religious in pre and post training, 2005-06. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, questionnaire was prepared including 50 questions on medical religious commandments. After filling questionnaires by 227 students, were confidentially collected in a box. In next stage, the book on medical commandments according to four religious authorities was freely presented to the participants to be read within two weeks then 50 questions about medical commandments were prepared again. Results: In the present study, 81.9% were female and 18.1% were male. The basic sciences students were lower acquaintance before reading the book and midwifery students had better acquaintance (43%). The changing percentage of knowledge in all groups had significant difference with medical commandments in second period as compared to the first period, (p‹0.001). Conclusion: The knowledge of students in different courses in medical religious commandments was not significant. But, after training, there have been considerable changes in their medical commandments knowledge. Therefore, it is recommended to train medical commandments in parallel with training scientific and practical courses.

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Background: Job satisfaction is regarded as an individual's opinion of his or her job. Noticing the key role of hospital personnel in giving health services to patients, this study was designed to determine job satisfaction of hospital personnel in Arak. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 702 hospital personnel through simple sampling method. The means of gathering data were demographic and Herzberg's job satisfaction questionnaires. Job satisfaction was categorized in three levels. Results: Results in eight domains showed that most personnel's satisfaction of job environment (%75.2), relationship with co-workers (%49), salary and benefits(%75.1), job position(%60.5), job security (%64.6), supervision(%64),management policy(%59.2)and personal life relations (%65.7)were at average levels. Overall, %82.2 of the personnel had an average satisfaction with their jobs. The greatest level of satisfaction was with relationship with co-workers and the lowest level of satisfaction was related to job difficulty benefits, establishment of justice and fairness, discrimination and lack of facilities. X2 statistical test revealed significant differences amolay sex, level of education, type of employment, type of job and work shift. Conclusion: Overall, Job satisfaction in this study was at an average level. Increasing salaries, job difficulty benefits, on time payment and providing welfare facilities are essential for the improvement of job satisfaction in this group.

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Background: This study was designed to investigate the quality of life in staff and hospital personnel of Arak University of Medical Sciences and to gain basic information for carrying out interventions for improving their quality of life. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done to determine quality of life of 300 staff and hospital personnel in Arak University of Medical Sciences. Data gathering tools were demographic and standard quality of life (SF-36) questionnaires. Results: Of the 275 participants who had completed the questionnaires, 127 (%46.2) were staff and 148 (%53.8) were hospital personnel. The means of age and years of experience were 36.797.02 and 12.297.39 years, respectively. The mean of different dimensions of quality of life in the staff was significantly much higher than that in the hospital personnel (p<0.05). In terms of physical performance, vitality, social performance, general health, physical and mental health domains, significant differences were found among personnel with different employment status. There was also a significant difference between men and women in terms of physical restriction factors, physical agony, vitality, sanity, mental and physical health. Conclusion: The mean of different dimensions of quality of life in hospital personnel was lower than the staff while this value was lower in women than men. Specific longitudinal studies are needed for investigating the causes of these differences.

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Background: Nowadays, scientific religion studies using the commonly accepted methods in human sciences is one of the new, interesting research areas in scientific and academic research. Noticing the importance of religion in student’s mental health, this study was designed and conducted. Materials and Methods: In this Cross-Sectional study, 310 students at Arak University of Medical Sciences were randomly surveyed through demographic, Khodayary Fard’s religious attitude, and GHQ-28 questionnaires. Data were analyzed via descriptive statistics, Chi square, and Pearson-product correlation through SPSS software. In all stages of the research, ethical issues in research were taken into consideration. Results: The mean and standard deviations of age, GHQ, and religious attitude were 21.29±2.22 years, 24.04±9.41, and 81.04±11.9, respectively. In terms of religious attitude, 1.4% (4 students) had weak, 12.5% had moderate, and 86 % (240 students) had strong attitudes. A positive relationship was observed between religious attitude and mental health. Also, there was a significant inverse relationship between religious attitude and age, major, place of living, and mother’s level of education (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the majority of the students had strong religious attitudes and a significant positive correlation was found between the students’ religious attitude and mental health. Improving religious attractions through educational, religious, cultural programs for enhancing the religious attitudes of students is suggested.

