Background and Aim Obesity with its various physical and mental problems threatens public health. This study aimed to investigate the discriminative role of metacognitive beliefs, the difficulty in emotion regulation, and codependency in women with obesity.
Methods and Materials In this causal-comparative research, 40 obese women (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) and 40 normal-weight subjects were selected by convenience sampling method. The samples were evaluated by metacognitive questionnaire, difficulties in emotion regulation scale, and the Farsi version of codependency measurement tool. We used discriminant function analysis to analyze the obtained data.
Ethical Considerations All study subjects signed the written consent form. The Research Ethics Committee of Kharazmi University approved this study (Code: IR.KHU.REC.1397.41).
Results The discriminant function could correctly classify 95% of obese people and 97.5% of normal-weight people with 3 variables of metacognitive beliefs, difficulty in emotion regulation, and codependency. In other words, 96.25% of all participants had been classified correctly.
Conclusion Distinguishing the two groups of obese and normal people, the variables of metacognitive beliefs, difficulty in emotion regulation, and codependency have a significant role. Therefore, these variables are supposedly influential psychological factors in obesity. So they can be used for its prevention and treatment.

Background and Aim: The assessment of indoor air quality and detection of its microbial pollutants in classrooms is very important because of the presence of children sensitive to these pollutants. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration and characterization of dominant species of biological aerosols and their relationship with environmental factors in two selected primary schools in Arak, Iran.
Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two primary schools in Arak, Iran in Fall 2018. Indoor air sampling was performed using single-stage Andersen microbial sampler (at flow rate of 28.3 liters/min) containing bacterial and fungal culture media. The effects of suspended Particulate Matter (PM) and environmental parameters (temperature and humidity) on the density of bioaerosols were evaluated.
Ethical Considerations: This study with an ethics code of IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.76 was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Arak University of Medical Sciences.
Results: The overall mean density of indoor bacteria and fungi was 448 cfu/m3 and 394 cfu/m3, while the mean density of outdoor bacteria and fungi was 210 cfu/m3 and 127 cfu/m3, respectively. There was a positive correlation between indoor density of airborne bacteria and suspected PM concentrations (PM 10 and PM 2.5), and between PM2.5 concentration and indoor fungal density (P<0.05). Penicillium (40%), Cladosporium (19%) and Aspergillus (16%) were dominant species of fungi, while Staphylococcus (42%), Micrococcus (28%), Bacillus (21%) were the dominant species of bacteria.
Conclusion: The age and type of building and the density of students in a classroom are the main factors in increasing the concentration of bioaerosols. 

Background and Aim: Periostin acts as necessary protein in tissue development and has a key role in tooth-supporting tissues such as periodontal ligament. The effect of inflammation on reducing periostin level has been shown in some studies. The aim of this study was to compare the salivary and Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) periostin levels in patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy peers.
Methods & Materials: In this matched case-control study, 106 participants (53 patients with chronic periodontitis and 53 healthy controls) were studies after signing a informed consent form. They were matched for age, gender, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI). The GCF and salivary samples were collected from all participants and were assessed using standard Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The statistical analysis was conducted in Stata V. 11.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.34).
Results: The salivary and GCF periostin levels was significantly lower in patients than in healthy subjects (P<0.001). Moreover, the periostin levels was significantly different based on periodontal parameters (P<0.001).
Conclusion: There is association between the incidence of chronic periodontitis and salivary and GCF periostin levels. Hence, the periostin may act as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis  of chronic periodontitis and prevention of its progression.

Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between stress coping strategies and difficulties in emotion regulation mediated by marital life quality in married women with breast cancer. 
Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive correlational study. The study population included all married women with breast cancer in Amol and Babol cities of Iran in 2018. Of these, 385 were selected through a convenience sampling technique. The research instruments were Ways Of Coping Questionnaire, Difficulties In Emotion Regulation Scale and Marital Life Quality Scale.  The goodness-of-fit of proposed model was examined by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in LISREL software. The indirect correlations were tested by using Preacher and Hayes’ bootstrapping method . 
Ethical Considerations: This study received its ethical approval from Islamic Azad University of Tonekabon Branch (Code: IR.IAU.TON.REC.1397.029). Informed consent was obtained from all participants.
Results: The proposed model had good fit (RMSEA=0.057). All direct correlations were reported significant (P<0.05). Moreover, indirect paths between stress coping strategies and difficulties in emotion regulation through mediation by marital life quality were significant. 
Conclusion: The proposed model had a good fit and can be used in identifying the factors affecting difficulties in emotion regulation.  It can be useful for designing and developing programs to prevent emotions problems in women with breast cancer.

