---

Introduction: Saffron (crocus sativus L.), an important spice rich in carotenoids, is used in folk medicine to treat numerous diseases. This study examines the effects of saffron consumption on innate and humoral immunity of healthy male students.
Materials and Methods: 41 healthy volunteered university students in two control and case groups were included in this study and consumed respectively milk and milk containing saffron for 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the subjects at weeks 0, 3 and 6. Innate immunity was evaluated by determining the percentage and counts of monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, platelets and the total white cells, CRP concentration and C3 and C4 concentrations and humoral immunity was assessed by deterning the percentage of lymphocytes and the concentrations of IgG, IgM and IgA.
Results: Three weeks after saffron consumption, monocytes percentage and IgG concentration increased significantly (P<0.05, P=0.01). Total white blood cells and platelets count also reduced significantly (P<0.05). After 6 weeks, monocytes percentage and IgG concentration reduced significantly (P<0.05, P< 0.001) and platelets count increased significantly (P<0.05) as compared with week 3.
Conclusion: This investigation demonstrated that saffron consumption enhances innate and humoral immunity systems and has anti-inflammatory effects. These effects depending on the duration of saffron consumption.

---

Introduction: Some articles have suggested an increase in the prevalence of oral candidiasis in patients with psoriasis, as well as the potential for exacerbation or chronicity of psoriasis. Therefore, the prevalence of oral candidiasis in patients with psoriasis and its comparison with healthy individuals has been considered.
method: In this cross-sectional study, 43 people with psoriasis and 43 seemingly healthy individuals referred to dermatology clinics affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were randomly selected and examined for the presence or absence of Candida albicans in the oral mucosa by direct lam and culture. Were placed.
Results: According to the results of this analytical study, 44.2% of patients with psoriasis with Candida albicans were infected with oral cavity, which was 25.6% for healthy individuals, and this difference was significant (p=0.05). There was also a significant relationship between the severity of psoriasis and the prevalence of oral Candida albicans (p=0.05).
Conclusion: The study found that candida yeast was more common in patients with psoriasis than in healthy people. According to the results of this study, it is recommended that all patients with psoriasis be examined for the presence of Candida albicans in the mouth and, if the test is positive, be treated with antifungal drugs.

---

Introduction: Bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual energy x-ray absorbtiometry (DEXA) is widely used in management of patients with osteoporosis. Factors which are specific to machine or operator, can influence the accuracy and precision of BMD estimations. In this study we investigated the effect of leg rotation and femoral neck on densitometry of femur. Materials and Methods: In a before and after, interventional study on 200 women between 30-70 years old, without metabolic bone diseases, densitometry was done first in standard position and then in 15ْ rotation of leg from standard position and then after changing femoral neck angle from 90ه to 80ْ in relation to central femoral neck axis . Density of femoral neck, ward triangle, greater trochanter, shaft of femur and total hip was measured and data was analyzed by means comparison test. Results: External rotation of leg by 15 ه from the customary position, increased the average BMD in femoral neck, wards area, trochanter and shaft (p<0.001, p<0.04, p<0.001, p<0.008 respectively).While no significant change was observed in average BMD of total hip. Change of femoral neck area angle from 90 ه to 80 ه in relation to central femoral axis decreased BMD in femoral neck (p<0.001), and significantly increased BMD in wards triangle, trochanter, shaft and total hip (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.04 respectively). Conclusion: Malrotation of hip can be an important confounding factor when interpreting serial BMD values. Regarding the less effect of malpositioning on BMD of total hip, this area may be prefered for assessment of densitometry result.

---

Introduction: The vast majority of children with febrile seizure have a normal long term out come, but their parents are always worrying about recurrent febrile seizure. With attention to controversy in treatment a precise knowledge of the short and long term side effect is an important prerequisite for assessing the various treatment strategies. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of intermittent Diazepam and continuous Phenobarbital for the prophylaxis of recurrence of febrile seizure. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study 100 children with febrile seizure treated with intermittent Diazepam were compared with 100 children with febrile seizure treated with continuous Phenobarbital. Diazepam (1 mg/kg/d) was administered orally every eight hours during all febrile illness and Phenobarbital (3-5 mg/kg/d) was administered daily. Data were analyzed by chi-square and t-test. Results: During a mean follow up of 19 months, recurrence rates in the two groups were similar (14%). 74% of children receiving Phenobarbital had side effects versus 26% receiving Diazepam. (p=0.00001). Mean of fever in year was 3.2 ± 1.4 in Phenobarbital group and 3.0 ± 1.1 in which had no significant difference. Conclusion: Oral Diazepam, given only when fever is present, is safe and reduces the risk of recurrent febrile seizure.