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Background: The holy Quran is the curative that after its cure, there is no fear of disease anymore. One of the miracles of Quran is its effect on service and medical care duties. Noticing the key role of nurses in offering health service to patients and the importance of the nurses’ mental health, this study was conducted. Materials and Methods: This educational trial was done on 55 nurses at educational hospitals of Arak University of Medical Sciences through randomized simple-sampling. Before and after intervention, the GHQ-28 questionnaire was completed by the participants. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and Chi square. Results: The mean age of the nurses was 34.45±6.3 years, and 68.2% (30 participants) of them were married and the rest were single. The mean mental health scores before and after intervention were 27.75±9.76 and 22.34±7.83 which indicated a significant difference (p<0.014). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that this intervention has been effective in reducing mental health scores and somehow, in improving the nurses’ mental health status. On the other hand, participation in the familiarity with Quran workshop can improve the nurses’ mental health.

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As the world is moving at the fastest possible speed toward industrialization, great technical developments, and becoming a place devoid of difficulties and troubles, the issue of illnesses and mental problems still persists as an unpleasant matter which is quite noticeable. This study was done through reviewing the available Quranic books and resources. In such matters, Quran and Hadith are rich in both content and foundation and play a vital role in decreasing and alleviating mental pressures and enhancing and establishing mental health in the society. In this regard, Islam (Quran and Hadith) enjoys and offers recommendations and solutions for fortifying the individual’s mental and spiritual basis in the society in a way that it eliminates the peoples’ economic and mental pressures and strengthens or establishes their economic mental hygiene. In this regard, the solutions and recommendations of Quran and Hadith can be applied to the treatment of the majority of economic mental diseases and their consequences.

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Background: Job satisfaction is viewed as all inclinations or positive feelings that individuals have towards their jobs. Medical universities are in need of motivated professors, as one important paradigm of education, to instruct students of medicine and to improve health and medicine in the society. Noticing the importance of job satisfaction among faculty members in promotion of university aims and enhancement of productivity, this study was conducted to evaluate job satisfaction among faculty members of Arak University of Medical Sciences (AUMS) in 2010. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, observational one and the study population consisted of all faculty members at AUMS. Sampling was performed by census and data were collected through demography questionnaire including sex, age, scientific stage, educational department, employment status, and job experience, and Herzberg job satisfaction questionnaire. Results: The mean (standard deviation) of job satisfaction in faculty members of AUMS was 60.72 (11.51) and the mean (standard deviation) of the surveyed stages were as follows: work nature (74.46(12.60)), supervision and relations (62.15(13.69)), job security (57.58 (15.72)), promotion opportunities (57.28(15.74)), physical conditions and work environment (55.84 (14.14)), and salary and benefits (55.56(16.87)) from the maximum 100 score. Conclusion: AUMS faculty members were satisfied with their jobs on the whole. The greatest job satisfaction was related to work nature and the least job satisfaction was with salaries and benefits. By increasing salaries and benefits and providing promotion opportunities, job satisfaction can be enhanced in this group.

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Background: Brucellosis is one of the zoonotic diseases that has always been considered a health problem in Iran. Since this disease is endemic in Arak and Markazi Province, this study was done to investigate its epidemiology during 2001-2010. Materials and Methods: In this epidemiological study, data on patients with brucellosis were obtained from the medical records in Arak Health Center during 2001-2010. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16. Results: During this period, 3880 new cases were reported. The mean incidence rate of brucellosis was 60 per 100000 people during 2001-2010. The greatest incidence was in 2004 (111.5 per 100000 people), whereas the lowest incidence was in 2006 (40.5 per 100000 people). Overall, 72% of the patients lived in villages, and 60% of them were male. The majority of the patients were in the second decade of their lives (10-19 years old). The majority of the patients had Wright test titer=1:320 and 2ME titer=1:80 in serology titration. Conclusion: Arak is one of the regions with high incidence of brucellosis. In this region, the patients are mostly male, live in villages, and age 10-19.

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Background: The aim of this study is to assess antioxidative and pro-oxidative efficacy of ascorbate on serum albumin during iron-induced oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, albumin was placed in the oxidative system containing iron ions and different concentrations of ascorbate. To monitor albumin degradation, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed according to Laemmli procedure. Oxidative modification of albumin was demonstrated using a method for determination of carbonyl groups by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Results: By applying the carbonyl assay, ascorbate showed a dual effect: initial pro-oxidative effect on albumin changed to an antioxidant one in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings showed prooxidant effects for ascorbate in low concentrations (0-100 µM) and antioxidant effects in higher concentrations (100-300 µM). Also, electrophoretic pattern of plasma proteins showed significant protein aggregations in the range of 35 to 45 kDa of MW and protein degradations in the range of 115 to 180 kDa. Conclusion: Ascorbate can produce reactive oxygen species and can also inhibit the production of these oxidants in the presence of iron ions as well. These findings may be directly applicable to oxidative states during the administration of ascorbate and may be important in preventing oxidative modifications of proteins in blood circulation and other biological fluids.

