Background: Endometriosis disease is considered as a common disease dependent on androgen hormones. Androgens have different effects on endometrial growth. Androgen receptor as a signal transduction pathway could have a key role in regulating the process. Over hundreds of mutations leading to resistance gene function in androgen receptor (AR) has been recorded. Among these, the seuaence of CAG repeat in exon 1 had the largest share of studies related to the disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the AR gene CAG repeat variations in Iranian women with endometriosis.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 100 women with endometriosis and 100 healthy women as controls were selected. Exon 1 was amplified using PCR. Products of PCR were studied to determine CAG repeat variation in acrylamide gels.

Results: The number of CAG repeats in each group was determined between 18-26 repeats (mean±standard, 18.35±3.3).

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, no significant differences were found between the two groups of healthy women and women with endometriosis. The number of CAG repeats in each group was determined between 18-26 repeats which indicates a lack of relationship between CAG repeat diversity and endometriosis. According to the information, this study was conducted on patients with endometriosis in iran for the first time, although studies with larger sample are needed.

Background: Azoospermia is defined as the absence of sperm in the semen and is divided in two types; obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. Non-obstructive azoospermia include approximately 60% of azoospermia patients. Several genetic and environmental factors can be involved in the development of non-obstructive azoospermia. Until now, several genes have been introduced as the causing factor of the azoospermia that are involved in spermatogenesis and testicular development. These genes are located on Y and/or autosome chromosomes .The aim of the present study was to investigate Y chromosome microdeletions and STAG3 gene mutations in Iranian males with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Materials and Methods: In this study, peripheral blood samples were obtained from 122 men with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia and 100 Normo-sperm men who had at least one child and DNA was extracted. Samples were investigated for the presence of Y chromosome microdeletions by Multiplex PCR. Then, existence of probable mutations in exon 7 of STAG3 gene was investigated using MSSCP (multi-temperature single-strand conformational polymorphism) method.

Results: 13 patients (10.66%) had Y chromosome microdeletions, but none of the subjects showed mutation in exon 7 of STAG3 gene. The Y chromosome microdeletions were found in none of the control individuals.

Conclusion: The results showed that Y chromosome microdeletions are the most important cause of non-obstructive azoospermia and should be considered as the main candidate for male infertility diagnostic tests. Mutations in the STAG3 gene are not common among non-obstructive azoospermia patients.

Background: Hearing loss is a common sensory impairment in humans which half of its causes are genetic reasons. Genetic hearing loss can be divided into the two types of syndromic and non-syndromic, which 80% of non-syndromic cases is Autosomal Recessive Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss. The aim of the present research is to determine the contribution of DFNB2 locus (MYO7A gene) in causing an autosomal recessive hearing loss in the one group of the deaf families of Khuzestan province.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 26 families with autosomal recessive hearing loss (with 4 patients) and negative for GJB2 mutations in Khuzestan province. 22 families suffered from ARNSHL and 4 families suffered from Usher syndrome. Linkage analysis was performed by using STR (Short Tandem Repeat) markers related to DFNB2 locus. Each family’s genotype was determined by PCR-PAGE method. Furthermore, haplotypes drawing and LOD score calculations were performed.

Results: From 26 families with hearing loss participating in this research, following genetic linkage analysis and haplotypes drawing, two families (7.7% of the families) showed linkage to DFNB2 locus. One family (4.5%) suffered from ARNSHL and another family suffered from Usher syndrome.

Conclusion: The results of the present research show that the contribution of DFNB2 locus in causing hearing loss in the population of Khuzestan province was similar to other studies conducted in Iran and this locus with other important loci should be considered to check in the hearing loss panel.

Abstract

Background: Operating room personnel are subject to occupational hazards which could lead to an increase in free radicals and develop various diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of consuming green tea on the improvement of the blood oxidative biomarkers in operating room personnel who are exposed to anesthetic gases.

Materials and Methods: This study was a before-after clinical trial which was conducted on 24 operating room personnel. They were invited to consume 4 cups of a green tea beverage, prepared from 3 g of green tea leaves in 300 mL of boiled water (at 80˚ C), daily for 8 weeks. Then, Myeloperoxidase (MPO), DNA damage, Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) in the plasma were measured in order to evaluate the level of oxidative stress biomarkers before and after consuming green tea.

Results: Green tea consumption by operating room personnel brought about a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and a considerable decrease in myeloperoxidase and DNA damage.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, green tea consumption as an antioxidant supplement by operating room personnel, who are regularly exposed to anesthetic gases, can minimize oxidative stress and DNA damage considerably. Thus, it is advisable for operating room personnel to consume green tea as a natural antioxidant supplement.

Abstract

Background: Infertility is described as a loss that this event is serious tension in life and it makes extreme trauma on couples. This research aimed to investigate the effect of group psychotherapy based on life quality on marriage intimacy of infertile women.

