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Abstract
Background and Aim: This study aimed to compare the microleakage of an adhesive fissure sealant (AFS), a flowable composite resin (FC), and a resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) in permanent teeth.
Materials and Methods: This in vitro, experimental study was conducted on 45 extracted posterior teeth with sound fissures. The teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=15). The occlusal fissures were sealed with Beautisealant AFS without etching and bonding in group 1, with Beautifil FC after 37% phosphoric acid etching in group 2, and with Fuji II LC RMGI in group 3. The teeth underwent 500 thermal cycles (5-55°C), and their apices were sealed with wax. They were then immersed in 2% methylene blue for 24 hours. Next, the teeth were sectioned buccolingually and inspected under a stereomicroscope to measure the dye penetration depth as an indicator of microleakage. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Chi-square test, and Scheffe test (alpha=0.05).
Ethical consideration: The study was approved by the ethics committee of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (IR.UMSHA.REC.1399.728).
Findings: The microleakage score of RMGI was significantly higher than that of AFS and FC (P<0.05), while the microleakage scores of FC and AFS were not significantly different (P=0.330).
Conclusion: The AFS showed a sealing ability comparable to that of FC, and can be used as an alternative to FC due to its fewer application steps. 

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Introduction: Nowadays, due to the increasing spread of electronic devices and digital transmitters, the general public is exposed to electromagnetic waves with different wavelengths. According to the function of the thyroid gland on the metabolic actions of the body, the purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the serum level of thyroid stimulating hormone after receiving short-term and long-term electromagnetic waves emitted from home Wi-Fi.
Methods: 60 rats in the weight range of 250-300 grams were randomly divided into 3 equal groups. The first group did not receive any waves. The second group was placed near Irancell's portable Wi-Fi device for 10 days,1 hour a day, and the third group was near Wi-Fi waves for 3 hours a day for a month. After one month, blood was taken from the mice and the serum level of thyroid stimulating hormone was measured.
Results: The data analysis showed that the serum level of thyroid stimulating hormone in the group that was exposed to medium-term Wi-Fi waves was significantly different from the control group, but the level of this hormone in the group that was exposed to the waves for a short period of time, it was not significant in comparison with the control group.
Conclusions: According to the present results, it is possible that electromagnetic waves lead to hormonal disorders in the body, and one of these disorders can be a change in the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone.

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Introduction: Several factors influence students' behaviors and develop motivation. Meanwhile, cognitive factors such as psychological capital play a more prominent role than others, and it is crucial to understand the factors that affect them. The current research purpose was to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness intervention and cognitive-behavioral game therapy on the psychological capital of female first-secondary school students in Amol City.
Methods: The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included all the female students of the first secondary school of the seventh grade of the public schools of Amol City in the academic year of 2023. Among them, 45 people were selected by the available sampling method and were replaced randomly and by lottery in two experimental and control groups (30 individuals in the experimental group and 15 people in the control group). The people attending the first experimental group received mindfulness intervention (8 sessions) and two sessions per week for 60 minutes, and the second experimental group received cognitive-behavioral game therapy intervention (10 sessions) and two sessions per week for 30 minutes. The questionnaire used in this research included psychological capital. The study data was analyzed using the repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) method.
Results: The findings showed that mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral game therapy affected the psychological capital of female students of the first secondary school in Amol City (P < 0.01). Also, mindfulness training on psychological capital was more effective than cognitive-behavioral game therapy (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: Although both methods of mindfulness training and play therapy improved students' psychological capital, the approach and method used in each are different. Mindfulness training focuses more on awareness and the presence of the mind in the present moment. At the same time, play therapy focuses more on strengthening psychological skills and abilities through interactive activities and games, which can better capitalize on increased psychological.

