Showing 125 results for hadi
Asma Mahmoodi, Farhad Ghadiri, Ali Rashidi-Pour,
Volume 21, Issue 4 (8-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Stress is a powerful modulator of memory performance. Emotional arousal affects the various aspects of learning and memory through stimulation of the amygdala or the hippocampus. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of stress related acute exercise on reconsolidation of dart throwing task learned with errorless method.
Materials and Methods: Participants of the study included 60 girls with an average age of 20.5 who were randomly assigned to three groups including: target (n = 20), control (n=20), and control 2 (n = 20). On the first day, all three groups under the same conditions acquired the skill of throwing darts in an errorless method and immediately after that performed the immediate retrieval. On the second day, after memory reactivation, the target group was exposed to stress resulting of acute exercise while the control 1 group did rest. The acute stress was presented to control 2 group without memory reactivation. During the experiment, changes in salivary cortisol were measured. On the third day, the delayed memory retrieval for each of the three groups was implemented.
Findings: the results showed that while the control 1 and control 2 groups did not show enhancement of dart throwing learning across delayed memory retrieval than immediate retrieval, the target group showed substantial enhancement across the same time (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that acute stress after memory reactivation can facilitate the implicit motor memory reconsolidation in women.
Sara Vali Zadeh, Pezhman Motamedi, Hadi Karami, Hamid Rajabi,
Volume 21, Issue 6 (12-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Type 2 diabetes exerts an anti-angiogenesis effects on the cardiac tissue. The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of endurance training on gene expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 of cardiac tissue in type 2 diabetic male wistar rats.
Materials and Methods: 36 male wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, Diabetic Endurance Training (DET), Diabetic Control (DC) and Healthy Control (HC). Type 2 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The endurance training included 10 weeks, 5 sessions per week running at speed of 27 m/min and intensity of 75% VO2max for 20-30min in 1st week and reached to 27 m/min and intensity of 75% VO2max for 60 min/day in 10th weeks. The gene expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 were examined by Real-Time PCR AND Western Blotting.
Findings: The results of Real-Time PCR showed that the endurance training caused increase in VEGF mRNA (p<0.05) and VEGFR2 mRNA (p<0.05) compared to DC group. The results of Western Blotting also indicated that the endurance training induced increase in VEGF protein expression (p<0.05) compared to DC group and there was no significant change in expression of VEGFR2 protein (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Type 2 diabetes impairs the angiogenesis process in diabetic cardiac. It appears that endurance training has positive impact on angiogenesis and it can cause the improvement of diabetic cardiac.
Ali Asghar Ghorbanalipour, Pezhman Motamedi, Hamid Rajabi, Hadi Karami,
Volume 21, Issue 7 (2-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The eNOS gene that is responsible for the production of nitric oxide and angiostatin is an inhibitor of angiogenesis. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of endurance training on angiostatin and eNOS gene expression of cardiac tissue in type 2 diabetic male wistar rats.
Materials and Methods: In an experimental study, 36 male wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, Diabetic Endurance Training (DET, n=12), Diabetic Control (DC, n=12) and Healthy Control (HC, n=12). Type 2 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The endurance training included 10 weeks, 5 sessions per week running at speed of 27 m/min for 15 minutes in 1st week and reached to 27 m/min for 60 min/day in 9th weeks. The animals were sacrificed 24 h after last training session and the samples were taken from cardiac tissue. The gene expression of angiostatin and eNOS were examined by Real-Time PCR. The one-way ANOVA was used to analysis the data. The significant level was set at p<0.05.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved in Research Ethics Committee of Arak university of medical sciences with the code IR.ARAKMU.REC.1394.329.
Findings: The gene expression of angiostatin and eNOS of DC group showed significant increase compared to HC group (p =0.000). The endurance training induced significant decrease in the gene expression of angiostatin and eNOS compared to DC group (p =0.000).
Conclusion: It appears that gene expression of angiostatin and eNOS of diabetic cardiac tissue are affected by positive effect of endurance training.