Materials and Methods: This research method was in semi-test methodology with pre-test, post- test and follow-up test plan with control group and statistical sample was 32 persons (16 persons in test group and 16 persons in control group) that they were chosen in available sampling mode from Royan center in Arak and both two groups were peer in research standards. Test group received training for 5 sessions in 90 minute. For collecting data, Bagarozzi marital intimacy questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed by analysis of covariance by using SPSS software.

Results: Results showed that life quality training affected significantly on marriage intimacy of infertile women and improved it. Significant difference between pre-test, post-test and follow-up average scores of test and control groups showed effectiveness of life quality training on infertile women ( p=0.003<0.05 ,f=27.57).

Conclusion: The research showed that group therapy of life quality plan affected on marital intimacy and improved it. Therefore, it is recommended as a supplement.

Abstract

Background: Ureaplasma and M. genitalium species belong to a kind of bacteria that are sexually transmitted and are the possible cause of pelvic inflammatory disease and nongonococcal urethritis, and et al. The aim of this study was to determine the urea plasma and Mycoplasma genitalium species frequency in women with vaginal infection and various sexual partners who referred to women^, s health promotion and treatment center in Arak.

Materials and Methods: Endocervical swab samples from 110 women with vaginal infections referred to women^’s health promotion and treatment center in Arak, were prepared. Patients’ personal information and identities during reception process were registered. The samples were transferred to the laboratory in the transport environment and after DNA extraction, were evaluated according to Real-time PCR assay.

Results: Urea plasma and Mycoplasma genitalium bacteria existed in 96(87.27%) and 4(3.63%) of patients, respectively. Among them, 4 cases had both bacteria infections. The amount of isolation in young women between 30-39 years old was more than others.

Conclusion: The results show that the colonization of urea plasma species in adult women is 40-80% and in studied group is 87.27%. These results indicate that with due attention to the increasing number of sexual partners and the increase of sexual activity, the urea plasma colonization of women will increase. In view of the potential influence of mycoplasma species on side effects resulted from pregnancy infection of mothers and mortality, on-time diagnosis and treatment will be increasingly essential.

Abstract

Background: Bariatric surgery is the most effective intervention for treating severe obesity and patient's adherence to self-management behaviors is essential to reduce complications after surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of BSSQ in Iranian population.

Materials and Methods: The statistical society was all of the obese patients that underwent laparoscopic obesity surgery in Shiraz Ghadir Mother & Child Hospital from December 2016 till June 2016, and 201 of them (149 females and 52 males) were selected by using available sampling method. They responded to demographic characteristics, post bariatric surgery self-management behaviors questionnaire and general and specific adherence scales. For validity, methods such as content validity, structural validity (factor analysis and correlation analysis), simultaneous validity were used. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined by using bisection and internal stability methods by Cronbach s alpha.

Results: According to the results of explatory factor analysis, sisx factors including eating behaviors, physical activity, fruits, vegitables, grain and protein intake, fluid intake and dumping syndrome management were elicited, that these 6 factors explained 61.54% of variance of self-management behaviors. Total score of correlation matrix BSSQ with GAS & SAS were 0.363 and 0.702. For reliability, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of this instrument was found 0.90 and guttman split-half coefficient was 0.78.

Conclusion: Results show that BSSQ has an acceptable validity and reliability and it can be used for assessing the post bariatric surgery self-management behaviors in Iranian population.

Abstract

Background: Hearing loss (HL) is the most common congenital defect in humans. One or two in thousand newborn babies have prelingual hearing loss. Autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) is the most common form of hereditary deafness. Hearing loss is more common in the developing countries which is due to genetic and environmental (cultural -health factors) reasons. HL has a wide range of clinical demonstrations including: congenital or late onset, conductive or sensory-neural, syndromic or non-syndromic hearing loss. The goal of this project is to determine the portion of the DFNB21 (TECTA) in ARNSHL in families with negative GJB2 gene in Khuzestan province.

Materials and Methods: We studied 21 families with ARNSHL with at least 4 patients and negative for GJB2 mutations from Khuzestan province. Genetic linkage analysis was performed using STR markers linked to DFNB21 locus.

Results: Following genetic linkage analysis and haplotyping, out of 21 families with ARNSHL, one family showed linkage to the DFNB21 (TECTA) locus.

Conclusion: The results of this project confirm other studies in Iran and give insight into the most common loci causing ARNSHL in Iran which could be helpful in research and clinic.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) plus carbohydrate (CHO) and whey protein plus CHO on muscle damage indices after eccentric resistant exercise.