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Introduction: The postpartum period is a dangerous potential time for postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is the reducer instrument for postpartum support. The purpose of the current study is to determine the effectiveness of postpartum supports on the postnatal women depression after childbirth.
Methods: This study a semi experimental study was conducted in Marand hospital. Two hundred sixty mothers agreed to take part and were randomly allocated to an intervention group
(n = 130) or control group (n = 130). The intervention group received telephone counseling for 20- minute at the first week twice, second week till 6^th weeks once at week plus routine care. The control group received only the routine care. Also for evaluation of the unanticipated mother’s needs, 24-hour telephone access to researcher was provided. The main outcome measure was recording demographics data sheet, postpartum problem’s checklist and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) administered by presence interview questionnaire at six weeks after delivery. Control group received general postpartum education. The data were analyzed by χ², Fisher test and T test.
Results: At 6 week postpartum, mean of depression was obtained in the intervention group (15/80 ± 5/12) and in the control group (18/43 ± 5/90). On the EPDS scale, in the intervention group was significantly decrease to control group (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions: The result of this research showed that Postpartum Fallow Up by midwife could effective to decrease women’s postpartum depression in the pureperium.

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Introduction: Postpartum depression is a type of mood disorder that can affect pregnant women who have given birth and is affected by various factors, so the present study aims to predict postpartum depression based on marital satisfaction, satisfied body, and dysfunctional beliefs in women of Bukan City.
Methods: The present study is descriptive-correlational. The population consisted of all women with pregnancy in the last month in the first half of 2022 in the city of Bukan in the number of 2980 according to Morgan's table and with informed written consent, 340 pregnant women referring to Shahid Qolipur Hospital in Bukan were selected by available sampling method and filled in the questionnaire. Beck-2 depression, Edinburgh postpartum depression, Enrich's marital satisfaction, Body image satisfaction, and Weisman and Beck's dysfunctional beliefs responded. The analysis was done using a stepwise regression method.
Results: Marital satisfaction, physical satisfaction, and dysfunctional beliefs have a significant ability to predict postpartum depression at P < 0.01 level. This effect is inverse in marital and physical satisfaction and positive in dysfunctional beliefs. Also, marital satisfaction, with an effect size of 0.324, physical satisfaction, with an effect size of 0.497, and ineffective beliefs, with an effect size of 0.652, explain the postpartum depression variable. Also, the prevalence of postpartum depression among women in Bukan City is 30.6%, which is higher than the average of the articles recorded in this field.
Conclusions: According to the results of the research, Marital satisfaction, physical satisfaction inversely, and dysfunctional beliefs directly and positively predict postpartum depression in pregnant women.

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Introduction: Type 2 diabetes is a non-communicable disease that imposes a significant financial burden on the healthcare system each year. Numerous studies have demonstrated the involvement of inflammatory factors in the initiation and progression of this condition. The primary goal of this study is to compare the polymorphism of the interleukin 1 receptor antagonist gene among individuals with type 2 diabetes and those in the control group.
Methods: Following approval from the Ethics Committee of Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, blood samples were collected from 100 participants at Bohlool Hospital in Gonabad. These individuals were categorized into two groups: cases (individuals with type 2 diabetes) and controls (healthy individuals). DNA extraction was carried out using the salting out method. To examine the polymorphism, the specific segment was initially amplified through PCR with designated primers and then identified via gel electrophoresis. The data were analyzed using  subjected to the Chi-square test at a significance level below 5%.
Results: Findings from the polymorphism analysis revealed a notable contrast in the genotype 2/1 (P = 0.001) and 2/2 (P = 0.004) within the case group when compared to the healthy participants. Specifically, individuals with genotype 2/1 exhibited a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 15 times.
Conclusions: Within the examined population, the polymorphism of the interleukin 1 receptor antagonist gene substantially influenced the predisposition to type 2 diabetes, amplifying the likelihood of developing this ailment. Individuals harboring allele 2 are at an increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.