---

Introduction: A pseudoaneurysm is a pulsetile hematoma secondary to bleeding into soft tissue, which involves peripheral vessels in the most cases. A femoral artery pseudoaneurysm that is a rare complication, mainly occurs following prior arterial catheterization but it may also be formed with trauma. In this article a superficial femoral artery is reported. Case: The patient is a 24 years old woman who was admitted with a wound in the posteroinferior region of right tight 10 days before her recent referral. The skin of the wound had been repaired. After 1 week pain, progressing swelling in inferior region of tight and knee, fever, shivering and limping were presented. In physical examination, 90 degree flexion of knee, edema, warmth and tenderness in inferior region of tight were observed. Any pulse of dorsalis-pedis and posterior-tibialis was not touched. In the next step blood laboratory test, simple X-ray, Doppler sonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of right lower limb were accomplished. Finally, with the diagnosis of femoral artery pseudoaneurysm, excision of the pseudoaneurysm with reverse saphenous vein grafting was performed. Conclusion: Pseudoaneurysm should be noticed in patients with history of penetrating trauma and symptoms due to infection. In these cases sonography is necessary to get the exact diagnosis. The size of aneurysm and patient’s symptoms, determine the method of treatment.

---

Background: Researches showed that there is a relationship among alopecia areata, psychological factors and prevalence of psychological disorders. In addition alopecia areata has a great effect on the quality of life of these patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy on female patients`s the quality of life with alopecia areata. Methods and Materials: This is a case-control study with pre and post-test exam which is carried out in Isfahan Skin Disease and Leishmaniasis Research Centre. The participants consisted of 20 alopecia areata patients diagnosed by specialists. The questionnaire was Skindex-16 which was completed by patients before and after the intervention. Cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy was done on the case group in eight sessions over a period of two months. Data was analyzed with covariance (ANOVA). Results: The mean of quality of life scores in experimental group in v.s control group significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems, cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy couses in quality of life improvement in patients with alopecia areata.

---

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.

---

Background: This study was designed to investigate on efficacy of metacognitive–behavioral therapy (MCBT) on panic beliefs of panic female patients. Materials and Methods: This is a clinical- trial study. The participants, who were 24 panic female patients diagnosed with panic disorder, were selected from 76 panic patients referring to psychiatric clinics. The participants were randomly assigned in to two experimental and control groups. The data were gathered using the panic belief questionnaire which was completed in pretest, posttest and follow-up stages by the participants. MCBT was conducted in 8 sessions on the experimental group while the control group, in addition to the reception of common medical treatments, was laid in waiting list for psychological therapy. Results: According to the results of covariance analysis, the mean of panic beliefs scores obtained in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Panic female patients who attended in MCBT acquired lower scores in panic belief than the control group. Therefore, the results demonstrate that MCBT approach causes to keduce panic beliefs in panic female patients.

---

Background: Psychological interventions may improve the quality of life in females with temporal lobe epilepsy through affecting their bio-psycho-social dimensions. This aim of this study was to aim assess the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) group education on improvement of quality of life in epileptic patients. Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study with pre-post-and follow-up tests. The sample population included 26 patients, already diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy by neurologist and through electro-encephalography, that were randomly selected and assigned to experimental and control groups. Data were collected through the Quality Of Life Questionnaire for Epileptic patients (QOLIE- 89) that was administered in the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test. CBSM group education was given to the experimental group in ten sessions during two months. Results: The mean of QOLIE-89 score in the experimental group showed a significantly higher increase in comparison to that in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results demonstrated the effectiveness of CBSM group education on the improvement of quality of life in females with temporal lobe epilepsy.

---

Background: Considering the lack of a standardized and validated questionnaire on oral health care for pregnant women based on a specific behavioral pattern, the aim ofthis study was development and psychometric assessment of an oral health instrument based on Health Belief Model in pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 340 pregnant women in Arak city. After reviewing the related literature, the instrument was designed and its content validity ratio, content validity index, face validity, and exploratory factor analysis were measured. For measuring the reliability of the scales, three methods, including test-retest, internal consistency, and agreement, were used. Data analysis was done using SPSS software. Results: The reliability of the 61 items was evaluated with impact score of 1.5 and the content validity index of 0.79 and based on exploratory factor analysis were classified into seven categories. The overall reliability measured through Cronbach alpha was 0.84. The reliability of the questionnaire was 0.88, perceived susceptibility was 0.73, severity was 0.70, perceived benefits was 0.75, perceived barriers was 0.71, the cues to action was 0.72, and self-efficacy was 0.76. Kappa coefficients were determined with a high performance for checklists. Conclusion: This study provided good evidence of the strength factor structure and reliability of Health Belief Model structures about oral health behaviors in the vulnerable group of pregnant women, according to the study of psychometrics process.