Vahid Hadidi, Farhad Daryanoosh, Javad Nemati, Nader Tanideh,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (4-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a hind limb immobilization on the expression of PGC-1α, NRF1, Mfn2, PINK1 and Drp1 genes as the main regulators of mitochondrial quality and function in soleus muscle of endurance trained rats.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 15 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (control, exercise +immobilization and immobilization). The exercise + immobilization group run on the treadmill for 12 weeks and five times per week. The hind limb of the animal was immobilized for seven days with the casting method. Soleus muscle was extracted and the expression of the genes was measured by RT-PCR method. Univariate ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test were used to determine the differences (α = 0.05).
Ethical Considerations: This study with research ethics code IR.SUMS.REC.1396.S444 has been approved by research ethics committee at Shiraz university of medical sciences, Iran.
Findings: Results showed that immobilization in both immobilization and exercise +immobilization groups, compared to the conterl group, reduced the expression of PGC-1α gene (p = 0.001 and p = 0.045), NRF1 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.006), Mfn2 (p = 0.001, p = 0.001) and increased the expression of PINK1 (p = 0.001 and p= 0.001), but the expression of Drp1 gene didn't change significantly (p = 0.069 and p = 0.223). Also, studies showed that the expression of PGC-1α (p = 0.013), NRF1 (p = 0.001) and Mfn2 (p = 0.001) in the exercise + immobilization was lower in compare with the immobilization group. The expression of PINK1 was lower than immobilization group as well (p = 0.001).
Conclusion: This study shows that endurance training has a protective effect on mitochondrial quality during the immobilization period, but it can't prevent mitochondrial dysfunction.
Mohammad Khalili Kelaki, Ruholah Karimzadeh , Neda Soleimani, Seyed Masoud Hosseini, Maghsud Arshadi,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (8-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Background and Aim: Photodynamic therapy is a minimally invasive approach to cancer, which is used to combine non-toxic photosensitizer and visible light to produce reactive oxygen species and destroy tumors. This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity effect of Graphene Oxide (GO)as an organic matter with many oxygen groups on photodynamic on destroying cancer cells.
Materials and Methods: This study was performed on breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in vitro. The study groups included the first group of drug with different concentrations of graphene oxide (333.3, 285.7, 230.7, 166.6, 90.9,
47.6 µg/ml), the second group co-drug and laser light irradiation and the control group consisted of cells treated only with laser irradiation and the control group was treated with no treatment. Cells were exposed to visible laser irradiation (405 nm) at 0.1 W / cm2. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay.
Ethical Considerations: This study with research ethics code SBU/S.1397.46A has been approved by research ethics committee at Shahid Behesht University of Tehran, Iran.
Findings: The results of in vitro experiments showed that the dark toxicity of graphene oxide at concentrations of less than the 90.9 μg / ml concentration had no significant effect on cancer cells. Also, laser light alone don’t has toxic effect on cells. But graphene oxide-mediated dynamic light therapy has reduced the bioavailability of cancer cells on average by 21% over dark toxicity. Results are presented as mean of three independent replications, standard error, and p< 0.05 was considered significant.
Conclusion: In this study, graphene oxide is fully biodegradable at concentrations below a certain value, but with increasing concentration, the toxicity effect increases. With exposure to light and graphene oxide, viability decreses that it is more effective for in vivio studies.
Khadijeh Mohsenpourian, Mostafa Nokani, Hamidreza Jamilian, Mohsen Ghasemi,
Volume 22, Issue 4 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is the fourth most common psychiatric disorder. It consists of symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, rituals, behaviors, preoccupations, and compulsions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of attention bias modification and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in reducing the symptoms of OCD.
Methods and Materials study population comprised patients with OCD referring to the outpatient clinic of Amir Kabir Hospital in Arak City, Iran. Of them, 80 patients were randomly assigned to the two groups. The first group received the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and the other group received the treatment modality to determine the effectiveness of the Yale-Brown OCD scale and dot-probe task tests.
Ethical Considerations The Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences approved this study (Research Ethics Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1396.284).