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Background: Dysmenorrhea is a common problem in women of reproductive age and despite the current treatments, it still remains a common problem in women’s health. This study was done to determine the effect of aromatherapy on pain severity in primary dysmenorrhea. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was done on 108 students with primary dysmenorrhea with pain score of 2 and 3 based on the multidimensional spoken criteria. After random allocation, the participants received massage with almond oil, massage alone, and massage with a mixture of lavender and peppermint essential oil a week before menstrual period until the presence of pain in two continuous cycles. During cycles zero, one, and two, the participants recorded the highest level of pain during the first, second, and third days according to the visual analogue scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: There was a significant difference in the total of the most pain in days 1, 2, and 3 among the groups(p=0.038). A reduction was observed in massage and aromatherapy groups(p=0.014). There were significant differences in within group comparisons (p=0.002) for zero and first cycles(p=0.016) and first and second cycles(p=0.002). Conclusion: Aromatherapy reduces menstrual pain and considering the prevalence of dysmenorrheal, the low price, and harmless nature of this essence, its application in relieving menstrual cramping and pain is recommended.

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Background: Measurement of mean arterial blood pressure is better predictive factor for pregnancy-induced hypertension than measurement of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure or systolic blood pressure. According to the theory of “protective effect of fish oil supplementation on pregnancy-induced hypertension “and the importance of blood pressure control in pregnancy, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of fish oil supplementation in pregnancy on mean arterial blood pressure. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 120 healthy pregnant women were randomly divided into two groups of 60 persons. Same prenatal care was performed for both groups and the intervention group was received Salmon fish oil capsule 1000 mg/day, from 16th week to the end of the pregnancy. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured in both groups once every four weeks up to 28th week, every 2 weeks from 28th till 36th week and once every week up to the end of pregnancy. Mean arterial blood pressure was calculated and all gathering data was analyzed with T test and Mann-Whitney test. Results: Mean arterial blood pressure in the intervention and control group was 80.76±5.50 and 78.46±4.50 mmHg which was not significantly different (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that adding fish oil supplements to the diet of pregnant mothers had no significant effect on mean arterial blood pressure.

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Background: Postpartum women are a population at risk for sedentary life. Previous studies have shown that self-efficacy is an important determinant of stage of change and exercise adherence. This study evaluates the relationship between self-efficacy and stage of change and physical activity (PA) behavior in Iranian mothers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 postpartum mothers were selected randomly from all health centers in Arak. The instruments used in this study included the 7-day PA recall, stages of exercise adoption tool, and self-efficacy for exercise scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: Ninety-one percent of the participants were in the pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages of change. Mean score for moderate PA was 38.94±40.5 minutes a week. Significant relationships were found between the stages of PA behavior change and METs of weekly energy expenditure from moderate activities (r=0.60, P<0.001). Also, statistically significant relationships were found between self-efficacy and the stages of PA behavior change (r=0.50, P<0.001) weekly energy expenditure from moderate activities (r=0.40, P<0.001), and pre-pregnancy PA behavior (r=0.39, P<0.001). Conclusion: The level of PA of the participants was less than the recommended minimum level for regular PA behavior (150 minutes of moderately intense PA per week). In this population, self-efficacy plays an important role in PA behavior and it should be taken into consideration in designing interventions for improving PA behavior.

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Background: Funnel plot is a graphical tool for investigating publication bias in meta-analysis studies. The aim of this study is to introduce another application of funnel plot that is monitoring one of the Iranian family performance indices and determining the position of each health center of Markazi province in terms of patient referral rates by general practitioners to specialists and to compare it with bar and caterpillar plots.

Materials and Methods: In order to draw the funnel plot, the average monthly percent of referrals for each district of Markazi province in 2011 was computed. In this study, Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education standard figure of 10% was considered as the limit of referral to the second level of Iranian health services. The 99% confidence interval of the control limit for each district was computed according to 3 standard deviations of the percent of referrals relative to the total patient visits.

Results: Based on funnel plot results, five out of ten districts were in the expected range of referral (Ashtian, Saveh, Tafresh, Khomein, and Komijan). However, in other five districts, the referral rate was greater than the expected rate (Arak, Shazand, Zarandiyeh, Delijan, and Mahallat). Mahallat district had the highest rate of referral.

Conclusion: The funnel plot was more informative than the other two plots Thus, it can be viewed as a useful tool in monitoring health programs throughout the country.