---

Background: Sleep behavior and movement disturbance (SBMD) is of a relatively high prevalence in children and has a significant impact on their performance in daily activities and quality of life. Snoring, on the other hand, is considered one of the main causes of sleep disturbance in children. This study aims to assess the relationship between snoring and SBMD in 2 to 12 years old children in Qom city.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 100 children with snoring and 100 healthy children were studied over 3 months. The parents took Berlin questionnaire on snoring and childhood sleep questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 18.

Results: There was a significant correlation in mean SBMD between case (13.78) and control (11.45) groups (p<0.001). Independent t-test indicated a significant difference between the case and control groups in the mean of SBMD (p<0.001). Also, significant relationships were seen between snoring and adenotonsilar hypertrophy (p<0.001) and apnea and SBMD (p=0.036), but there was not any relationships between SBMD and age, children less than 7 and more than 7 years old (p=0.231), and severity of snoring and SBMD (p=0.202).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of sleep disorders, especially snoring and SBMD and their relationship, in children. Sufficient attention to this issue can raise parents and physicians awareness and pave the way for early diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.

---

Background: According to the toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis leading to loss of central vision, corneal opacity, tearing, photophobia, and is, therefore early treatment is very important. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal injection of toxoplasmic retinochoroditis clindamycin in comparison with conventional therapy (oral drug) was performed.

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, target population was all patients with the toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis referred to clinics in ophthalmology Arak city, that stratified randomly into two groups, interventional group “A” was received treatment with intravitreal injection clindamaycin " and control group “B” was received standard oral treatment (Pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine and clindamaycin). Tool for data gathering was questionnaires and medical records of patients in which visual acuity based on the Senllene Chart and retinal thickness with use tomography layers of the retina (OCT). Results of measurement were recorded by specialist retina before and after intervention (weekly and monthly until complete resolution of lesions in retina) during one year. The data entered into the SPSS 16 software and after matching age &sex of patients, was final analysis the using descriptive and inferential tests such as t-test was performed.

Results: Of the 26 patients with toxoplasmic retinochoroditis, 16 (61.5%), urban and number 10 (38.5%) were rural. The average improvement in visual acuity between the two groups in mean time to lesion healing (A) and (B) was different. The visual acuity in before and after treatment (separation of treatment) was significant difference in both groups (p<0.05). Also central macular thickness (in patients with toxoplasmic retinochoroditis) between before and after treatment in each group was different (p= 0.001), but the changes mean central macular thickness (in cases of toxoplasmic retinochoroditis) There was no significant difference between treatments (p=0.452).

Conclusion: Although any two methods of treatment are effective, but intravitreal injection clindamaycin method due to shorter lesion healing time and increase higher visual acuity, is better than the alternative similar way .

---

Background: Gene therapy is a recent promising treatment that effective gene transfer is considered as its most important step. Furthermore noninvasive method of transfer will be important to, when gene therapy is supposed to be applied. Administration of drugs in oral rout is more appreciated by patients. Loading and release rates are very important in targeting and effectiveness of transfer in all different methods that have been used for oral drug transfer. Here, we have studied packing of gene particles into two different enteric coats and compared these two coats in loading of entrapped materials and there release rate in vitro.

Materials and Methods: First, DNA was mixed with chitosan by coacervation technique and resulted polyplexes were coated using solvent evaporation technique. FTIR and two different pHs, less and more but near eudragit pKa, were used to evaluate formation of particles and their behavior.

Results: Formed particles have similar stability in low pH and their differences are trivial. Eudragit L100 release rate is really slower than L100-55 and gradual. Eudragit L100 shows better ability in loading rate.

Conclusion: According to two formed particles' behavior, eudragit L100-55 might be used in oral gene transfer targeting of initial part of small intestine and eudragit L100 might be used for wider surface of small intestine, from the initial to the end part, and colon.

---

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most frequent infection occurring in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a serious issue and remains a significant clinical problem for critically ill patients. The aim of this review article is to evaluate studies to conclude the best existing evidence for providing oral hygiene to intensive care unit patients receiving mechanical ventilation, determine the clinical evidence considering chlorhexidine, and to document a research to improve care interventions used for oral care in the critical patients.

Materials and Methods: Searching was performed in the databases: Sciencedirect, SID, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Springer and PubMed for accessibility to the studies carried out regarding with chlorhexidine mouthwash and ventilator-associated pneumonia between 1991 to 2014 years by using keywords: chlorhexidine mouthwash and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Results: Although oral care with chlorhexidine cause a reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, but no evidence exists on decrease of mortality in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation admitted in the intensive care unit following its using. Conclusion: Base on this current review article can be said that protective effect of chlorhexidine mouthwash has proved in oral health and prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in the critical patients, but unfortunately no evidence exists to the appropriate protocol for using of chlorhexidine mouthwash in these patients.

---

Background: Depression is on the top list of mental disorders which account for about 25 percent of patients referred to health centers in your world. So, is presented in different ways to treat it. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy in reducing depression in mothers of children with disabilities.

