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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: Candida species are among the most important factors in development of fungal infection in human beings and animals. Noticing the daily increase of drug resistance, attempts should be made for providing anti-fungal and anti-microbial drugs. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the in-vitro effects of Scrophularia deserti ethanolic extract and amphotricin B on Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: In an experimental trial, anti-Candida effects of Scrophularia deserti ethanolic extract and amphotricin B on Candida albicans were evaluated using serial dilution method. Data analysis was done using SPSS, through paired and independent t-tests. Results: Minimum inhibition capacity (MIC) of Scrophularia deserti extract on Candida albicans in the first and second trials were OD600=1.56(59%) and OD600=1.68(59%), respectively, whereas this value for amphotricin B was 59%. The difference between minimum growth inhibition capacity of Scrophularia deserti and amphotricin B was not significant. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that ethanolic extract of Scrophularia deserti has anti-fungal properties comparable to amphotricin B.

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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: Mother and newborn's health is one of the important indexes in health services of every country and one of its main assessment indexes is the number of normal deliveries in each country. Identifying the effective factors in labor helps the right selection of patients the process of delivery. The main goal of this study was to assess the association between fetal sex and unsuccessful labor process which result in cesarean section. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 1537 pregnant women admitted for delivery to Taleghani Hospital of Arak during 6 months. Data were catch through a check list consisting of obstetric history, physical examination, labor process, and lab tests coupled with interview and observation. The results were analyzed through Chi2, chance ration analysis, and t-test. Results: Of the 1537 pregnant women, 74% had normal delivery and 26% underwent cesarean section. Of all infants, 35.1% of those delivered by normal vaginal delivery and 13.4% of those delivered by cesarean section were male sex while 38.9% of the infants in the normal delivery group and 12.6% of those in the cesarean group were female. These results did not show any association between fetal sex and type of delivery. Overall, 36.5% of the deliveries done through cesarean section were due to dystosia (18.1% male and 18.4% female) (P=0.934). Also,14.3% of the newborns delivered through cesarean sction due to fetal distress were male and 10.8% of them were female (P=0.162) while 10.5% of newborns delivered through cesarean section due to meconium were male and 8.5% of them were male (P=0.359). Conclusion: It appears there is no association between fetal sex and labor disorders which result in cesarean section.

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Background: Stress gradually makes immune system weak and suppresses it, therefore makes body susceptible to various types of diseases, and may delay the healing of the wound. The aim of this study was to show the effects of cold and immobilization stresses on wound healing in Balb/c mice. Materials and Methods: In an interventional study 30 female Balb/c mice were divided into 3 groups randomly. First and second groups were exposed to cold and immobilization stresses respectively and third group (control group) left with no stress. Wound healing was checked every other day and compared with each other. Results: Results showed that the mean of wound sizes of stressed groups was bigger than control group (p<0.05).The wounds healing duration was 11 days in control group and 15 days in test groups. Conclusions:Stress has negative effect on wound healing, therefore a peaceful and calm environment is recommended for patients with serious injuries.

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Background:Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide and one of its most desirable treatments is tamoxifen. The reported side effect associated with tamoxifen is endometrial thickness and increased risk of endometrial cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of tamoxifen on the endometrial thickness in amenorrhea breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic, cross-sectional study was conducted in Radiotherapy Departments of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences over a period of seven years.162 patients treated with tamoxifen whose bleeding cycle had been disrupted were selected and the relationship between tamoxifen usage and endometrial thickness was investigated in them. In addition, the relationship between abnormal vaginal bleeding and the ultra sonographic findings was assessed. Data analysis was done by using t-test and Chi-square test. Results: There was a significant relationship between tamoxifen usage and abnormal endometrial thickness while the greatest relationship was observed in the first year of treatment. The relationship between abnormal vaginal bleeding and abnormal endometrial sonographic findings was significant (P=0.001). The incidence of endometrial cancer in tamoxifen users was more than general population (0.61% vs. 0.1%). Conclusion: Considering the findings of this study, in the presence of abnormal sonographic and clinical observations indicating abnormal vaginal bleeding, pathological evaluation of the endometrial biopsy should be carried out for patients who use tamoxifen.

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Background: Noticing the significant role of fertility in Iranian families, the incidence of infertility and its social and cultural dimensions, this study was carried out to compare general health status of infertile women with fertile women. Materials and Methods: This observational case-control study was done on 147 women as the control group and 147 infertile patients as the case group who were matched in terms of influential variables. Data collection was done through demographic questionnaire and general health questionnaire (GHQ) which were completed by both groups. The results were analyzed by logistic regression analysis, t test, and chi-square using STATA 10 software. Results: Means of general health score in fertile and infertile women were 19.249.72 and 28.06 10, respectively. Here the mean score of the infertile women was significantly higher in comparison with the fertile women (p<0.001). Physical symptoms, anxiety, social interaction, and depression scores of infertile women were significantly higher in comparison with the fertile women (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the means of age and duration of marriage between the two groups and the distribution of educational level, occupation, and income levels were the same in the two groups. Conclusion: Average scores of general health and physical complaints, anxiety, impaired social interaction, and depression in infertile women were higher than those in fertile women. This indicates their involvement with some degrees of public health diseases.