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Background: Retinoic acid (RA) is a vitamin A derivative and one of the most important inducing signals in vertebrates that is involved in differentiation, morphogenesis, apoptosis, and reproduction. This study was done to evaluate the role of RA in in vitro neural patterning of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs).

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, upon formation, embryoid bodies (EBs) from mESCs, Royan B1, were induced by 1 µM RA for four days and then plated for eight days. Untreated EBs were considered as the control group. Finally, in both groups, neural induction and patterning of EB-derived neural cells were evaluated by using immunostaining, flowcytometry, and RT-PCR methods.

Results: RA induced neurogenesis in ES cells, from which 35% showed to express MAP2. RT-PCR analysis also indicated that RA-treated neural cells derived from ES cells could at the same time express Mash1, Pax6/7, and Dbx1/2 as dorso-ventral (DV) pattering markers and Hoxb4, Hoxc5, and Hoxc8 as the rostro-caudal (RC) axis markers.

Conclusion: RA induces in vitro neural induction along with neural patterning of ES-derived neural cells in DV and RC axes. Keywords: Mouse embryonic stem cells, neural patterning, retinoic acid

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Background: Depression is one of the most common problems in postmenopausal women. Diosgenin present in fenugreek seeds present study the effects of menopause on depression in menopausal women took the city in 1390.

Materials and Methods: In a randomized controlled trial enrolled 60 women with complaints of depression caused by menopause. Beck Depression Inventory on a sample of postmenopausal women and the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The samples were divided randomly into two groups, Diosgenin (6 g Fenugreek seed daily containing 25 mg Diosgenin) and sorbitol (25 mg daily) for 8 weeks were placed before and after 8 weeks of intervention questionnaire, Beck completed SPSS software was used to test the statistical Paired test scores before and after treatment were compared.

Results: Mean depression score decreased after 8 weeks took Fenugreek containing Diosgenin and sorbitol as compared with before of intervention of this study and it was significant.The comparison did not indicate a significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion: According to the finding of this study, administration of 6 g Fenugreek seed containing Diosgenin for 8 weeks decreased menopausal depression . The need for further studies with longer duration and higher doses before any recommendations can be felt.

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Background: There is abundant evidence indicating that inflammatory mechanisms within the central nervous system contribute to cognitive impairment via cytokine-mediated interactions between neurons and glial cells. BAT1, a member of the DEAD-box family of RNA helicases, appears to regulate the production of inflammatory cytokines associated with AD pathology. In the current study BAT1 -22 promoter polymorphism was analyzed in AD and control subjects.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, genomic DNA from peripheral blood samples of 153 Alzheimer’s patients and 153 healthy controls was extracted using salting-out method. DNA analysis was performed by PCR-RFLP method and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: After genotyping and statistical analysis the results failed to show any association between BAT1 -22 promoter polymorphism and sporadic Alzheimer’s disease.

Conclusion: BAT1 -22 is not associated with Alzheimer’s disease in Iranian population and so has no effect on predisposition to sporadic Alzheimer’s disease.

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 Background: Comprehending of suicidal ideation and related factors has valuable clinical outcomes in domains of prevention and crisis intervention. The aim of the present study was to explore the predictive role of psychological, demographical and socio-economic factors in suicidal ideation.

Material and Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive study, 671 persons among general population of Semnan City were selected by voluntary sampling. Data were collected with NEO-Five Factor Personality Inventory, Symptom Check-List Revised, The Defense Style Questionnaire, The Beck Scale for suicide Ideation, The Beck Hopelessness Scale, The Social Support Questionnaire and demographical questionnaire, then analyzed by correlation and Logistic Regression with SPSS.

Results: Literacy level (OR=1.237 P<0.014), Family relationships (OR=1.873 P<0.010), Outcome (OR=4.211 P<0.003), Job status (OR=3.149 P<0.008), History of psychiatric disorders (OR=5.754 P<0.003), Hospitalization in psychiatric ward (OR=2.003 P<0.011), Neuroticism (OR=6.136 P<0.001), Extraversion (OR=3.612 P<0.005), Neurotic defense style (OR=2.468 P<0.005), Mature Defense Style (OR=4.107 P<0.002), Immature Defense Style (OR=3.059 P<0.003), Social Support (OR=7.609 P<0.001), and Hopelessness (OR=9.834 P<0.001) significantly differentiated persons with suicidal ideation from persons without suicidal ideation (P<0.001). These variables totally could correctly predict 97.4% of suicidal ideation.

Conclusion: In this model, risky psychological, demographical and socio-economic factors increase the odds ratio of suicidal ideation. These findings have importance for designing of preventive interventions and interventional programs for self-harm behaviors.