Background and Aim: Fennel with phytoestrogenic, antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties is used in traditional Iranian medicine to treat Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Chronic inflammation is a new proposed mechanism in PCOS pathogenesis that suggests the role of immune system in this disease. Due to the main role of Treg cells in maintaining immune homeostasis, their impaired function, along with increased production of inflammatory compounds such as nitric oxide, can lead to persistent inflammation.
Methods & Materials: In this experimental study, 18 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups including control group, untreated PCOS-induced group, and fennel-treated group. The control group received 0.1 ml sesame oil for 21 days. PCOS was induced by subcutaneous injection of Dehydroepiandrosterone (60 mg/kg/day) plus 0.1 mL sesame oil for 21 days. Mice in third group were treated by intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/kg/day fennel extract after 21 days. The regulatory of T cells (Tregs) were analyzed by flow cytometry method and nitric oxide level determination was performed by Griess Reaction method. Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay was used to measure the total antioxidant power.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.312).
Results: The estrous cycle was normalized after treatment with fennel. Fennel significantly reduced the number of ovarian cysts. Nitric oxide concentration decreased significantly while FRAP concentrations did not significantly alter. The number of Treg cells was also increased significantly.
Conclusion: Due to the role of immune system in the incidence of inflammation, concurrent modulation of both immune and endocrine systems may open new horizons in the design of new therapeutic interventions for PCOS.

Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between Endoplasmic Reticulum autophagy (ER-phagy) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) by analyzing the expression patterns of related genes in animal models.
Methods & Materials: Microarray data of AD patients’ brain tissues were extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. These data were first analyzed in GEO2R online tool. Then, the expression of ER-phagy related genes were isolated and the protein interaction networks were plotted by STRING database for the genes with increased expression. Finally, the relationship between the genes that had significant increased expression were designed, and the expression of new identified genes in each study was examined. 
Ethical Considerations: All ethical principles were considered in this article. 
Results: Genes involved in ER-phagy showed a sporadic expression in different AD models. An increase in the expression of ER-phagy regulatory 1 (FAM134B) gene was observed in studies with the mutation in both Microtubule-associated Protein Tau (MAPT) and Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) genes. Increase in the expression of NPC intracellular cholesterol transporter 1 (NPC1) gene was observed in two studies that had mutations in APP, Presenilin 1 (PSEN1) and MAPT genes. Moreover, SEC62 homolog and Cell Cycle Progression 1 (CCPG1) genes both showed decreased expression in one study. Finally, the expression of Reticulon 3 (RTN3) was not significant in any of the studies.
Conclusion: The genes involved in ER-phagy have a sporadic expression in AD models, where only two genes FAM134B and NPC1 are involved in AD. The FAM134B gene seems to interact with the Wnk1 gene, which plays a role in cell survival and proliferation, in the hippocampus and forebrain. It also interacts with the Map1lc3b gene, which has a role in phagosome deletion and protein ubiquitination, in the forebrain. It also interacts with the Map1lc3b gene, which has a role in phagosome deletion and protein ubiquitination, in the forebrain. NPC1 had interaction with the Abcg1 gene, which activates lipid homeostasis, in the subventricular zone.

Introduction: Patients with COVID-19 can have various and complex coagulation disorders that cause hypercoagulable conditions. Investigating the role of anticoagulants with different doses in the outcome of patients with COVID-19 seems to be needed. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of predicting factors of severe disease, including the number of lymphocytes, LDH, and the recovery status of patients. 
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Hazrat Rasool Akram (PBUH) Hospital. Study entry includes acute respiratory symptoms caused by COVID-19 disease (uncontrollable cough, dyspnea, prolonged medicine and blood saturation drop) along with lung involvement in chest spiral CT scan without injection, SARS RT-PCR–CO virus test was positive and transfer to intensive care unit (ICU) was indicated. Anticoagulant starting time, type and dose of anticoagulant received and duration of use were recorded. Two groups of prophylaxis dose, higher dose than prophylaxis (medium dose and therapeutic dose) were divided.
Results: Out of the total number of patients referred to Rasul Akram Hospital, 90 people (43 women (47.8%) and 47 men (52.22%)) participated in this study. The average hospitalization in the ICU was 13.50 ± 12.39 days and 17.18 ± 13.36 days in the hospital. Also, the duration of coagulant therapy was 17.13 ± 13.38 days. 53 patients (58.9%) received a prophylactic dose, 28 patients (31.1%) received a therapeutic dose, and 9 patients (10%) received a moderate dose of anticoagulant. Anticoagulant in 74 patients (82.2%) was unfractionated heparin (UFH) and in 16 cases (17.8%) low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). The changes of LDH, number of lymphocytes, dimer, fibrinogen, ferritin and FDP according to the dose of anticoagulant assessed in the three groups of prophylaxis, treatment and no statistically significant difference. The mean of ICU admission days according to different doses of anticoagulant did not show a statistically significant difference.
Conclusions: Finally, the findings obtained from the study showed that the use of different doses of anticoagulant does not cause a difference in the level of LDH, number of lymphocytes, ferritin and FDP at different measurement times. Also, the length of stay in the hospital and the time of hospitalization in the intensive care unit did not differ between the groups receiving prophylactic anticoagulant, medium dose and therapeutic dose.