Showing 24 results for Safa
Mahdi Taheri Sarvtin, Amir Farhang Zand Parsa, Parivash Kordbacheh, Jamal Hashemi, Mahmood Mahmoudi, Roshanak Daie, Mahin Safara, Ayat Ahmadi, Mahdi Osooli,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (4-2010)
Abstract
Background: Candida species are the most common yeasts that reside in oral cavity in 30 - 50% of people, and are capable to produce opportunistic infections within the oral cavity. This study was done to determine the effect of cigarette smoking on the type and degree of Candida oral carriage.
Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, oral Candida flora in 34 smoker and 66 non-smoker men were compared. All of the samples were collected by swab and examined by direct microscopy and culture on CHOROM agar Candida and corn meal agar media. Isolated colonies were identified by carbohydrate assimilation method using RapID Yeast PLUS System.
Results: Out of the 34 smoker individuals, 27(79.4%) had Candida colonization in their oral cavity while 30(45.5%) of the 66 non-smoker individuals had developed this kind of colonization. A significant difference was observed between the two groups (p<0.05). Additionally, there was a significant difference in the degree of colonisation and the type of candida species which were isolated from the oral cavity of the smoker and nonsmoker groups.
Conclusion: Cigarette smoking can act as an important underlying factor in oral candidiasis.
Mohammad Heidarzadeh, Abolfazl Safaralizadeh, Reza Shabanloei,
Volume 13, Issue 3 (9-2010)
Abstract
Background: Among respiratory support techniques, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and mechanical ventilation (MV) are more known for their effectivity in reducing complications associated with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Moreover, early application of NCPAP and administration of surfactant are effective in decreasing the need for MV and its adverse effects. This study was designed to compare NCPAP and MV after administration of surfactant in preterm neonates with RDS. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 60 preterm neonates (<32 weeks) were evaluated. After receiving one dose of surfactant (4 cc/kg), the subjects were randomly divided into treatment and control groups, and respiratory support was established via positive airway pressure or MV. Results: There were no significant differences between the neonates in the two groups in terms of gestational age and birth weight. The mean duration of MV was significantly lower in the treatment group (p=0.001). On day 3, the number of ventilator-dependent neonates in the control group was more (26.7% versus 83.3%). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the number of second surfactant doses, mortality rate, and the number of patients who had developed short-term complications during hospital stay. Conclusion: In a significant number of preterm babies with RDS, NCPAP can be extubated after receiving one dose of surfactant. This is a potentially useful modality for respiratory support with a low mortality and morbidity rate and limited complications in very premature infants.
Mohamd َali Atari, Masih Sabouri, Mehrdad Masoudifar, Saeid Abrishamkar, Mohamad Reza Safavi,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (7-2011)
Abstract
Background: Systemic and hemodynamic complications associated with stereotactic and Mayfield pin insertion pain and is one of the major problems in neuro-anesthesiology. The aim of this study was to decrease patients' hypertensive response to pain and stressful condition of the disease which may bring about problems during operation.
Materials and Methods: In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, thirty 16-65 year old ASA I and II patients at Al-Zahra Hospital of Isfahan were analyzed between September 2008 and November 2009. The level of pain according to VAS of pain was obtained from the patients in three stages: After pin insertion (stage 1), while returning from MRI (stage 2), and at the end of the procedure (stage 3) and recorded in the questionnaire. Data were analyzed through SPSS software.
Results: The mean VAS of pin insertion pain for lidocaine in the three stages was 5.46, 5.00, and 2.46 and for bupivacaine was 5.76, 3.76 and 1.40, respectively (P<0.005). This indicated a significant difference between lidocaine and bupivacaine.
Conclusion: As stereotactic operations take 3 to 3.5 hours on average, the use of bupivacaine instead of lidocaine is highly recommend during pin insertion.
Nastaran Safavi Ardebili, Nourossadat Kariman, Abbas Hajifathali, Hamid Alavi Majd,
Volume 14, Issue 4 (9-2011)
Abstract
Background: Preeclampsia is one of major reasons of mortality in mother and child and its early diagnosis is one of the most important parts of health care during pregnancy. The current study was done to find the relationship between hemoglobin and hematocrit in the first trimester of pregnancy and the incidence of preeclampsia in women referring to Milad Hospital in Tehran in 2009-2010.
Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 700 pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy, selected by convenience sampling. Prenatal tests were run in Milad Hospital and the results were recorded. Then samples were monitored for preeclampsia until delivery. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 18 (P < 0.05).
Results: The highest percentage of research groups suffering from preeclampsia was in hemoglobin ≥12/5% g/dl and hematocrit of ≥38% group. There was a significant relationship between hemoglobin and hematocrit levels during the first trimester of pregnancy and preeclampsia (P<0.001, P=0.002). Hemoglobin of ≥ 12.45 g/dl presented a sensitivity of 85%, the specificity of 43.04%, positive predictive value of 9.63%, and negative predictive value of 97.57%. Hematocrit of ≥ 38% presented the sensitivity of 77.5%, the specificity of 50.71, the positive predictive value of 10.1%, and the negative predictive value of 96.93%.
Conclusion: The presence of high hemoglobin and hematocrit in the first trimester of pregnancy can be a predictive factor for diagnosing preeclampsia
Hosein Honari, Iman Amlashi, Mohammad Ebrahim Minaee, Sadegh Safaee,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (7-2013)
Abstract
Background: Shigellosis is a major global issue of human health. To date, no effective vaccine has been found against Shigella. One of the major virulent factors in Shigella dysenteriae type 1 is Shigella enterotoxin or STx. STxB has immunogenic, adjuvant, or carrier properties. Vaccine candidate antigens can be coupled with this adjuvant for production of an appropriate vaccine. IpaD has a key role in invasion, virulence, and infection by Shigella.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the gene sequences of STXB and ipaD were obtained from gene bank and corresponding genes were prepared as synthetic construct and then transferred to E. coli BL21DE3. By PCR amplification and enzymatic digestion, protein expression levels were assessed. Its protein expression was confirmed by Western blot technique. After extraction by affinity chromatography, the recombinant protein was injected four times to guinea pigs. The pigs were, then, challenged by Shigella felexneri 2a and active toxin of E. coli O157:H7.
Results: The results showed that groups of guinea pigs challenged with 28×LD50 of toxin completely survived. Furthermore, guinea pigs were challenged by inducing Shigella felexneri 2a in their eyes. The results showed that the control pigs got cataracts, whereas the immune pigs were in health.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that this recombinant protein is a good candidate for production of a recombinant vaccine against Shigella family.
Salman Ahmady Asbchin1, Moein Safari, Hosein Moradi, Vahid Sayadi,
Volume 16, Issue 6 (9-2013)
Abstract
Background: The most important pathogen in nosocomial infections are microorganisms in the patient's body. 90 percent of nosocomial infections caused by bacteria. Medlar is an medicinal plant that its therapeutic effects has historically been emphasized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of methanolic and ethanolic leaf extract of medlar against bacteria isolated from hospital environment.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the Nosocomial bacteria were obtained from Shahid Mostafa Khomeini hospital, Ilam, Iran. Soxhlet extraction method was used for medlar leaf extract. Disk diffusion method was used to study the effect of antimicrobial and broth microdilution method were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC).
Results: Two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, three strain of Staphylococcus aureus and five strains of Escherichia coli were isolated from hospital. The results showed that the methanolic extract of Medlar leaf inhibited the growth of all strains of pseudomonas aeruginosa and four strain of Staphylococcus aureus and also inhibits the growth of all strains of Escherichia coli strains except E4 strain. The maximum antimicrobial activity was against E2 strain that zone diameter around it was 19/67 Millimeters. Quantities of minimum inhibitory concentration for all three strains P1, P2 and P3 and E2, E3, E5, S1, S2 and S3 strains was equals with 125 mg/ml.
Conclusion: Medlar leaf methanolic extract possesses significant antibacterial activity against bacteria causing nosocomial infections and so this extract can be considered in the control of infectious diseases.
Reza Dehghanzadeh, Navid Safavy, Seyed Jamal Ghaem Maghami Hezaveh, Mojtaba Pourakbar, Shahram Nazari,
Volume 17, Issue 6 (9-2014)
Abstract
Background: Drugs residual discharge into the environment through municipal and hospital wastewaters is one of the emergent environmental problems. Imipenem as a professional hospital antibiotic is widely used against gram- positive and negative bacteria and with entrance to the aquatic environments could prompt a lot of risks such as bacteria resistance, allergies, spoiling alga and daphnia and interrupting in wastewater treatment processes. Therefore there is a command to develop a method for extraction and determination of Imipenem from hospital sewage.