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Introduction: The stress caused by COVID-19 had affected many people in society, especially individuals at risk. The present study was carried out to investigate, firstly, whether COVID-19-related stress plays a mediating role in the relationship between rumination and aggression in drug-dependent people undergoing treatment. Secondly, the study was conducted to know whether rumination has an indirect effect on the aggression of substance-dependent people under treatment through the mediation of COVID-19-related stress.
Methods: In this correlational analytical study, 136 patients undergoing maintenance treatment with methadone who were willing to enter the study were investigated by the available sampling method in two addiction treatment centers in the 1st and 2nd districts. The data collection tools in the present study included the Corona Disease Anxiety Questionnaire, Rumination Questionnaire, and Bass and Perry Aggression Questionnaire. After collecting the data, the anxiety score of each participant was measured from 0 to 54, the rumination score from 0 to 88, and the aggression score from 29 to 145. Then, the data was analyzed using Lisrel statistical software.
Results: Findings showed that the direct effect of rumination on aggression is 0.23, which is significant at the P < 0.01 level. Therefore, rumination has a positive and direct effect on aggression. Also, COVID-19-related stress plays a mediating role in the relationship between rumination and aggression in drug addicts under treatment. In addition, the indirect effect of rumination on aggression is 0.25, which is significant. Thus, rumination has an indirect effect on aggression through the mediation of COVID-19-related stress.
Conclusions: According to the high prevalence of psycho-social problems such as depression, anxiety, fear, addiction, job burnout, suicidal thoughts, violence, domestic and post-traumatic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the post-corona era, we have witnessed a high amount of mental and social injuries in the world. For this reason, governments must screen psychologically vulnerable groups in advance.

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Introduction: Harmine is an alkaloid from the carboline family, belonging to the harmal plant, which has extensive applications in traditional medicine, with numerous studies highlighting its anti-cancer effects. Since biological processes are influenced by electromagnetic fields, the current study examined the anti-cancer effects of harmine and low-frequency electromagnetic fields on the expression of COX2, VEGF, and MMP-2 genes in the A2780 cell line.
Methods: In this experimental-laboratory study, ovarian cancer cell lines were randomly divided into four groups: control, harmine at concentrations of 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 192 micromolar, low-frequency electromagnetic field with an intensity of 50 Gauss, and harmine at a concentration of 48 micromolar with a low-frequency electromagnetic field of 50 Gauss intensity. Their toxicity was assessed using the MTT assay, nuclear morphological changes by DAPI staining, apoptotic effects of these compounds by measuring nitric oxide (NO), and gene expression changes by Real-Time PCR. Quantitative data were analyzed the ANOVA statistical test at a P < 0.05 level.
Results: Quantitative data comparison of this research indicated that harmine and a low-frequency electromagnetic field with an intensity of 50 Gauss caused a concentration-dependent reduction in the viability of ovarian cancer cells. Additionally, in the nitric oxide test, a significant decrease was found in the control group compared to the groups treated with a concentration of 48 micromolar and synergized with a 50 Gauss electromagnetic field (p<0.05). The expression of the aforementioned genes in treated cells showed a significant decrease. Treating ovarian cancer cells with harmine and its combined application led to significant nuclear morphological changes, including chromatin condensation, formation of apoptotic bodies, and wrinkling of the cell membrane.
Conclusions: The combined application of harmine and a low-frequency electromagnetic field induced apoptosis in A2780 cancer cells and resulted in the downregulation of COX2, VEGF-A, and MMP-2 gene expression. Consequently, the combined use of harmine with a low-frequency electromagnetic field, due to its effective cytotoxicity in inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis, could be a suitable candidate for clinical studies.