Results Treatment of attention bias modification in comparison with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors did not show a significant difference in the reduction of attention bias (P=0.377). Also, a significant difference between the two groups in reducing the symptoms of OCD (P=0.007), indicates that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are more effective in diminishing the symptoms of OCD. Besides the attention bias modification decreased the symptoms of OCD, but these results were not significant (P=0.228)
Conclusion Attention bias modification is a significant improvement in reducing attention bias and can be used with other interventions. However, it appears that the reduction in the severity of OCD symptoms, as against this intervention, continues to be the preferred treatment for pharmacotherapy.
Shahrzad Hadi Chegni1, Mohammad Taghizadeh, Bahram Goliaei,
Volume 22, Issue 6 (February & March 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Human Serum Albumin (HSA) is one of the most abundant proteins in the blood vascular system which regulates the transportation of many chemical compounds and molecules. The purpose of this study is to review the studies about the effects of three groups of pesticides (Insecticides, herbicides and fungicides) on the molecular structure of HSA protein.
Methods & Materials: This systematic review covers 35 studies of biophysical studies of the effect of pesticides on HSA protein. These papers were searched in PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science databases and using Google Scholar search engine among those published from 1980 to 2019.
Ethical Considerations: In this study, all ethical principles were considered.
Results: Given the close relationship between biological activities of HSA and its secondary structure, the most of the reviewed articles analyzed the secondary structures of the HSA using various biophysical methods such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Circular Dichroism (CD) and computational analysis. In general, HSA-pesticides interactions can cause a reduction in α-helix structure and an increase in other secondary structures including β-sheet, β-anti, and random coils. In the most reports, it has been proven that the pesticides interact with HSA through hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. These interactions take place in the IIA subdomain (Site 1) of HSA. The binding constants of these interactions were in the range of 10 3 to 10 6 M-1.
Conclusion : The changes around the single important tryptophan residue of HSA (Trp-214) induce conformational deformity in the IIA subdomain of this protein which causes the loss of its native structure and leads to a decrease in free HSA concentrations which subsequently interrupts the transport of the essential compounds like drugs and hormones in the blood vascular system.
Khadijeh Ahrari, Mandana Gholami, Maryam Chamani, Hossein Abednatanzi,
Volume 22, Issue 6 (February & March 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Pregnancy and exercise training are associated with changes in the cardiovascular anatomy and physiology. There is a few studies on this issue in Iran. In this regard, the aim of this study is to assess the effect of a combined exercise training program on blood pressure and heart rate variability of pregnant women.
Methods & Materials: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in Shahid Akbarabadi Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2019. Participants were 10 healthy pregnant women with a gestational age of 24-26 weeks in the interventional group and 10 healthy pregnant women in the control group. The interventional group received 8 weeks of combined exercise training at moderate intensity. The blood pressure measurement, electrocardiogram and aerobic and resistant exercise tests of samples were performed before and after training. AST3000 Avicenna software was used to analyze the heart rate variability parameters, and for statistical analysis, paired and independent t-tests, Mann Whitney U, and Wilcoxon tests were used.
Ethical Considerations: This study with registered clinical trial code IRCT20190227042856N1 was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University of Science and Research Branch in Tehran, Iran (code: IR.IAU.SRB.REC.1397.101).
Results: The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were lower in the interventional group by the 34th week of pregnancy compared to the control group (P<0.05). The mean of time-domain parameters in the interventional group were higher by the 34th week of pregnancy compared to the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Combined exercise training can improve autonomic and parasympathetic nervous systems in pregnant women.
Naser Safdarian, Shadi Yousefian Dezfoulinejad,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (June & July 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Breast cancer is the abnormal cell growth in the breast. In both benign and malignant masses, there is rapid and high cell growth. Nowadays, due to the development of technologies, the diagnosis of diseases has become non-invasive and physicians attempts to diagnose the disease without surgery and based on internal organ images.