Materials and Methods: Solid phase extraction (SPE) was used to extract Imipenem from samples. Recovery percentage calculated at different pH of 3 and 7. The extracted samples analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) equipped with UV detector. HPLC operated using borate buffer/methanol as mobile phase at flow rate of 0.7 ml/min, column temperature of 20 °C, and UV wavelength of 280-300 nm.
Results: Maximum recovery percentage was obtained 68% at pH=7. The best condition for HPLC was 80:20 ratio of borate buffer/methanol with pH=7.5 and at UV wavelength of 300 nm. Linearity calculated 0.9829, primary and intermediate precision both were more than 95%. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 3 and 10 µg/l respectively.
Conclusion: The method could simply and with significant reliability be applied to extract and determinate Imipenem in complex hospital wastewater matrixes.
Behnaz Tavasoli, Saber Ebrahimi, Rima Manafi, Fatemeh Kiani, Majid Safa, Ahmad Kazemi,
Volume 17, Issue 7 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of cancer in children. Currently, chemotherapy is the most effective method of leukemia cancer treatmentwhich has many side effects. New strategies in cancer therapy utilizecompounds that specifically target aberrant signaling pathways in order to reduce toxic sideeffects Indole-3-carbinl (I3C) found in vegetables has multiple anti-cancer properties because of its ability to modulate multiple cellular signaling pathways. In this study the molecular mechanism of the action of indole-3-carbinol on pre- B ALL cells was investigated.
Materials and Methods: In current study, NALM-6 cells were treated with different concentrations of I3C at specific times. Analysis of cellular DNA content was performed by flow cytometry for evaluation of cell cycle status. The protein expression of p21, p53 as well as c-Myc proteins was determined by Western blot in I3C-treated cells.
Results: Cell cycle histogram analysis showed that I3C significantly increased the percentage of G1 cells compared with non-treated cells (control)(p<0.05). The western blot analysis also indicated I3C significantly up regulated p21, p53 expression and down regulated c-Myc expression (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The G1 arrest induced by I3C is associated with down-regulation of c-Myc and up-regulation of p53 and its downstream target p21.
Hassan Izanloo, Mohammad Ahmadi Jebelli, Shahram Nazari, Navid Safavi, Hamid Reza Tashayoe, Gharib Majidi, Mohammad Khazaei, Vahid Vaziri Rad, Behnam Vakili, Hussein Aghababaei,
Volume 17, Issue 9 (12-2014)
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to examine the antibacterial effect of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer on Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the antibacterial effects of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer were studied by disc diffusion and micro-dilution method. Different concentrations of Polyamidoamine-G4 inoculated onto blank disks and were placed in Mueller-Hinton agar media. Zone of inhibition was investigated by bacterial inoculation according to the McFarland standard 0.5. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer were determined by micro-dilution method in nutrient broth culture.
Results: Zone of inhibition in concentration 500 &mug/ml of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimers for Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were 14, 0, 35 and 29mm, respectively. Concerning the Zone of inhibition in gram negative bacteria with gram positive ones was p<0.05 and had significant difference. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer for Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were 1250, 2.5, and 1 &mug/ml, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentration of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer belonged to Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were 2500, 5 and 5 &mug/ml, respectively. Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer had not bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on Enterobacter cloacae.
Conclusion: According to the results, Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer can eliminate Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis effectively. It is suggested in the rest of this study that the probable toxicity of nanostructured compounds examined in drinking water and, economic studies is done for synthesis and their applications in case of prevention of using.
Behnaz Tavasoli, Rima Manafi, Fatemeh Kiani, Majid Safa, Ahmad Kazemi,
Volume 17, Issue 11 (2-2015)
Abstract
Background: Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic agent still in widespread use in hematologic malignancies. A side effect of anthracyclines such as doxorubicin is the activation of nuclear factor-&kappaB (NF-&kappaB), a potent inducer of antiapoptotic genes, which may blunt the therapeutic efficacy of the drugs. In this study, the effect of indole -3-carbinol (I3C) on the activation NF-&kappaB and the anti-apoptotic genes whose expression is regulated by NF-&kappaB was assessed in NALM-6 cells.