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Introduction: Delinquency is a serious challenge for teenagers and has significant negative social effects. The main goal of this research was to find out the structural equation modeling of extraversion and delinquent behavior disorder: the mediating role of moral intelligence among the juveniles of Kerman Correctional Center.
Methods: This was a descriptive correlational research of structural equation model type. The statistical population of this research was made up of 80 juveniles of Kerman Correctional Center, who were selected and studied by simple random sampling using Morgan's table. To collect information, Hans Eysenck's (1963) Personality Type Questionnaire, Goodman's Conduct Disorder Questionnaire (1997), Aiti Juvenile Delinquency Questionnaire (2013) and Link and Keel's Moral Intelligence Questionnaire (2005) were used. Descriptive and inferential statistics (structural equation modeling) were used for data analysis through SPSS-28 and Smart PLS-3 software.
Results: The results of this research showed that there is a direct and positive relationship between extraversion and juvenile delinquency. There is a significant direct and positive relationship between conduct disorder and juvenile delinquency. There is a direct and positive relationship between extroversion and moral intelligence of teenagers. There is a significant direct and negative relationship between conduct disorder and moral intelligence of adolescents. There is a direct negative relationship between moral intelligence and delinquency. There was no relationship between extraversion and juvenile delinquency as a mediator of moral intelligence. There was no relationship between conduct disorder and juvenile delinquency with the mediating role of moral intelligence.
Conclusions: According to the results, it can be acknowledged that moral intelligence is an effective component of delinquency affected by extroversion and behavior disorder in teenagers. Therefore, education and training programs should be implemented to strengthen moral intelligence in schools and families, because these programs can strengthen moral skills and moral decision-making power in teenagers and help reduce behavioral disorders and, as a result, delinquency.

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Introduction: The fundamental role of marital satisfaction is vital in family formation and marriage survival. Marital dissatisfaction can make couples fail to solve their conflicts. Marital discontent, combined with job-related stress such as pre-hospital emergencies, can lead to heightened conflict in job responsibilities. It leads to the effect on personnel, patients, and their families. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the marital satisfaction of pre-hospital emergency personnel at Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2023.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 pre-hospital personnel of Qom University of Medical Sciences in May 2023. The sampling method was a stratified cluster. The data collection tool included the "Demographic Information" checklist and Enrich's "Marital Satisfaction" questionnaire. Data analysis was done using descriptive tests, Independent T-test, and Regression.
Results: The average age of the participants was 37.3 ± 7.06. More than half of the participants had a bachelor's degree. Most people had rotating shifts. The average score of marital satisfaction was 145.94 ± 22.21. Based on the results of the multivariate regression test, the variables of education, employment status, work experience, type of shift, having a second job, and having a job other than medical staff explain 63% of the variance of marital satisfaction of pre-hospital personnel.
Conclusions: According to the findings of the present study, in general, the marital satisfaction of pre-hospital emergency personnel of Qom University of Medical Sciences is at an average to high level. People with a fixed shift, with a second job, high work experience, without a fixed job status, and bachelor's and associate's degrees had less marital satisfaction than others. Therefore, managers and policymakers in the health field must pay more attention to the quality of family life, especially the married life of pre-hospital emergency workers with the mentioned conditions.

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Introduction: Considering the synthesis and secretion of irisin and BDNF from muscle tissue during exercise and the possible relationship of these factors with improving muscle strength and performance, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of strength training on muscle strength, body fat percentage, irisin, and BDNF in inactive middle-aged women.
Methods: In a semi-experimental study, 20 inactive middle-aged women (mean age 37.70 ± 5.91 years, weight 79.80 ± 5.82 kg) were selected and randomly assigned to two strength training groups (n = 10) and control groups (n = 10). The training group performed 12 weeks of strength training, three sessions per week at an intensity of 65 to 80% of maximum strength. Then, blood samples were taken using ELISA to measure irisin and BDNF. Independent t-test and Pearson correlation test were used to analyze the data. The significance level (P ≤ 0.05) was considered.
Results: Strength training significantly increased serum irisin concentration (P = 0.035) and serum BDNF concentration (P = 0.058) and also considerably decreased body fat percentage (P = 0.058) in middle-aged women. There was also a positive and significant relationship between lower body strength and serum irisin levels (P = 0.040). The Results from the Pearson correlation test indicate a significant positive relationship between BDNF and upper body strength (P = 0.038).
Conclusions: Based on the results of the present study, it seems that increased secretion of serum irisin and BDNF hormones is related to increased muscle strength following strength training in middle-aged individuals.

