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Background: Nowadays, mothers have ceased to breastfeed due to several factors and resort to bottle-feeding or other forms of complementary feeding for their children. This results in physical and emotional problems for children, and socio-economic harms in communities. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of BASNEF model based education on successful breastfeeding in pregnant mothers referring to health centers in Arak. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out with the participation of 88 pregnant women. The participants were randomly allocated to interuention and control groups. Instructions were given in four sessions on the basis of BASNEF model and behavioral objectives. Eventually, the collected data were analyzed by using statistical tests. Results: Mean scores of knowledge, attitude, enabling factors and subjective norms in the inerurntion group before and after education showed a significant difference in comparison with control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Model-based education has positive impacts on behavior improvements. Thus, in health programs instead of applying traditional instructions, appying planned education programs based on health education models that have measurable and reliable effects is suggested.

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Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most important and most common fatal types of cancer in the world. Identifying new agents which individually or in combination with other agents induce apoptosis in tumor cells is surely of great significance in treatment of colon cancer. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of applying lovastatin and α-tocopherol individually or in combination with each other in the induction of apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells. Materials and Methods: In this trial, HT29 cells were exposed to various concenterations of lovastatin (5, 10, and 20 μmol) and/or alpha tocopherol (10, 20, and 25, and 30 μmol). After cell count, these cells were examined through trypan blue method and DNA fragmentation technique. Results: The findings of DNA fragmentation technique showed that each of the two drugs could induce apoptosis at all of the given concentrations. In the combination of 10 μmol concentration of lovastatin and 5 and 10 μmol concentrations of α-tocopherol, induction of apoptosis was not observed. Conclusion: Based on the extensive effects of statins, the concentration of lovastatin is seen as determining in its apoptosis function, and its combination with tocopheroles in high concentrations, by inducing apoptosis, can provide novel effective strategies for prevention of human colorectal cancer.

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Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the response of lung function indices to aerobic and anaerobic exercises in polluted air. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 20 healthy men were randomly divided into two equal groups experiment and control. The experiment group initially had one session of aerobic exercise and after a three-week break, received one session of anaerobic exercise on ergometer bicycle in polluted air. The control group did the same kind of exercise in healthy clean air. Lung function tests were run before, right after (the first post-test), and 24 hours after the exercises (the second post-test). Results: Aerobic exercise in unhealthy polluted air resulted in the significant reduction of FEV1, FVC, and FEF25-75% indices in the first and second post-tests. Following anaerobic exercises in polluted air, a significant decrease was observed in FVC and FEF25-75% indices in both the first and second post-tests. FEV1 and FEF25-75% indices in the first and second post-tests, and FEV1 and FVC indexes in the second post-tests underwent a remarkably greater reduction following aerobic exercise. Conclusion: While aerobic physical exercise in polluted air caused a reduction in the lung function indices (FEV1, FVC and FEF25-75%) in the first and second post-tests, it seemed that anaerobic exercises in polluted air induced a significantly smaller reduction in FEV1 and FEF25-75% in the first and second post tests, and FEV1/FVC in the second post test.

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Background: Adiponectin is a protein which is initially secreted exclusively by adipocytes but its secretion decreases in obese and overweight individuals. With its anti-inflammatory properties, adiponectin acts as an agent which can decrease the risk of type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine adiponectin serum levels in type II diabetic men and explore its relationship with insulin resistance following aerobic exercise. Materials and Methods: In this semi- experimental study, 30 men with type II diabetes were randomly assigned to training and control groups. The training group went through an 8-week training program which consisted of three 40-50 minute aerobic exercise sessions a week (running on treadmill at intensities corresponding to 30to 75% of maximal heart rate (35-75% HR max)). For measuring adiponectin and insulin serum levels, blood samples were obtained through ELISA technique in 2 stages, weeks zero and eight. For determining insulin resistance, insulin resistance index was utilized. In order to evaluate the results, dependent and independent t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficient were used. Results: The results did not indicate the presence of a significant relationship between adiponectin and insulin resistance following training (P=0, r=-0.14). In comparison with the control group, training induced a 39% decrease in adiponectin serum levels, a 10% decrease in BMI and bodyweight, and a 48% decrease in insulin resistance (P>0.001) Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that in response to the 8-week aerobic training program, adiponectin serum levels significantly increased while insulin resistance got decreased. In addition, there was not a significant relationship between adiponectin serum level changes following training and insulin resistance index.