Methods & Materials: In this study, by using images prepared from the Digital Database for Screening Mammography (DDSM), a new method is proposed for detecting cancerous masses in the mammographic images using geometric features extraction and optimization of Support Vector Machine (SVM) parameters to classify breast cancer masses automatically. First, images were pre-processed and then boundaries were determined using threshold method. Next, morphological operators were used to improve these boundaries and the segmentation of images was carried out to classify cancerous masses. Finally, by using the SVM parameter optimization method, Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (GOA), and 4-fold crossvalidation method, data were classified into two groups of benign and malignant (cancer) masses.
Ethical Considerations Images from DDSM database were used in this research, all images are open access in this database.
Results: The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity values for applying the Radial Basis Function (RBF) kernel in SVM classifier (before optimization process) were obtained 97%, 100% and 96, respectively. After optimization of SVM parameters by the GOA, it was reported 100% for all accuracy, sensitivity and specificity indices for applying linear kernel function, indicating the high accuracy of the proposed method. The average values of accuracy, sensitivity and specificity indices for applying all three SVM kernel functions after optimization were 95.83, 100 and 94.81%, respectively.
Conclusion: The extracted geometrical features from breast cancer masses are highly efficient for model training and the diagnosis of breast cancer. The GOA could improve the overall accuracy of the proposed method by optimizing the SVM parameters. The results showed the higher performance of the proposed method compared to other methods.
Khadijeh Haghighat Gollo, Fariba Mahmoudi, Abolfazl Bayrami, Saber Zahri,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (June & July 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In patients suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), the secretion of the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) increases while adiponectin secretion and dopamine release decreases. Dopamine and adiponectin exert inhibitory effecs on LH secretion. In the present study the effects of L-dopa and dopamine receptor antagonists were investigated on LH secretion and adiponectin gene expression of in PCOS model rats to determine whether dopaminergic pathway might be involved in the decreasing LH via affecting adiponectin.
Methods & Materials: Following estradiol valerate- induced PCOS, fifteen PCOS rats were divided into 3 groups including saline receiving group, L-dopa(100 mg/kg) or simultaneous injections of sulpride(10 mg/kg), SCH23390 hydrochloride (1 mg/kg) and L-dopa(100 mg/kg), Five intact rats received saline as negative control group. Blood samples were collected via tail vein. Ovary and hypothalamus were dissected and frozen. Serum concentration of LH and relative gene expression of adiponectin in ovary and hypothalamus were determined by radioimmunoassay and real time-PCR method.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Committee of University of Mohaghegh Ardabili (Code: 95.125.1).
Results: Induction of PCOS caused a significant increase in mean serum concentration of LH and a significant decrease in mean relative gene expression of ovarian and hypothalamic adiponectin compared to control group. L-dopa caused a significant decrease in serum concentration of LH, a significant decrease in hypothalamic gene expression of adiponectin compared to PCOS rats. But it did not significantly increase ovarian adiponectin gene expression in comparison to PCOS rats. Dopamine receptor antagonists inhibit the effects of L-dopa on LH and hypothalamic gene expression of adiponectin.
Conclusion: Dopaminergic signaling pathway may be involved in decreasing LH secretion via increasing hypothalamic adiponectin gene expression level in PCOS rats.
Seyed Hadi Seyedi, Rambod Khajei, Amir Rashid Lamir, Mohammad Reza Ramazan Poor, Jamshid Mehrzad,
Volume 23, Issue 4 (October & November 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death and mortality in today's societies. Physical activity increases some of the influential factors for this disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic and resistance training on endostatin in patients with Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).
Methods & Materials: The study participants were 24 male patients who were randomly divided into the experimental (n=12) and control (n=12) groups with Mean±SD age of 55.37±6.90 years, weight 75.45±5.87 kg, height 173.27±3.36 cm and body mass index of 25.11±1.55 kg/m2. The experimental group performed 8 weeks of aerobic and resistance training (3 sessions per week and 1.5 hours per session) based on the measurements, while the control group did not exercise during this period. To measure endostatin concentrations, blood samples were taken 48 hours before and 48 hours after the last training session while all subjects were fasting. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test to normalize the data and Student t-test in independent and correlated groups at the significant level of 0.05.