Materials and Methods: NALM-6 cells were preincubated with various concentrations of I3C and then treated with doxorubicin. Cellular DNA content assay and Annexin V-FITC staining were performed by flowcytometry for evaluation of apoptosis. For assessing the effect of I3C on the expression of XIAP, survivin, and nuclear p65 proteins, NALM-6 cells were pretreated with I3C and then incubated with doxorubicin. Whole-cell and nuclear extracts were prepared for Western blot analysis. A paired t-test was conducted to evaluate the results.
Results: DNA histogram analysis of NALM-6 cells indicates a combination of I3C with doxorubicin significantly escalated the percentages of sub-G1 population cells compared with doxorubicin - only treated group (p<0.05). Annexin V-FITC staining also showed that cotreatment of NALM-6 cells with I3C and doxorubicin significantly increased the proportion of Annexin-V positive cells in comparison with the doxorubicin treated cells (p<0.05). The western blot analysis indicated I3C significantly inhibits both doxorubicin -induced nuclear translocation of p65 and the expression of doxorubicin-induced NF-&kappaB target.
Conclusion: Our results indicated that using natural non-toxic inhibitors of NF-&kappaB such as I3C in combination with anthracyclines might be a rational combination therapy for BCP-ALL cells in which NF-&kappaB is constitutively active.
Farzad Ebrahimzadeh, Ebrahim Hajizadeh, Abdolkarim Shadmehr, Nasim Vahabi, Ezatollah Fazeli Moghadam, Javad Nasseryan, Mehdi Safari,
Volume 18, Issue 10 (1-2016)
Abstract
Background: Height and weight growth failure are among the most important health disorders affecting children less than two in the developing countries. Failure to treat this disorder can lead to the development of serious conditions including increased mortality and types of disability. The aim of the present study is to investigate the factors affecting the height and weight growth of children less than two years old.
Materials and Methods: This historical cohort study was conducted on a sample of 2030 children less than two in Khorramabad who were selected using stratified and cluster sampling methods. Based on household records, data related to the height and weight were recorded as quantitative variables and finally were modeled using a longitudinal marginal model, identity link functions and the R software.
Results: Based on the marginal model, the effect of such variables as child's age, child's gender and mother's educational attainment were significantly related to the child's height and weight. Moreover the child's birth order had significant relationship with only the child's height. However, the variable of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months was no significantly related to weight and height growth of the children.
Conclusion: Given the results, it seems that monitoring the growth of the children of the illiterate mothers, specially the girls and the children with first birth orders are the most important approaches to deal with growth disorders among this population.
Mohabbat Jamhiri, Zeinab Hafizibarjin, Mojtaba Ghobadi, Ali Moradi, Fatemeh Safari,
Volume 20, Issue 4 (7-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension- induced cardiac hypertrophy. Plants are a rich source of antioxidant compounds. Thymol is a natural monoterpen phenol which is plentiful in some plants and shows many biological effects. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of thymol on activity of antioxidant enzyme catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the activity of the inhibition of free radical DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl), following left ventricular hypertrophy in rats.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, rats were divided into hypertrophied group without any treatment (H group) and rats pretreated with 25 and 50 mg/kg/day of thymol (Thy25+H and Thy50+H groups, respectively). Intact animals were served as control (Ctl). Animal model of left ventricular hypertrophy was induced by abdominal aortic banding. Serum catalase (CAT) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the activity of inhibition of free radicals DPPH were determined by the biochemical methods.
Results: In Thy25+H and Thy50+H groups, the CAT activity was increased significantly in serum (p<0.01, vs. Ctl). Also, serum level of MDA was decreased significantly compared to the group H in Thy25+H and Thy50+H groups (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). The effect of inhibiting DPPH free radicals was increased significantly in Thy25+H and Thy50+H groups compared to the group H (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively).
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that thymol as an antioxidant causes cardioprotective effects and as well as prevents left ventricular hypertrophy via augmentation of serum antioxidant capacity.
Hamid Alizadeh, Alireza Safarzadeh, Elahe Talebi-Garakani,
Volume 20, Issue 7 (10-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Adipose tissue's phenotypic alteration due to exercise training is a new theory. However, the cellular–molecular mechanisms for these phenotypic alterations are not yet clearly
understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of six weeks resistance training on Meteorin-like hormone level and insulin resistance index in overweight adolescent boys.