Materials and Methods: Twenty four untrained healthy males participated in this study. They were randomly divided into three groups, BCAA +glucose (0.1+0.1g/kg) supplement group (n=8), Whey+glucose (0.1+0.1g/kg) supplement group (n=8), and placebo (malto dextrin 0.2g/kg) group (n=8). Each subject consumed a carbohydrate beverage with addition of whey protein or branched-chain amino acid or placebo 30 minutes before exercise in a randomized,double-blind fashion. Serum levels of Creatine Kinase (CK), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and muscle pain were measured before, 24, 48, 72 h after exercise. Follow-up analyses included 1-way repeated measures ANOVAs, and Bonferroni post hoc comparisons.

Results: 24 h after test, serum levels of CK, LDH and muscle pain in both supplement groups were increased less than placebo group (0.015, 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). Also, the levels of CK and LDH showed significant changes in both intervention groups compared to placebo group at 24 h (0.001, 0. 015, respectively). Similarly, significant differences in the levels of CK and LDH between groups were observed.

Conclusion: These data indicate that muscle damage and pain after resistant exercise were reduced by an ingestion of either BCAA drink or whey protein drink.

Abstract

Background: Pain is a protective process in the body. There are different pathways for pain control in the central nervous system. Descending pain control system is one of pathways. The periaqueductal gray (PAG) is a structure known for its role in pain transmission and modulation. The aim of this study is to investigate the percent of interaction between the left and right PAG in unilateral left foot induced pain.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 60 rats (280+30g) in six groups were used (3test groups and 3 controls groups). In test groups, 0.5 microliter lidocaine was injected in the left PAG, right PAG or both to make local anesthesia. In control groups, 0.5 microliter of normal saline were injected. After 15 minutes, 50 microliter of 2.5% of formalin were injected subcutaneously to right hind paw of rats and nociception was detected in every 15 seconds for one hour.

Results: The induction of unilateral pain (left hind paw) in rats, can affect not only the ipsilateral but also the contralateral PAG nucleus.

Conclusion: This study showed that the left and right PAG nuclei have significant role on unidirectional nociception in formalin test in rats. The contralateral PAG, however, has a minor effect on nociception.

Abstract

Background: Occupational hygiene is the art and science of the control of the occupational hazards and risk assessment is its most important duty. American Industrial Hygiene Association offered an accurate, sensitive and specific risk assessment method appropriate to the principles of the occupational health. In the present study, Arak Occupational hygienists idea about the strengths, weaknesses, administrative problems and improvement tools was asked.

Materials and Methods: This study is descriptive and analytical research and census in Arak Occupational hygienists(N=53). Data recording forms were designed to improve the appreciation and implementation of the method. An Excel® spreadsheet file was prepared to facilitate the calculations and keeping the recorded data. Experts’ attitude in this regard was evaluated using a questionnaire. Descriptive information was assessed by SPSS software and the relationship between variables was assessed by the Pearson coefficient.

Results Totally, 4% of participants in university were familiar with the method of risk assessment. In this study, 88% of the participants stated that the early identification forms were effective in streamlining the procedure. Furthermore, 84% stated that early identification forms were effective in learning the method. A fundamental issue regarding this method is its simplicity and ability to overall conception; that showed a uniform distribution from appropriate to inappropriate. The relationship between Excel file streamlining and simplicity of its concepts was found to be 0.743.

Conclusion: Application of tools such as identical forms and spreadsheets can help in simplifying and conception of this method and reduce some of the administrative problems.

1. Abstract
2. Background: Students face a lot of emotional problems and psychological stress that affect their individual and social adaptation as well as their quality of life. Therefore, examining treatment models for these problems is very important. One of these models, the Fractal Diagnostic Treatment Model, is based on emotional regulation skills for a wide range of emotional disorders that can be used properly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of integrated diagnostic therapy on individual and social adaptations and emotional adjustment.
3. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 female students were selected and assigned into two diagnostic groups (35 patients) and control (35 people). The experimental group received 12 sessions of diagnostic diagnosis weekly. Data were gathered in this study by Social Compliance Scale and Graz's Regulatory Emotion Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA).
4. Results: The results showed that transdiagnostic treatment focused on the dimensions of emotional regulation, including: refusal of emotional responses (F = 120.69, p < 0.01), impulse control problems (F = 14.57, p < 0.01), lack of emotional awareness (F =104.82, p< 0.01), lack of emotional resolution (F=42.64, p< 0.01), participation problems (F = 41.00, p<0.01), and limitations in achieving emotional regulation (F = 85.33, p<0. 01) is effective. Also, the results showed that exacerbation-based fetal diagnostic therapy was effective on individual adaptations (F = 146.76, p < 0.01) and social (F = 85.02, p<0.01).
5. Conclusion: Regarding the effect of Fract-Intervention therapy based on emotional adjustment on personal and social adaptation and student's emotional adjustment dimensions, these results are applicable to clinical practitioners, counselors and practitioners in academic counseling centers.