Ethical Considerations: This article was ethically approved by Azad University of Neyshabur (Ethics Code IR.IAU.NEYSHABUR.REC.1398.018) and with the Clinical Trial Code IRCT20191228045916N1 in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.
Results: The present study showed that the aerobic and resistance training group significantly decreased endostatin concentrations (P=0.001) (t=1.672) compared with the control group.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, aerobic and resistance training decreases endostatin concentrations, known as an anti-angiogenic factor.
Mohammad Rahmanian, Ali Reza Kamali, Hadi Mosalanezhad, Mahdi Foroughian, Navid Kalani, Naser Hatami, Mohammad Heidarnezhad, Esmaeal Rayatdoost, Samaneh Abiri,
Volume 23, Issue 5 (December & January - Special Issue on COVID-19 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The recent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has caused a lot of stress and anxiety in the world. Given that health care workers are at the forefront of fighting against COVID-19, they are the first to be exposed to this disease.
Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on 402 medical and administrative staff working in hospitals and health centers affiliated to Jahrom University of Medical Sciences in 2020. Data collection tools were a demographic form and the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS).
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Vice-Chancellor for Research of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.JUMS.REC.1399.046).
Results: The mean score of psychological symptoms of anxiety in the medical staff (46.91) was higher than in the administrative staff (42.63). Its physical symptoms were also higher in the clinical staff (12.80) compared to the administrative staff (10.94). There was a significant difference between the clinical and administrative staff in terms of anxiety (P=0.030).
Conclusion: Medical staff has higher psychological and physical symptoms of anxiety compared to the non-medical staff during the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, in order to reduce the anxiety of medical staff, health policymakers should take the necessary measures to take care of this group.
Mohammad Ranjbarian, Korosh Etemad, Fatemeh Zarei, Rozita Farhadi, Jalaledin Sa´di,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (April & May 2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: It is almost impossible to imagine life without electromagnetic waves. Such waves play a key role in the function of melatonin and create numerous diseases.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 230 kV substations in Golestan Province, Iran in 2016. In total, 44 workers of electrical substations (the case group) and 23 workers of healthcare centers (the control group) with 24-hour shift works were enrolled in this study.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shahid Beheshti University Medical Sciences( Code: IR.SBMU.THNS.REC.1395.9).
Results: The obtained data suggested that 100% of the electric field intensity and the magnetic flux density measured at the substations were within the permissible range of occupational exposure. The mean level of melatonin in the case group was lower than that in the control group; however, no significant difference was observed in this regard (P=0.761). Additionally, there was no significant difference between melatonin level and age (P=0.381), work experience (P=0.213), job groups (P=0.515), and employee activity area (P=0.482).
Conclusion: According to this study, no significant relationship was observed between electromagnetic waves and melatonin levels. Moreover, electromagnetic waves were within the permissible exposure. Thus, electromagnetic waves did not affect the level of melatonin hormone in male employees of 230 kV substations in Golestan Province. However, there was a decrease in the case group, compared to the controls. Therefore, definite comments require further investigation.
Dr Hamidreza Soodagar, Dr Ali Farhadimahalli, Ms Hamideh Rezaei, Sir Mousa Reza Es'haqgh-Pour Rezaee,
Volume 24, Issue 6 (February & March 2022)
Abstract
N/A
Azam Nazemi-Harandi, Shadi Jazayeri, Haeideh Saberi,
Volume 25, Issue 1 (April & May- 2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim In modern life, emotional and social problems have taken the highest rank among mental illnesses. The present study aimed to provide a causal model for predicting children’s psychosocial problems based on parenting styles with an emphasis on the mediating role of social support.
Methods & Materials The present research was a cross-sectional analytic study. The study population included parents of children (under 5 years old with behavioral-emotional problems) referred to the comprehensive health centers services in Pardis City, Iran, in 2020. Of whom, 230 people were selected by convenience sampling method. Measurement tools included parenting styles, social support, and socioemotional problems questionnaires. Structural equation modeling with SmartPLS software was used to analyze the data.
Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University (Code: 99527).