Materials and Methods: Twenty overweight adolescent boys (average age 18.5±1 years old, average weight 81.1±4.5 kg, and BMI 27.7±0.7 kg/m2) participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: control (N=10) and resistance training (N=10). Subjects in training group performed six-week resistance training program 3 days/week. Anthropometrics parameters and fasting serum of Meteorin-like hormone levels, insulin and glucose were measured at the baseline and at the end of study.
Results: The level of Meteorin-like hormone was significantly decreased in control group (p=0.008), but that of Meteorin-like hormone in resistance training was increased insignificantly (p=0.311). The variations of Meteorin-like hormone levels between two groups were significant (p=0.004). The changes of insulin resistance were increased in both groups which were statistically significant (p=0.032) and insignificant (p=0.632) for control and training groups respectively. We found a negative and insignificant correlation between changes in Meteorin-like hormone levels and changes in insulin resistance index (p=0.273).
Conclusion: The results showed that six weeks’ resistance training has no effect on increasing Meteorin-like hormone serum level and improving insulin resistance index and body composition in overweight adolescent boys.
Mohsen Dalvandi, Hyder Farahani, Ramin Safari Rad,
Volume 21, Issue 5 (10-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Low Back Pain is one of the most common complains of Human societies. LDH (Lumber Disk Herniation) is one of the relatively common causes of Low Back Pain. This study aimed to assay serum zinc cofactor in patients compared to healthy group.
Materials and Methods: Sixty patients which were diagnosed as a "known case of LDH" by the specialist and based on tests were chosen by simple selection method (30 men and 30 women). Also, 57 people were chosen as a control group (29 men and 28 women). measurement was done based on single reagent direct calorimetric method using the kit made by "Ziestchem diagnostics company, Iran".
Findings: Total, 117 objects were observed in case and control groups. Serum zinc level was measured in all of them. Obtained results were analyzed by Student t-test, and ꭕ2, by using SPSS software with the confidence interval of 95 percent. Results showed that 21.7% of patients with LDH were having high physical activity and 36.7% having low physical activity.
Conclusion: There was a significant difference between the mean serum zinc levels in patients with LDH compared to control group. Decrement in serum zinc may be considered as an distruption factor in the activity of enzymes involved in proteins biosynthesis.
Nasim Karimi, Maliheh Safari, Ghodratollah Roshanaei, Jalal Poorolajal,
Volume 21, Issue 6 (12-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is caused by body contamination with human immunodeficiency virus. Several factors affect the survival of people with AIDS, which are often examined using Cox regression models. The default is to use the Cox model as a proportionate hazard, which in case of a violation, this model does not have the required performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effective factors on survival of AIDS patients using the developed Cox model.
Materials and Methods: In this cohort study, 1050 patients with AIDS who referred to Imam Khomeini and Zamzam Behavioral Counseling Centers in Tehran Province during the years 2004 to 2014 were studied. The effect of clinical and demographic factors on survival of patients has been investigated using extended Cox model.
Findings: 79% of patients were men. The mean age of the patients was 34.84 ± 10. 21 years old. The mean of the diagnosis time to AIDS was 23.64 ± 15.53 months. 76% of patients were cencored. Age at diagnosis, transmission modes, ART, CD4 count, and time to diagnosis of AIDS in univariate and multivariate analysis were significant
(p <0.05).
Conclusion: Several clinical factors have implications for the survival of AIDS patients. The most important of these factors is the use of ART and early detection of the disease, which greatly increases the chance of survival of the affected population. Therefore, it seems necessary to provide screening and treatment services for high-risk individuals.
Azadeh Safari, Mehdi Moradi, Mojtaba Khansooz,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (June & July 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic exercise and the consumption of kefir dough on anthropometric indices, plasma lipid profile and blood pressure in overweight non-athletic women.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 32 non-athletic women with overweight in Arak, Iran (mean age= 33.94±8.58 years, mean height= 1.59±0.05 cm, mean weight= 70.15±6.88 kg, and body mass index= 27.35±1.50 kg/m2) who were voluntarily selected and randomly divided into four groups of 8 (control, exercise, exercise + supplement, and supplement). The control group had a normal diet without exercise; the supplement group received 100 ml kefir dough three meals a day for 8 weeks; the exercise group performed aerobic exercise for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, each for 50 minutes. The exercise + supplement group received both aerobic exercise and kefir dough. Blood and anthropometric variables were measured at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. Paired t-test was used to examine the within-group variations and one-way ANOVA to examine the between-group variations. All statistical tests were performed at the significant level of P<0.05.