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Background: Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are faint sounds generated within the inner ear that can be regarded as a sensitive tool for reflecting inner ear status. There are various factors that may influence OAE recording. One such factor that has not been extensively examined to date is body position. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of body position on the OAE responses of adults with normal hearing. Materials and Methods: In an analytic cross-sectional study, 26 normal hearing adults (18-25 years old) were evaluated. Transient OAEs (TEOAEs) were recorded in five different positions: supine, sitting, side-lying, 30°-Up, and 30°-down to evaluate their inner ear function. Data were analyzed using SPSS software 17. Results: Mean TEOAE amplitude values were significantly higher in the side-lying position compared to other positions (P=0.01). The most significant TEOAE amplitude differences were observed at the high frequencies (3000 Hz and 4000 Hz) in side-lying position orientation compared to low and medium frequencies. Conclusion: The results from the present study revealed that body position has a remarkable effect on inner ear function, and this effect is more obvious at high frequencies.

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Background: There is priority for evaluation of micronutrients (vitamin A) in the world, especially in develpoing countries like Iran. Vitamin A has an essentiall role in growth, reproduction, and maintenace of epithelial cells. Vitamin A, especially retinoic acid,  acts like a hormone for gene expression. Vitamin A is necessary for growth of bones and immune system. The role of vitamin A in reducing mortality rates of neonates is well recognized. The aim of research is to evaluate this micronutrient (vitamin A) and the rate of transportation from mother to fetus and its positive effects on birth weight.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 90 pregnant mothers were selected from private and public hospitals in Arak. Data were gathered through a questionnaire including general information concerning pregnant mothers and also their nutritional diet. The analysis of dietary intake was done by Nutritionist IV software. The measurements of serum and cord blood retinol samples were carried with reverse phase HPLC. Data analysis was done by Pearson correlation.

Results: The results indicated a positive and significant correlation between cord blood retinol of mothers and birth weight of neonates (r=0.22) (p&ge0.05). There was not a significant correlation between serum retinol of the mothers and birth weight of the neonates. Also, there was no significant correlation between retinol intakes of the mothers and birth weight of the neonates.

Conclusion: Improvement of the retinol status of mothers has an effective role in normal birth weight of neonates.

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Background: Saffron (Crocus Sativus) petals consist of, glycosides, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Due to the increasing use of medicinal plants in treatment of diseases and identifying their side effects on various organs, this study is to evaluate the effects of Crocus Sativus petals on biochemical blood parameters in male rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male Wistar rats with the mean body weight of 215±15 g were randomly assigned into five groups of 6 animals each. Control group received normal saline (10 ml/kg) and treatment groups received 75, 150, 220 and 450 mg/kg body weight of saffron petals extract, for 14 days. Body weight measured in days 0, 7, and 14. At the end of experiment, serum levels of liver function marker enzymes such as AST and ALT, total proteins, albumin, creatinine, cholesterol and triglyceride were assessed.

Results: Compared to control group, ethanol extract of saffron petals significantly increased serum albumin and also significantly decreased levels of serum cholesterol and AST (p<0.05). No significant changes were observed on serum total proteins, creatinine, ALT, triglyceride levels and body weight in control and saffron groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Increase in levels of albumin and decrease in liver enzymes may indicate the lack of liver damage. Reduction in cholesterol which is probably due to flavonoid extracts of saffron and no effect on body weight can be beneficial in the use of saffron petals.   

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Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal disorder affecting the reproductive and metabolic systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8-week pilates training on anti-mullerian hormone level and cardiometabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study with pretest–posttest design, twenty PCOS patients (aged 28.16±4.29 y) were randomly assigned to pilates training or non-exercising control groups. The training group took part in an eight-week progressive pilates exercise program, three times weekly while the control group were instructed to maintain their normal daily activities throughout the eight-week experimental period. Serum levels of anti-mullerian hormone, body composition and metabolic parameters were assessed before and after the training period.

Results: After an 8 week pilates training, insulin resistance index, total cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol, triglycerides and abdominal fat were significantly decreased (p<0.05). Furthermore, anti-mullerian hormone concentrations decreased significantly in response to pilates training (p<0.05).

Conclusion: These results suggest that pilates training can have beneficial effects on metabolic indices and ovarian reserve in women with polycystic ovary syndrome over a two-month period.

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Background: Heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) is commonly seen in adults. It is possible that old patients with HFNEF have severe clinical status. The aim of current study is to evaluate clinical and echocardiographic findings in old patients compared to young patients with HFNEF.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, 126 patients with HFNEF were evaluated in two groups of patients &ge60 years old (n=52) and <60 years old (n=74) for demographic, clinical and echocardiographic findings.