Materials and Methods: This study is quasi-experimental and consists of experimental and control groups. This study population was mothers referred to mobility, occupational therapy and physiotherapy centers who had depressive symptoms. 8 patients in each group were selected by convenience sampling. The research instrument were the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders and the revised Beck Depression Inventory form (1996). Dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy groups were instructured for 2 months (8 sessions of 2 to 2.5 hours). But the control group did not receive intervention.

Results: The results showed that there were significant differences between the mean depression scores of dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy group with control group (p<0.001). Also, there is a significant difference between the mean depression scores of dialectical behavior therapy with cognitive therapy (p<0.001).

Conclusion: In the area of treatment and working with depressed people and those who are in crisis mode, it seems that dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy group in view of its nature is very efficient and promising.

---

Background: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) consists of repetitious physical and psychological symptoms that occurs in luteal phase of menstrual period and will be over when menstrual period starts. The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of calcium therapy plus vitamin D and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the parameters of PMS symptoms in women suffering from PMS.

Materials and Methods: This study has an experimental plan of pretest and post-test of the control group. The statistical society is 250 female staff of Tehran Universities in academic year 2013-2014. Premenstrual syndrome screening tool (PSST) questionnaire was used as an evaluation tool. The collected data were analyzed using the indexes of the descriptive statistics and covariance analysis (p<0.05).

Results: The minimum age of the statistical society was 24, 52.5 % of them held a master's degree and 60% were single. Cognitive behavioral therapy method, calcium and vitamin D therapy were significant in improving the parameters of symptoms at p<0.05 level of significance.

Conclusion: Combining cognitive behavioral therapy and calcium supplementation and vitamin D is significantly effective in improving components of PMS sympotoms and applying these methods is recommended by the consultants and gynecologists.

---

Background: Recently it is accentuated on the role of psychological symptoms in the course of chronic diseases and applying psychological interventions as complementary interventions. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of cognitive-behavioral stress management, optimism training and conevntional medical therapy on somatic symptoms, perceived stress, illness perception and quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Materials and Methods: In this study, thirty female patients were selected accidentally, and randomly assigned into three groups including cognitive-behavioral stress management(n=10), optimism training(n=10) and conventional medical therapy(n=10). All patients completed Perceived Stress Scale, Illness Perception questionnaire, WHO Quality of Life questionnaire, and Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index. Then, experimental groups participated in 9 sessions of  cognitive-behavioral stress management and optimism training group interventions. Thereafter, three groups answered to scales again. This course was repeated in a 6-mounth follow-up. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the data.

Results:  The findings indicated that the effects of two interventions were significant on patient´s illness perception, perceived stress and quality of life however, these interventions did not change somatic symptoms.

Conclusion: Totally, it can be said that psychological interventions such as stress management and optimism training can be effective on improving the psychological symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis and their cure.

---

Abstract

Background: One of the problems in children with cerebral palsy is impaired eating and drinking liquids. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of oral motor stimulations on feeding function in the children with spastic cerebral palsy by two medical and family centered approaches.

Materials and Methods: This research was a descriptive-analytical cross sectional study that performed on 40 children 2-8 year olds with spastic Cerebral Palsy from the rehabilitation clinics in the city of Arak. They were selected by simple and purposeful sampling. Applied instruments were Gross Motor Measure Function Classification System Expanded & Revised (GMFCS E&R) and oral motor assessment scale(OMAS). Data were analyzed by statistical tests such as: Kolmogorov-Smirnov, reporting mean, standard deviation, data analysis frequncy distribution table, independent t-test, dependent t-test, chi-square and MANOVA.

Results: The difference of swallowing function assessed by OMAS in both groups managed by family centered and clinician centered approach prior and post management statistialy was meaningful (p=0.001(. The difference between swallowing function of both groups post intervention was not meaningful in view of first and second assessor, also it had no statistical significance(p=0.89 , p=0.07)

Conclusion: In general, we can conclude that oral motor stimulation is effective on swallowing function of cerebral palsy children in both treated groups. The effect of these stimulations on swallowing function in children with cerebral palsy between clinician centered and family centered approaches was equal.

---

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on quality of life of patients with cardiovascalar diseases.

Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was done based on a pretest -posttest design with control group. Statistical population included all of the patients with cardiovascular diseases referred to Amir-Kabir educational and medical center of Arak, and sample included 30 persons who selected by screening and simple random sampling and assigned into two control and experimental groups. Research instrument included Mcnew quality of life scales which participants answered it during two pre-test and post-test steps; also, experimental group participated in 9 cognitive-behavioral therapy meetings.

Results: There was a significant difference between mean quality of life and its components in both experimental and control groups.

Conclusion: Results analysis showed that group-based cognition- behavior theray has an influence on life quality (emotional, physical and social domains)(p>0.05).

---