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Introduction: Baclofen, a GABA-B receptor agonist, acts on presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Baclofen withdrawal causes activation of dopamine and noradrenergic receptors. Symptoms usually develop in 1 to 3 days of cessation, including altered mental status, worsening of spasticity, fever, weakness, autonomic instability, seizures, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, neuropsychiatric manifestations, and a life-threatening state. It can be observed in patients taking oral or intrathecal baclofen following sudden discontinuation or dose reduction. Baclofen is a commonly used medicine in patients with muscle spasticity. It can also relieve gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms.
Case Report: Here, we report a four-month-old Iranian boy with normal neurodevelopment who was referred to the pediatric emergency department due to extreme irritability, intense crying, poor feeding, insomnia, staring, and a seizure episode. He was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, with initial assessment of vital signs (mild fever, tachycardia, tachypnea), laboratory tests (anemia), brain CT (computed tomography), and EEG (electroencephalogram), which were non-diagnostic. Meningitis also was ruled out. He was started on serum and antibiotic therapy and intravenous phenobarbital, but symptoms and signs did not completely improve, and the patient was irritable and his poor feeding was continued. Further history revealed GERD treated with oral baclofen for three months, which had been discontinued three days prior to admission. Baclofen was restarted at the previous dosage, resulting in rapid symptomatic improvement. The patient was transferred to the neurology department and then discharged in good general condition with oral baclofen and phenobarbital. Phenobarbital was tapered and discontinued after two weeks without seizure recurrence.
Conclusions: After four months of follow-up, the patient was in normal condition. To the author's knowledge, no cases of seizures after discontinuation of baclofen have been reported in Iranian infants under six months of age with GERD.
 

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Introduction: Botulinum neurotoxin protein (Botox) is widely used for cosmetic purposes to reduce facial wrinkles without regard to its side effects. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Botox on blood biochemical factors and the kidney tissue structure of female rats.
Methods: In this study, 28 adult female Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into four groups (n = 7). The first three groups received intraperitoneal injections of Botox (in the lower third of the abdomen, one centimeter below and to the left of the navel) at doses of 4, 6, and 8 units, respectively, while the fourth group (the control group) received a saline injection. Then the animals were kept in the animal house for three months with full access to food and water at a temperature of 22°C and a 12-hour light-dark cycle. Following a 24-hour fasting period at the end of the study, blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture under ether anaesthesia. Then, the animals were euthanized without pain, and their kidney tissue samples were extracted for histological examination.
Results: Biochemical results indicated a significant increase in serum creatinine levels following injection with 6 and 8 units of Botox, indicating renal impairment. Although the increase in the amount of serum uric acid levels compared to the control group did not reach statistical significance at the 95% confidence level (P < 0.05), it showed significance at the 94% level (p < 0.06), suggesting primary renal damage. Histopathological examination demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of 8 units of Botox induced scattered and limited structural alterations in renal tissue, including vacuolar degeneration of tubular epithelial cells.
Conclusions: The results of this research show that the long-term and repeated use of Botox may cause significant renal damage in addition to local lesions and threaten a person's life.
 

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Introduction: In today’s world, with the expansion of electronic technologies and equipment generating electromagnetic fields, humans and other living organisms are continuously exposed to these fields. This exposure can have significant biological effects on the growth and function of living organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of alternating magnetic fields with different intensities and frequencies on the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli), a Gram-negative bacterium, and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a Gram-positive bacterium.
Methods: This study investigated the effects of alternating magnetic fields with intensities of 1 and 2 millitesla and frequencies of 50, 75, 100, and 150 Hz on the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The standard plate counting technique was used for this purpose. Samples were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours, and the number of colonies was counted as colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml).
Results: The results showed that the number of Escherichia coli colonies significantly increased under the influence of magnetic fields compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In contrast, the number of Staphylococcus aureus colonies significantly decreased after exposure to the magnetic field (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that alternating magnetic fields can have different effects on the growth of various bacteria. According to these findings, a decrease in the number of colonies was observed in Staphylococcus aureus due to the magnetic field, while an increase in the number of colonies was observed in Escherichia coli. These findings could be used in the development of new methods for controlling bacterial growth and in biotechnological applications.
 