Results: Patients &ge60 years old had significantly more hyperlipidemia, less hypertension and more FC II. Patients &ge60 years old also had significantly larger septal wall thickness, lower end diastolic and systolic volume, end systolic diameter, E/A ratio and septal E’, lower diastolic dysfunction grade, higher left ventricle ejection fraction, left atrial volume index, E/E’ ratio and deceleration time compared to patients <60 years old.

Conclusion: Old patients with HFNEF have different clinical and echocardiographic findings compared to younger patients which are indicative of the disease severity in some cases. So, exact evaluation of the patients could be helpful in early diagnosis of these patients and providing an adequate treatment.

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  Background: One of the factors determining the survival and neonatal health is maternal proper nutrition during pregnancy. The aim of the present study is to determine the maternal nutritional status with a view to the intake of some nutrients and its effect on anthropometric indices of newborn .

  Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, 500 pregnant women referred to Sina maternity hospital in Ahvaz were studied. Dietary intake of calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin D was measured and its relation to average weight, length and head circumference at birth in infants was evaluated. Data were analyzed by using Independent T-Test in SPSS 17. P-value less than 5% was considered statistically significant.

  Results: There was a significant correlation between calcium intake rate, weight and length at birth. Between zinc intake rate, weight, length and head circumference at birth, there was a significant correlation. The maternal intake of vitamin D affected on birth weight(p<0/05). But, there was no significant association between iron intake rate and neonatal anthropometric indicators(p>0/05).

  Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the maternal nutritional intake of calcium, zinc and vitamin D influences on some infant anthropometric indicators.

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Background: Hydatidosis is one of the dengerous zoonotic diseases that cause serious problems for human health, as well as major economic losses for livestock industry. Due to the nature of the parasite life cycle and also the structure of the cyst in human, the control of parasite in community is difficult and its treatment has faced with a major challenge. One of these challenges is inactivating the protoscolices for treatment purposes and preventing secondary cysts. Different chemicals have been used in the treatment of cyst that most of them had serious side effects for the patient. The aim of this study was investigating the scolicidal effects of some herbal extracts in vitro.

Materials and Methods: Liver hydatid cysts were collected from slaughterhouse the cysts fluid containing live protoscolex was aspirated aseptically and stored at 4°C until use. Three concentrations (25, 50 and 100 mg per ml) of each extract (ginger and artemisia) prepared and protoscoleces placed into incubator at 37^oC. The viability of the protoscoleces was determined by eosin staining method at the times 5, 10, 25, 40 and 60 minutes.

Results: The methanolic extract of ginger at the concentration of 100 mg/ml leads to kill all of protoscoleces at 40 minutes. While the artemisia extract in none of   investigated concentrations had not much effect on the protoscoleces.

Conclusion: The study of animal models and complementary tests showed that methanolic extract of ginger can be used as an effective protoscolex for it has high activity.

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Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with reductions in fertility indices. Resistance training, on the other hand, through reducing the adverse effects of diabetes, exerts a positive impact on diabetic individuals. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of ten weeks of resistance training on serum levels of reproductive hormones and sperm parameters in Wistar rats with diabetes mellitus type 2.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 Wistar rats with mean weight of 200±50 were randomly assigned to healthy control, diabetic control and diabetic training groups. The diabetic resistance training group received ten weeks of resistance training (climbing up the ladder) following the induction of diabetes. Twenty-four hours after the last training session, left epididymis of the rats was examined for studying sperm parameters and blood serum samples were examined for evaluating reproductive hormones. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Turkey’s Post Hoc test at 0.05%.

Results: Ten weeks of resistance training induced significant increases in serum testosterone and FSH levels in the resistance training group in comparison to the diabetic group (p<0.007).Resistance training did not have any significant effects on serum LH levels in the resistance training group compared to the diabetic control group. In addition, sperm parameters (sperm count, survival rate and motility) presented significant improvements compared to the diabetic group(p<0.05).

Conclusion: Resistance training can improve sperm parameters, including sperm count, survival rate and motility, through increasing serum testosterone, LH and FSH levels (reproductive hormones) in rats with diabetes mellitus type 2.