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Background: Previous studies in Iran and around the world have indicated the high rate of medicines use. In recent years, medicine use has continued to rise in spite of attempts made by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran. Therefore, it seems that in addition to the reasons considered in previous studies, there are other reasons for this problem in Iran. One of the parameters involved in this problem is the high medicine use among the clinical staff. Thus the aim of this study is to compare medicine use among clinical and non-clinical staff members. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, information about the monthly use of medicines was obtained by means of a questionnaire administered to eight groups of clinical and non-clinical members: first-year medical students, first-year non-medical students, interns of medicine, forth-year non-medical students, general physicians, specialists, academic members with M.Sc, and academic members with PhD degrees. Results: The results showed that medicine use decreased with increase in education level in both groups. In addition, the comparison of medicine use between clinical and non-clinical groups showed that there is not a significant difference for most medicines among the first- and second-year students but medicine use significantly increased among general physicians and specialists compared to the control groups. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that medicine use among clinical staff should be considered in controlling medicine use in Iran.

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Background: Several studies have demonstrated that the levels of inflammatory markers in healthy women are under the influence of menstrual cycle changes. The aim of this study was to compare blood levels of inflammatory markers in women with appendicitis in different phases of menstrual cycle. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 70 female and 12 male patients with appendicitis, and 61 healthy women were enrolled based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inflammatory markers, such as leukocyte count, CRP, ESR, and TNF-α were measured and compared using student t-test and one-way ANOVA based on different phases of menstrual cycle. Results: There were no significant changes in the ESR, CRP, and TNF-α concentrations and the number of peripheral blood leukocytes in different phases of the menstrual cycle in women with appendicitis. The mean number of leukocytes and CRP concentrations were significantly higher in patients with appendicitis compared with the control group. Conclusion: The findings show that there are not significant differences in the inflammatory markers in women with appendicitis during the different phases of menstrual cycles. It seems that day to day variation of sexual hormones in the menstrual cycle have led to very different conclusions about the change of inflammatory markers in different phases of menstrual cycle. Therefore, studies investigating inflammatory markers in women with acute appendicitis based on day of menstrual cycle, time of sampling in the day, and severity of appendicitis are suggested.

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Background: To date, researchers have paid extensive attention to happiness and its relationship with a wide variety of personality, socio-demographic, and health-related factors. However, there is still little research on the issue of happiness. This study was done to investigate happiness and mental health and the relationship between them in the students studying at Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran, in 2010. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 315 students at Arak University of Medical Sciences who were randomly selected during 2010. The students' happiness was measured by Oxford questionnaire and their mental health was measured using GHQ28. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, Logistic regression, and Chi-square test using SPSS software. Results: The mean of happiness in the students was 40.72±14.14 with only 9.2% of them in the normal range of happiness. Their mental health score was 25.73±7.47 with 32.1% of them within the normal range. Pearson correlation coefficient showed a statistically significant relationship between happiness score and mental health score (r=-0.14, p=0.012). Conclusion: Happiness and mental health status in the students at Arak University of Medical Sciences necessitate the need for more serious attention to this issue in educational planning.

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Background: Considering the lack of a standardized and validated questionnaire on oral health care for pregnant women based on a specific behavioral pattern, the aim ofthis study was development and psychometric assessment of an oral health instrument based on Health Belief Model in pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 340 pregnant women in Arak city. After reviewing the related literature, the instrument was designed and its content validity ratio, content validity index, face validity, and exploratory factor analysis were measured. For measuring the reliability of the scales, three methods, including test-retest, internal consistency, and agreement, were used. Data analysis was done using SPSS software. Results: The reliability of the 61 items was evaluated with impact score of 1.5 and the content validity index of 0.79 and based on exploratory factor analysis were classified into seven categories. The overall reliability measured through Cronbach alpha was 0.84. The reliability of the questionnaire was 0.88, perceived susceptibility was 0.73, severity was 0.70, perceived benefits was 0.75, perceived barriers was 0.71, the cues to action was 0.72, and self-efficacy was 0.76. Kappa coefficients were determined with a high performance for checklists. Conclusion: This study provided good evidence of the strength factor structure and reliability of Health Belief Model structures about oral health behaviors in the vulnerable group of pregnant women, according to the study of psychometrics process.