Ethical Considerations: This study has obtained its ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee of Qom University (Code: IR.QOM.REC.1398.01).
Results: The combination of kefir dough supplementation and aerobic exercise significantly reduced the mean blood pressure (P=0.003) and BMI (P=0.03) but had no significant effect on total cholesterol (P=0.27), triglycerides (P=0.61), high-density lipoprotein (P=0.16), low-density lipoprotein (P=0.30) and waist-to-hip ratio (P=0.24).
Conclusion: Overweight women can benefit from the aerobic exercise combined with kefir dough supplementation to reduce their blood pressure and BMI. Further studies are recommended to determine the effect of aerobic exercise and kefir supplementation on serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low- and high-density lipoproteins, and waist-to-hip ratio.
Sedigheh Safaeian Titkanlou, Toktam Maleki Shahmahmood, Zahra Ghayoumi-Anaraki, Fatemeh Haresabadi, Majid Haddadi Avval, Mohaddeseh Soltani, Mohsen Rajati Haghi,
Volume 23, Issue 6 (February & March 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Phonological awareness skills, as part of phonological processing abilities, can predict the extent of success in acquiring written and reading skills. Phonological awareness skills are of concern in children with severe and profound hearing loss, which has been less studied in this population. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate these skills in Cochlear-Implanted (CI) children and compare them with their healthy counterparts.
Methods & Materials: The study population included 25 CI children and 25 healthy children, aged 4-6 years, who were monolingual Persian speakers. The selected CI and healthy children were selected from the Rehabilitation Center of Naqmeh and the Kindergartens in Mashhad, City, Iran, respectively. After selecting each participant, the test of phonological awareness was administered. To compare the mean scores of each subtest, the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS v. 21 using the Mann-Whitney U test.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.MUMS.REC.1396.263).
Results: The mean scores of CI children were significantly lower than that of their healthy peers in all phonological awareness subscales (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The obtained data suggested that healthy children presented better performance than the CI children in the phonological awareness test. Poor phonological awareness skills in CI children seem to be associated with hearing deprivation before cochlear implantation; thus, it requires to speed up surgery at an early age and the implementation of an effective rehabilitation program.
Fatemeh Sharafi Bajgan, Reza Safari, Maryam Nejat Dehkordi,
Volume 24, Issue 4 (October & November 2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Tamoxifen is a group of drugs of selective estrogen receptor modulators, and is one of the drugs effective in the prevention and treatment of some cancers (such as breast cancer). In this study, the interaction of tamoxifen with DNA is investigated experimentally. Also, the electronic structure (at atomic scale) of the molecular system of tamoxifen was theoretically investigated, using atom in molecule (AIM) theory.
Methods & Materials: First, in the experimental section of this study, the interaction of Tamoxifen with DNA were investigated by UV-ViS technique and hydrodynamic method (Viscometry). In addition, the analysis of the experimental results shows the obvious effect of concentration on the mechanism of how the tamoxifen molecule binds to DNA. Then, in the theoretical part of this research, using computational biophysical chemistry methods, some properties of tamoxifen molecular system, such as electronic Density of States (DOS), boundary orbital’s energy (HOMO/LUMO), Electrostatic Potential Energy (EPS) and electronic contour maps of the electron density and its Laplacian, will be calculated.
Ethical Considerations: This article is a meta-analysis with animal sample.
Results: Result of the UV-ViS spectroscopy technique and viscometry indicated hyperchromism and hypochromism effect. In addition, the result were depend on the concentration of the drug and affected the kind of binding of Tamoxifen to DNA. the analysis of computational studies on the drug tamoxifen suggests that the mechanism of the local charge/energy distribution in the molecular system of tamoxifen plays an important role in how this drug binds to DNA.
Conclusion: Based on the experimental results of UV-ViS technique and viscometry, as well as the electronic/vibrational properties of the tamoxifen molecular system, it was defined that the Tamoxifen interacts significantly with all the binding sites of DNA.