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Background and Aim: Following physical activity in various tissues of the body, oxidative stress occurs and affects the antioxidant capacity and consequently the fertility of men negatively. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance training on oxidative stress and spermatogenesis quality. Materials and Methods: 20 male rats of Sprague Dawley (weight 200-250, 4 months old) were randomly divided into two groups of resistance training and control group (n = 10). The exercise program included climbing a ladder by hanging the load to the tail for 8 weeks (5 days a week, 3 times 4 repetitions). During the program, the load gradually was increased, and in the last week, it reached to 200% of the animal body weight. After intervention, the mice were anesthetized in separate groups and testicular tissue was isolated to evaluate Malondialdehyde index as an oxidative stress marker and to determine antioxidant capacity by Frap method. Fixation, processing, cutting of testicular tissue and eventually coloring steps were examined by Hematoxylin and Eosin (H & E). The spermatogenesisqualitywas calculated based on Johnson method. The data were analyzed by independent t-test was used and significance level was considered p <0.05. Findings: Increased Malondialdehyde levels were observed in the treatment group compared to control group (p =0.01). In the training group, the spermatogenesis quality was lower (p =0.013), the antioxidant capacity in the training group was significantly higher than the control group (p‏=0.83) and there isn’t any significant difference. Conclusion: The findings indicate thatdue to increased oxidative stress, increasing resistance training may have negative effects on the quality of spermatogenesis and men's fertility.

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Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on marital self-regulation, marital burnout, and self-criticism of infertile women.
Methods & Materials: This experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest design with the control group. The statistical population of this study included all the infertile women of Mazandaran Province, Iran, in 2018-2019. In this study, 30 infertile women were considered the sample size in the experimental group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (of 15 infertile women) and control (15 infertile women). The experimental group underwent mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (10 sessions 60 minutes), but the control group received no training. To collect data, we used the marital self-regulation scale of Wilson and et al., the marital burnout scale of Pines, and the self-criticism scale of Thompson and Zuroff. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V. 24 with descriptive and inferential statistics (multivariable analysis of covariance).
Ethical Considerations: This study with research ethical code IR.IAU.TON.REC.1397.030 was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Islamic Azad University Tonekabon Branch.
Results: The results showed that the scores of marital self-regulation of infertile women after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in the experimental group significantly increased in comparison with the control group, and also marital burnout, and self-criticism scores were decreased (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Therefore, it is suggested that counselors and therapists use mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to improve marital self-regulation, marital burnout, and self-criticism of infertile women. 

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Background and Aim: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has reduced the physical activity of people worldwide. The purpose of this study is to provide a practical guide for performing physical activities at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods & Materials: The study was conducted by using library method and reviewing the books and articles on home-based physical activity, to provide a scientific basis for performing physical activity at home. In this regard, various physical activities with and without equipment at homes were examined.
Ethical Considerations: This article is a review article with no human or animal sample.
Results: Home-based practical suggestions for staying active and cope with its physical and psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic were reported walking or running on a treadmill, the use of stationary bikes, and body weight resistance exercise, in addition to aerobic exercise.
Conclusion: This proposed physical activity programs can be used during the pandemic at home by people with sedentary lifestyle. 

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Introduction: Physical activity is one of the important lifestyle factors that can have positive or negative effects on the reproductive system, and more research is needed to reflect the effect of inactivity on fertility in order to provide safe lifestyle recommendations to help couples achieve pregnancy is required. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of describing and comparing the physical activity status of fertile and infertile men in Arak city in 2022.
Methods: The present study is a case-control study that was conducted on 220 fertile and infertile men (22 to 40 years old) referred to Arak University Jihad infertility centers that were selected through available sampling. Participants completed self-test questionnaires on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors. Anthropometric characteristics and body composition were also measured. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association of infertility with physical activity level, sedentary behavior, and body composition.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Arak University (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1401.046).
Ethical Considerations: The present research has been registered with the code IR.ARAKU.REC.1401.015 in the Ethics Committee of Arak University.
Results: In this study, it was observed that the amount of physical activity (P=0.02) and body composition (P=0.001) in fertile men is more favorable than infertile men. In men with a low level of physical activity, the risk of infertility increases 2.97 times (odds ratio 2.97 and 95% CI: 1.03, 8.61, and P=0.04). On the other hand, in men with moderate level of physical activity, the risk of infertility decreases (odds ratio 0.27 and 95% CI: 0.08, 0.92, and P=0.03). Also, in men who sit for more than 6 hours a day, the chance of infertility increases by 3.02 times (odds ratio 3.02 and 95% CI: 1.28, 7.10, and P=0.01). An increase in body mass index increases the risk of infertility by 1.61 times in men (odds ratio 1.61 and 95% CI: 1.23 and 2.11 and P=0.001).
Conclusions: Since obesity, physical inactivity and infertility in Iranian men are increasing at the same time, so there should be more focus and seriousness on the issue of lifestyle modification and especially physical activity regarding reproductive health.

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