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Background: Tuberculosis is an old problem that is currently considered a great challenge. Noticing Iran’s borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, which are among the 22 high burden countries around the world, the present study was conducted to analyze the current molecular epidemiology of TB and survey genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in Markazi province, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 57 sputum specimens from smear positive patients admitted to health centers in Markazi province were cultured on specific mycobacterial culture media. Genomic DNA was extracted by standard protocols of WHO and digested separately by PvuII and AluI. Electrophoresis was performed and DNA fragments were transferred to positively charged nylon membrane by southern blotting method and hybridization by PGRS probe. The hybridized strains were subsequently detected by enzymatic reaction and analyzed. Results: Genotyping of the isolates by PGRS-RFLP with Pvu II and AluI displayed a wide range of genetic diversity so that 50 and 45 genotypes were identified, respectively. Conclusion: Noticing the great diversity of PGRS in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, it can be concluded that in the study population, the majority of the patients hadtuberculosis with different etiologies. Therefore, it seems that reactivation of latent infection has had the main role in the spread of tuberculosis

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Background: Immune thrombocytopenic purpurais an acquired disorder. Conventional treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpuraincludes prednisolone (1mg/kg/day). Customarily, steroidsareadministered for about 3-6 weeks however,steroids have several side effects. The aim of this study was to compare theefficacy of two and three-week prednisolone therapy in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 66 patients with confirmed immune thrombocytopenic purpurawho had referred to KhansariHospital, Arak, were randomly selected and administered prednisolone (1mg/kg/day) for two and three weeks alternatively. Patients’ platelet count and complications associated with the treatment (diabetes and hypertension) were compared. Results: At the end of the treatment course, there was not a significant difference in mean platelet count between the two groups (p=0.748). Side effects in two and three-week protocols were 15.2% and 18.2%, respectively however, distribution of the complications (side effect) in the two groups was equal (p=0.9). Conclusion: Considering the absence of significant differencesin mean platelet count between the two groups at the end of the two treatment protocols and the higherpercentageof side effects in the patients that had received the three-week prednisolone therapy protocol, it seems that the two-week course of immune thrombocytopenic purpuratreatment is as effective as the three-week protocol.

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Background: Osteopenia is a common and sometimes disabling consequence of the treatment of common neoplastic diseases, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoma in children. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the preventing effects of alendronate on steroid-induced osteopenia in children with ALL and non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 30 children with ALL and NHL were purposefully selected. All patients received the same induction chemotherapy protocol. Then they were randomly divided into two matched groups. All of them received equivalent supplement of 400 IU/d vitamin D and 30-40mg/kg/d calcium. The patients of the case group received 35mg/week alendronate for 6 months as well. Lumbar spine and whole body bone densitometry were performd before and after intervention and Z score was calculated for all patients.  

Results: The mean age of the studied population was 6.11(±3.36) years and 15 of the children (50%) were male. There was no statistically significant difference in lumbar spine and whole body bone densitometry and Z score before and after intervention between the two groups (p>0.05). The improvement of bone densitometry and Z score were seen in both groups after intervention which was more in the case group but it was not statistically significant (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Administration of 35 mg/week alendronate for 6 months does not cause significant improvements in bone densitometry variables in children with ALL and NHL.  

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Background: Racial and environmental factors may influence the refractive errors, corneal curvature and thickness. These variables were evaluated in Arak residential university students.

Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional observational study 400 students aged 18-30 years old living in Arak city that were eligible for the study. Demographic and past medical history information of all students was recorded and the corneal thickness (CT) and curvature (CC) and refractive error were measured. The correlation between refractive indices and CT and CC were investigated in all cases and also in refractive subgroups.

Results: The mean of CT, CC and power were 533.22(±32.02) µm, 7.75(±0.28) mm and 43±1.66 Diopters respectively. There were significant correlation between refractive error and CT in hyperopic subgroup (p=0.029) and between CT and CC in myopic subgroup (p=0.007). The mean of CC of myopic and astigmatic subgroups were significantly more than normal cases.

Conclusion: These findings are similar to the other international researches about corneal thickness, curvature and refractive errors in normal population. It seems further studies with more and older cases are necessary to investigate the impact of climatic condition and industrial air pollution on refractive errors and corneal parameters.

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Background: Today, the self-assessed health status is a standard part of epidemiologic and community based studies. The aim of this study is to assess and evaluate the health related quality of life in Qom city.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, population of 340 people over 18 years of Qom city entered the study by filling the questionnaires. A two-part questionnaire was used to collect data which the first part was related to demographic data including age, sex, marital status, education, occupation and place of residence. The second version of the SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life.

Results: Generally, considering the all aspects of quality of life in this study, the mean (±SD) of scores was 67.69±14.78. This average was equal to 67.28±15.91 in men and 67.97±14.03 in women which showed a significant difference between them (p =0.030).

Conclusion: In this study the scores of women and single subjects were higher than other people. By the Persian version of 2nd version of SF-36 questionnaire, the quality of life people in different situations might be realized and impact of different demographic factors on quality of life could be measured.