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Nurses, as one of the main pillars of the healthcare system, have always been at the forefront of delivering medical services. However, recent studies reveal that this professional group is facing serious challenges in terms of mental health and job satisfaction, largely due to structural and systemic failures in the workplace (1). Data from the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the severity of this issue, revealing high rates of burnout among nurses. 34.1% experienced emotional exhaustion, and 12.6% reported a loss of professional identity. These figures reflect not only a transient crisis but also chronic deficiencies within the healthcare system (2).
Key factors exacerbating nurse burnout include workforce shortages, inadequate resources, and workplace violence
(3, 4). The global shortage of nurses is estimated at around 5.9 million, placing excessive pressure on the remaining staff. Additionally, lack of resources and specialized training, particularly during crises, significantly contribute to burnout risk. Workplace violence, particularly in emergency departments and psychiatric units, is on the rise, and many reports suggest that the actual number of incidents is much higher than what is officially recorded (2, 5).
The consequences of these conditions extend beyond individual nurse wellbeing, directly compromising patient care quality and safety. Meta-analyses have shown significant associations between nurse burnout and reduced patient safety, increased hospital-acquired infections, and medication errors (5). Furthermore, only 50% of nurses in 2021 felt that their organizations prioritized their health and safety (1).
The mental health crisis among nurses is also alarming. Rates of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and insomnia are considerably higher in this group compared to other professions. Predictive factors include understaffing, excessive workload, workplace violence, and lack of organizational support. In addition, the stigma surrounding mental health services acts as a major barrier for nurses seeking professional help (6).
Effective solutions include adjusting nurse-to-patient ratios, banning mandatory overtime, enforcing zero-tolerance policies against workplace violence, and strengthening managerial support. For example, California’s implementation of minimum nurse-to-patient ratio laws has led to increased direct care time, better patient outcomes, and higher nurse retention. Emphasis must shift from merely increasing nurse numbers to retaining the current workforce—a crucial step in healthcare reform.
In conclusion, considering the critical importance of nurse wellbeing and its direct impact on patient care, structural and supportive reforms must be prioritized by health policymakers and administrators.

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Introduction: With the advancement of science and knowledge worldwide, ethical challenges are increasing, and nurses' inability to face these challenges significantly impacts the quality of healthcare. Moral courage in nurses helps overcome fear and unethical values. The complexity of nursing work affects spiritual health and prevents nurses from adapting well to nursing challenges.
Methods: This was a correlational study using a convenience sampling method. In 2024-2025, nurses working at Amirul Mominin Hospital were selected, with a calculated sample size of 221. The instruments used were Sekerka's Moral Courage Questionnaire and Ellison and Paloutzian's Spiritual Well-being Scale.
Results: A total of 186 nurses participated in the study, including 119 women and 67 men. The mean scores of moral courage indicated that the moral courage score was higher among women and those with higher educational qualifications. Also, age and existential health were important factors in predicting moral courage, while religious health had no significant effect.
Conclusions: The study's results showed that moral courage and spiritual health, especially in existential dimensions, play important roles in moral decision-making. Gender and age are also factors that can affect the level of moral courage.

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Introduction: The problems in the field of sexual function and personality that most women with vaginismus face, highlight the need for research and increased attention to this area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of emotional schema therapy and group psychotherapy based on acceptance and commitment using the matrix method on sexual function and personality disorders in women with vaginismus.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, the statistical population included all women with vaginismus in Alborz, Kermanshah, and Torbat Jam. Among them, 60 were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups (20 in each group). The Women's Sexual Function Questionnaire (Rosen, 1997) and the Personality Disorder Questionnaire (Kohl & Kazen, 2009) were used to collect data. The first experimental group underwent emotional schema therapy intervention (10 sessions) and the second experimental group underwent group psychotherapy based on the matrix method of acceptance and commitment (6 sessions), and the control group was placed on the waiting list. Multivariate analysis of covariance, analysis of variance, and t-test were used to analyze the research data.
Results: The results indicated that there was a significant difference between emotional schema therapy and acceptance and commitment-based group psychotherapy and the control group in the post-test of sexual function variables (P=0.000, F=26.53) and personality disorders (P=0.000, F=7.27). Also, the effect size for sexual function variables and personality disorders in the first and second intervention groups and the control group was 49.7% and 33.9%, respectively.
Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that emotional schema therapy intervention has a greater effect on sexual function than group therapy based on acceptance and commitment using the matrix method, and group therapy based on acceptance and commitment using the matrix method has a greater effect on personality disorders in women with vaginismus than emotional schema therapy.
 