Results The Mean±SD age of mothers was 32.87±7.87 years. Also, 60% of children were boys, and 40% were girls, with an Mean±SD age of 4.12±0.78 years. The Mean±SD scores of socioemotional problems, parenting styles, and social support were found to be 40.16±4.73, 152.23±18.10, and 34.66±6.49, respectively. The results of structural equation modeling showed that parenting styles had a significant role in predicting children’s socioemotional problems through social support mediation (P<0.05). Also, the fitting branches of the model showed the proper fit of the model through the composite reliability and the Cronbach alpha calculation.
Conclusion The results of the present study emphasize the critical role of early childhood life and the need to focus on support facilities for mother-child couples at this age. Accordingly, providing psychological and supportive interventions for mothers with high stress can result in parental adjustment and mental health and, subsequently, the child’s normal development.
Azam Nazemi Harandi, Shadi Jazayeri, Haeideh Saberi,
Volume 25, Issue 2 (June & July 2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim Emotional/social problems in childhood are associated with delinquency in adolescence, violence in adulthood, and anxiety disorders. This study aims to investigate the role of parents’ stress and perceived social support in predicting children’s emotional/social problems.
Methods & Materials This is a descriptive-correlational study. The study population includes all parents and their children referred to health centers in Pardis, Tehran, Iran in 2020 who had children under 5 years of age. Of these, 230 parents were selected by a convenience sampling method. Data collection tools were the Parental Stress index, the multidimensional scale of perceived social support and the child behaviour questionnaire-parent form. For data analysis, multiple regression analysis was used in SPSS software, version 25.
Results Among participants, 42.6% were employed and 57.4% were housekeeper. The mean age of participants was 28.42±12.5 years. The results showed that parents’ stress and perceived social support had a significant role in predicting children’s emotional/social problems such that they explained 44.7% and 8.9% of the variance in children’s emotional/social problems.
Conclusion Parents’ stress and support from friends can be effective in predicting emotional/social problems of their children.
Ali Moradpoor Shamami, Dr Masumeh Anvari, Seyedeh Tooba Shafighi, Hadi Sedigh Ebrahim-Saraie,
Volume 25, Issue 5 (December & January 2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Considering the importance of urinary tract infections caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) in the medical field, this study aimed to investigate serogroups O25 and O16 and the pattern of antibiotic resistance among UPEC isolates obtained from hospitalized patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Rasht hospitals.
Methods: A total of 110 urine samples were collected from patients with UTIs referred to selected hospitals in Rasht. The disk diffusion method, as recommended by the CLSI, was used to determine the pattern of antibiotic susceptibility. Serogroups O25 and O16 were detected using specific primers.
Results: Among the studied samples, 36.4% (40/110) were men and 63.6% (70/110) were women. Based on the antibiotic susceptibility pattern, a high level of antibiotic resistance was observed against nalidixic acid (81.8%) and co-trimoxazole (78.2%), while the most effective antibiotics were amikacin (85.5%) and nitrofurantoin (83.6%). In addition, multi-drug resistant phenotype was found in 72.7% (110/80) of UPEC isolates. According to PCR results, the frequency of serogroups O25 and O16 was 36.4% and 17.3%, respectively. Both serogroups had the highest resistance to nalidixic acid and co-trimoxazole, while the lowest resistance in serogroup O25 to nitrofurantoin (20%) and amikacin (14.3%) and in serogroup O16 to imipenem (5.3%) and nitrofurantoin (10.5%).
Conclusions: This study showed that the high prevalence of MDR strains among UPEC strains is very worrying and professionals should be very careful in prescribing antibiotics for patients. Like most studies, the frequency of serogroup O25 was high, and probably, this serogroup can play a role in causing urinary tract infections and antibiotic resistance of UPEC strains.
Toktam Masomi, Doctor Gholamreza Manshaee, Doctor Hadi Farhadi,
Volume 26, Issue 5 (December & January 2023)
Abstract
Introduction: This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of combined treatment based on virtual reality and mindfulness on cortisol levels in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder.