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Background: Intraocular pressure (IOP) rise is the most common complication of Nd YAG laser posterior capsulotomy, and the aim of this study was to compare the effect of oral acetazolamide versus topical Co-biosopt in preventing IOP rise following Nd YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was done on 200 patients who underwent laser Nd: YAG capsulotomy. First group received oral acetazolamide 250 mg q 6h and placebo drops q 8h and second group received Co-biosopt) timolol 0/5% and dorzolamide 2%) drops q 8h and oral placebo capsule q 6h. IOP was measured before and 24 hours after laser capsulotomy.

Results: Mean IOP of right and left eye 24 hours after capsulotomy in the acetazolamide group was significantly decreased as compared to the previous (p=0.001) and in Co-Biosopt group the values 24 hours after capsulotomy was significantly decreased as compared with the previous in right and left eye (p=0.001).

Conclusion: According to oral acetazolamide side effects and desirable IOP reduction with Co-Biosopt that recently entered to Iran’s market and have typical domestic, this medication can be an option for preventing IOP rise after laser capsulotomy in a patient with posterior capsular opacification.

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Background: There are few studies related to effects of exercise training, including concurrent training, on hormonal changes in children. Hence, the aim of this study was to Compare theeffects of 6 weeks of resistance training and concurrent resistance and endurance training on aerobic power (VO2peak) and resting levels of growth hormone and cortisol in healthy children.

Materials and Methods: The subjects ofthis quasi-experimental study were 35 healthy boys between 9-11 years old, which were randomly divided into three groups of concurrent training (n=12), resistance training (n=11), control (n=12). Experimental groups were trained during 6 weeks 3 times a week.Control group were performed only their routine activities. VO2peak test was taken 48 hours before and after implementation of 6-weeks protocols and samples were selected from all subjects.Measurement of resting levels of GH and cortical was performed with ELISA method. For data analysis, one way ANOVA and paired t-test were used.

Results: The results showed that VO2peak and resting levels of GH increased significantly in concurrenttraining group (p=0.001, p=0.003, respectively). Resting level of cortisol in concurrent group was significantly lower than the other groups (p<0.05) and it was reducedsignificantlyin concurrent training and resistance training groups (p=0.001, p=0.036).

Conclusion: It seems a concurrent training period has greater benefits on VO2peak and resting levels of GH and cortical in children in comparison with resistance training.

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Background: Some children have abrupt onset of severe urinary frequency, voiding as often as every 10-15 min during the day, without dysuria, UTI, daytime incontinence, or nocturia. The most common age for these symptoms to occur is 4-6 yr, after the child is toilet trained, and the vast majority are boys. This condition is termed the daytime frequency syndrome of childhood or Pollakiuria. The condition is functional no anatomic problem is detected. The symptoms occur often just before a child starts kindergarten or if the child is having emotional family stress-related problems. OCD is a chronically disabling illness characterized by repetitive, ritualistic behaviors over which the patient has little or no control. OCD has a lifetime prevalence of 1-3% worldwide, and as many as 80% of all cases have their onset in childhood and adolescence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between OCD and Pollakiuria.

Materials and Methods:In this case-control study, we evaluated (152) children aged 6-18 years old who were visited in the pediatric clinics of Amir-Kabir Hospital, Arak, Iran. The control group considered of (76) healthy children and the case group included (76) age and sex matched children with Pollakiuria. Then, the children’s behavioral status was evaluated using the children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (C-YBOCS). The C-YBOCS is helpful in identifying children with OCD. The data was analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics in SPSS-16.

Results: OCD was detected in (5) case (6.6%) with Pollakiuria and (8) controls (10.5%). The difference in OCD was not significant (p-value 0.282) between the two groups.

Conclusion: OCD isn’t more common in Pollakiuria versus non-Pollakiuria children. It is recommended to conduct a study with higher sample volume in order to detect the relationship between OCD and Pollakiuria.

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Background: Allergic rhinitis is a common disease which is present in 20% of general population. Major symptoms include sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and nasal pruritus. It seems that tricyclic antidepressants blocking histamine receptors may be used as an effective treatment in allergic rhinitis.

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 84 patients with allergic rhinitis entered the study and randomly divided into two groups. Patients of 1st group received cetirizine and 2nd group received doxepin for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks patients were evaluated about sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and nasal pruritus.

Results: The results of our study showed that clinical score of patients after 2 weeks was not different in both groups (p=0.261). The only symptom that was affected by the kind of treatment and was significantly different between groups was sneezing (p=0.005).

Conclusion: It seems that there is not much difference in using cetirizine and doxepin in treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis sympotoms. It is recommended that future studies use TCAs with more potent blocking anti-histamine receptors feature and on more samples.