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Introduction: Exposure to heavy metals during pregnancy is associated with adverse health outcomes for both the mother and fetus. This study aimed to examine the impact of maternal exposure to heavy metals on pregnancy outcomes.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 270 pregnant women in Arak between 2023 and 2024. Urine samples were collected from 127 participants before 28 weeks of gestation and from 143 participants after 28 weeks until delivery. The concentrations of heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel, and zinc, were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), a method known for its high accuracy, precision, and reproducibility in simultaneous element measurement. Birth weight, small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants were assessed. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between heavy metal concentrations and birth weight after adjusting for confounding factors such as maternal age, body mass index, education, and smoking status. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between metal concentrations and the likelihood of SGA and LGA outcomes
Results: The mean concentration of lead in maternal urine decreased from 0.7 to 0.65 µg/L, while mercury increased from 1.95 to 2.7 µg/L. Cadmium levels remained stable at 0.46 µg/L. Higher concentrations of lead, cadmium, and nickel were significantly associated with lower birth weight (Beta for lead: -34.0, P = 0.002; cadmium: -21, P = 0.005; nickel: -44, P = 0.01) and increased risk of SGA (OR for lead: 1.04, P = 0.03; cadmium: 1.03, P = 0.042; nickel: 1.12, P = 0.03). Mercury and zinc were linked to a higher likelihood of LGA (OR for mercury: 1.07, P = 0.018; zinc: 1.011, P = 0.012). No significant associations were observed for arsenic and chromium.
Conclusions: Exposure to heavy metals is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as SGA and reduced birth weight. These findings underscore the need for biomonitoring of heavy metal exposure, maternal education for at-risk populations, and policy measures to mitigate industrial pollution.
 

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COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2 and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. One of the diagnostic methods is performing a swab test from the nasopharynx, which carries a risk of complications. In this article, we present a patient who developed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage from the nose following a COVID-19 test. A 54-year-old woman presented with unilateral nasal rhinorrhea after undergoing the swab. A skull base defect was identified on computed tomography (CT) scan. The defect was repaired via an endoscopic approach using periumbilical fibro-fatty tissue. This case highlights the need to standardize protocols for performing swab tests.

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Introduction: Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an immune-mediated inflammatory model of multiple sclerosis that induces axonal loss, demyelination and motor disabilities. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) possess multiple biological capabilities that affect the nervous system. The aim of the present study is to investigate the beneficial effect of low-intensity electromagnetic field on clinical symptoms, histological structure and gene expression in the cerebral cortex.
Methods: Forty-eight female C57BL/6 mice were used for this study. The EAE model was induced by immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). Subsequently, the animals were exposed to EMFs (1 mT, 50 Hz) daily over a period of two weeks. At the end of the experiments, body weight, clinical score (paralysis score), and lymphocyte infiltration of the cortex were evaluated in the experimental groups. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of Bcl2, BDNF, and Nrf2 were also studied using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
Results: EMF exposure significantly reduced the clinical symptom scores and decreased lymphocytic infiltration. The applied EMF also upregulated the expression of Bcl2, BDNF, and Nrf2 in the cerebral cortex compared to the EAE model.
Conclusions: Overall, the present study demonstrated that electromagnetic fields, as a complementary therapy, exert significant neuroprotective properties in EAE by inhibiting oxidative stress and reducing neural tissue inflammation.