Methods: The study employed a semi-experimental design with a pre-test-post-test control group and a two-month follow-up period. The study population included all individuals with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder who referred to the clinics of the Psychological Services Center and Counseling in Region 3, the Counseling and Psychological Services Center of Welfare in Region 6, and the Aryaz Counseling and Psychological Services of Region 6, Tehran, from April 2022 to the end of autumn 2022.
Results: The sample consisted of 30 individuals (10 males and 20 females) with generalized anxiety disorder, selected purposefully and randomly assigned to a treatment group based on virtual reality and mindfulness (15 individuals) and a control group (15 individuals). Pre-test, post-test, and follow-up cortisol levels were measured, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) was used as the entry criterion. Subsequently, the experimental group received an eight-session, 17-minute weekly treatment based on virtual reality and mindfulness. Participants in this group, while immersed in a virtual environment, watched 360-degree virtual reality videos, "Walking by the Beach" and "Pebbles in the Lake," accompanied by mindfulness audio contemplation, "Being Present and Breathing," and "Wise Mind," using a VR headset and VR-ARBOX. The control group received no treatment.
Conclusions: After completing the interventions, post-tests and two-month follow-ups were conducted. The data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SPSS23 software, revealing that the combined treatment based on virtual reality and mindfulness was effective in reducing cortisol levels. It is suggested that this combined method is used as a clinical intervention in order to reduce the level of anxiety and cortisol of people suffering from generalized anxiety disorder alone or along with other psychological and pharmaceutical interventions.
Hadi Goudarzi, Ali Heidarianpour, Maryam Keshvari,
Volume 27, Issue 2 (5-2024)
Abstract
Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder in industrialized societies. As an appetite inhibitory and energy balance regulator, nesfatin-1 plays a substantial role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related abnormalities. This study was conducted to determine the effects of 12 weeks of combined training (resistance training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT)) on the serum levels of nesfatin-1 and some liver enzymes in men with NAFLD.
Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 20 middle-aged men with NAFLD were randomly divided into two exercise and control groups. The exercise program included 12 weeks of combined training, featuring two sessions per week of resistance training and one session of HIIT. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), nesfatin-1 peptide, liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), lipid profile, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and body fat percentage at the beginning and after 12-weeks were evaluated. Independent and dependent t-tests were analyzed to assess intra-group and inter-group differences, and the significance level was
P < 0.05.
Results: 12 weeks of combined resistance training and HIIT increased nesfatin-1 and decreased liver enzymes ALT, AST, and ALP in the exercise group compared to the control group and the pre-training stage (P < 0.05). We also observed an increase in VO2 max and a decrease in body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and LDL in the exercise group compared to before starting the training protocol (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that performing combined exercise training for twelve weeks led to an increase in nesfatin-1 peptide levels and a decrease in liver enzymes. It was suggested that this could be a cost-effective therapeutic approach recommended for patients with NAFLD.
Hadis Tahmasbi Arashloopour, Daryoush Khajavi, Fardin Faraji,
Volume 28, Issue 2 (4-2025)
Abstract
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disorder in young adults and balance problems due to MS may result in disturbances in upright posture, limitations in walking and turning, and ultimately falls in patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a combined physical exercises and cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention program on static, dynamic balance and balance confidence in PwMS.
Methods: The statistical population included MS patients (aged 20–60 years with Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] scores of 2–4) referred to the Arak MS Association. Thirty participants were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Participants underwent pretests using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, single-leg stance test, and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. Then, they participated in the combined motor and cognitive intervention program, and finally performed a post – test. Data were analyzed by Independent and Paired Student T-tests.
Results: According to the results, the mean score of the experimental group in the TUG test (P ≤ 0.002), and standing on one-foot tests increased significantly in the post-test (P ≤ 0.001). There were no significant differences in mean ABC scores between the experimental and control groups on the post-test (P ≤ 0.153).
Conclusions: The findings suggest that a combined motor and cognitive intervention program can effectively improve agility, dynamic and static balance in people with MS. Improving balance confidence may require a longer duration of training due to its subjective nature.