Farideh Barghi, Sahar Safarzadeh, Faremah Sadat Marashian, Saeed Bakhtiarpour,
Volume 25, Issue 6 (February & March 2023)
Abstract
Introduction: Since a more appropriate psychological treatment has not yet been found in the treatment of autism to be a definite solution in autism, in this research, two more common psychological methods have been compared. Objectives The aims of this study were to compare the effectiveness of ABA and Fluortime play therapy on sensory processing in children with autism spectrum disorder in Qom in 1401.
Methods: The method of this quasi-experimental study was pre-test-post-test and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population of the research included all the children with autism in land Qom at Golhay Behesht Autism Center. The statistical sample of this research was 45 people who were selected by available sampling, and randomly divided into three experimental groups using the ABA method (15 people Fluortime method (15 people) and the control group (15 people) were placed. The first experimental group was treated with the method of ABA in the designated sessions. 23 20-minute sessions were presented to the subject group. During experimental group Fluortime was treated with the method of 23 sessions of 20 minutes, it was presented to the subject group, then it was analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measurements. Ethical Considerations: This article is approved by the ethics committee of Islamic Azad University Ahvaz branch IR.IAU.AHVAZ.REC.1401.032.
Results: The results of the analysis showed that the Flortime play therapy training in sensory processing was significantly at the level of the effect of the implementation of independent variables on the registration components down (P = 0.02) Sensory seeking (P = 0.001) Sensory sensitivity (P = 0.019) Sensory avoidance (P = 0.004) is significant. On the other hand, the average difference of sensory processing components in the applied behavior analysis and game group is significant. Fluortime treatment is significant with the control group. So that the mean of the components of sensory processing in both experimental groups has a significant0.05 ≥ P decrease compared to the control group.
Conclusions: This finding, in line with the change trend of the mean of the components of sensory processing, shows that functional ABA and Fluortime play therapy during the implementation period. And three months after the completion of the implementation period, it has led to a significant decrease in the average scores of sensory processing components. Sensory processing in children with autism spectrum disorder. It should be mentioned that in comparison, the scores of sensory seeking, sensory sensitivity and sensory avoidance in the Fluortime were higher than in the ABA method, and low registration was higher in the ABA method, but the results of the Ben Feroni test show that although each method was significant separately in sensory processing, the difference in effect Functional behavior analysis and Fluortime play therapy on sensory processing components of p>0/05 is not significant.
Dr Mehdi Asghari, Dr Gholamabbas Fallah Ghalhari, Dr Marzieh Abbasinia, Dr Farbod Ebadifard Azar, Dr Fahimeh Shakeri, Dr Mohammad Javad Ghanadzade, Mr Gholam Heidar Teimori, Dr Sanaz Karpasand, Dr Hossein Safari,
Volume 26, Issue 3 (August & September 2023)
Abstract
Introduction: One of the biggest environmental challenges of the 21st century is the phenomenon of climate change and global warming, which can cause numerous health problems. One significant health issue associated with climate change is the increase in the prevalence of heat stress, particularly in occupational encounters in hot outdoor environments. So this study aimed to predict and model temperature and humidity indices in the coming decades in a dry climate.
Methods: This study obtained daily atmospheric parameters, including minimum temperature, maximum temperature, and relative humidity of Kerman station, representing a dry climate, for a period of 30 years (1965 to 2005) from the meteorological organization. Modeling of these parameters and calculation of the Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) were performed using the atmospheric general circulation model HadGEM2-ES and the CORDEX dynamic microscaler model. Three different radiative forcing scenarios, including optimistic (RCP 2.6), intermediate (RCP 4.5), and pessimistic (RCP 8.5), were considered for the coming decades (three 30-year periods from 2011 to 2099). The Ethics Committe of Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) approved the present study (Code: IR.IUMS.REC.1400.020).
Results: The results of the study showed an increasing trend for minimum and maximum temperature parameters in all three time periods using the three scenarios considered. Moreover, the increase in temperature in the decades of 2099-2071 was more pronounced compared to the previous decades. The results also demonstrated an increasing trend in the THI index based on all three scenarios. The average results obtained using these scenarios showed an increase of 2.11, 2.53, and 3.3 degrees Celsius, respectively, in this index until the end of the last century compared to the base decades.
Conclusions: Overall, the increase in temperature and the investigated THI index in the studied station, based on all three scenarios, will lead to changes in thermal comfort. Higher levels of thermal discomfort will not only occur in hot months and seasons but also in other seasons. Therefore, proper planning should be implemented to address the adverse effects of climate change on people's health.
