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The article discusses the realistic concept of imam and his conditions in society, the way of choosing or appointing him according to the viewpoint of two prominent Shiite and Sunni theologians, on the basis of the descriptive, analytical approach. In this article, a comparison has been made between the concepts used by al-Qadhi al-Baqillani and those used by Allamah al-Hilli, with an evaluation of their opinions. It has been proved that al-Qadhi al-Baqillani's understanding and beliefs differ from those of Allamah al-Hilli and the Twelver Shia consequently; for al-Qadhi al-Baqillani-concerning the way of choosing the imam [by people]- believes in the necessity of the Imam's presence in society; and thus, this necessity would be legal (not rational). Basically, al-Baqillani believes that the topic of Imamate is a jurisprudential (fiqhi) topic. As for Allamah al-Hilli, he believes that the study of Imamate is a theological study, and that the appointment of the Imams is done by God. Based on this, the position of the imam, according to al-Qadhi al-Baqillani and most of Sunni scholars, is an apparent governmental position. According to the Sunnis, in addition to the imam's worldly position, he also undertakes the responsibility of preserving and applying the religion; therefore, they also disagree with the Twelver Shia on the conditions and characteristics of the imam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is the futurology of big data management in public libraries affiliated with the Iran Public Libraries Foundation in the 21st century. It has also presented a strategic model. Research Method: This is a futurology study using a mixed-method that includes the Delphi technique in three rounds and the Survey method. The statistical population of the Delphi panel consists of 20 managers and experts of information science and information technology, employed in the Iran Public Libraries Foundation. Based on the Delphi Panel Consensus Questionnaire, 77 experts in provincial centers were selected based on Morgan's table. They were asked about the priorities of big data usage and their certainty and uncertainty by comparing the current and future situations. Then, the optimal strategic model is proposed using confirmatory factor analysis. 30 questionnaire items were confirmed in terms of two relative content validity coefficients (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) and the reliability of the questionnaire was calculated based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 86%. Findings: Currently, the Iran Public Libraries Foundation uses few amounts of big data. Using big data enables quick access to updated data and providing and producing data in different formats and from different sources. The necessities of using big data according to the experts' views are providing data analysis tools, information integration infrastructures, and connecting public libraries, providing the costs associated with powerful servers and equipment, and updating the knowledge and skills of librarians. Originality: This study uses futurology to examine the big data in public libraries and present a strategic model for big data management in foundation public libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ibn al-Moqaffa, an Iranian thinker and reformer lived in the era when people suffered from tyranny. He had well realized the root of people's problem which he attributed to the political regime. He was the one who believed that the progress of common men depends on the progress of nobles and their progress is not possible without their leader's progress. The society in those days was in desperate need of a reformer who could remove the diversion and discover a right and healthy way of life. He taking into account his own personality based on Iranian and Islamic culture, followed a realist approach in which he noted people's problems and through criticism turned the attention of rulers so that they could bring justice and good to the people. Ibn Moqaffa, in his political writings, relied on critique and saw it as a means for reformation. His main goal was the social welfare but that made the ruling class furious. Although, Moqaffa failed to improve the rulers, his reform process gradually succeeded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Professional duties are regarded as a base for developing the curriculum in a new course. The purpose of this study is to determine the professional duties of postgraduates of family health major according to the viewpoints of stakeholders. Methods: In this cross sectional study, five type one universities (high quality universities) and four type two and three universities were randomly selected using Delphi technique. The participants were directors of health departments, the vice chancellor of public health authorities, the assistance and managers of health and treatment networks, the employees of family health units, and also public health undergraduate students. We developed a questionnaire to gather data. The questionnaire consisted of an open ended and some demographic questions. Data was analyzed using the content analysis technique. In this case duties were defined. Then they were prioritized and finalized in a focus group. Results: In the first step of Delphi 190 duties were extracted. Then we classified them, based on priority in the second Delphi, into 102 duties. Finally 16 items were grouped under the domain of providing services to families, 35 items were in the domain of planning, 50 items were in the domain of supervision, 5 items were in the domain of research, 13 items were in the domain of management, and 28 items in the domain of education. Conclusion: In order to plan for the education of required family health experts there is a need to define the duties of family health postgraduates. The results of this study can be used in the planning of the curriculum of this major. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Irritant contact dermatitis of hands is a chronic and recurrent cutaneous disorder following the contact with detergents and chemicals. Obsessive compulsive disorder is highly frequent among dermatologic patients, and may be presented with signs of irritant contact dermatitis of hands. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and relationship between obsessive compulsive disorder and irritant contact dermatitis, among women with chronic and recurrent irritant contact of hands dermatitis in Haj Daie Dermatology Clinic in Kermanshah. Methods: This case-control analytic study was carried out on 139 females with irritant contact dermatitis of hands and 102 female patients without any history of irritant contact dermatitis of hands. Obsessive compulsive disorder was determined based on the clinical interview using DSM-IV-TR (SCID) by a psychiatrist. Data analysis was performed using chi-square and z-test. Results: The mean age in the case group was 28.2±8.4 and in the control group was 28.4±6.3 years. Fifty-eight (41.7%) of hand dermatitis patients and 5 (4.9%) of control group had obsessive compulsive disorder (P<0.05). Obsessive compulsive disorder was seen in 29 and 14 patients with moderate and severe irritant contact dermatitis, respectively. Conclusion: Obsessive compulsive disorder is common in irritant contact dermatitis of hands. Psychiatric evaluation in female patients with chronic irritant contact dermatitis of hands especially moderate and severe forms is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a viral hemorrhagic disease and a zoonosis disease that has been developed in people who deal with animals such as cattle and butchers. The diagnosis of CCHF is performed by detection of human antibodies (IgG and IgM) against CCHF virus. Five Patients with CCHF occurred in Fath Abad's village (in Fars province) in the summer of 2011. All patients were men and aged 25-46 years old. Three patients were farmer and two other ones were butchers. The samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory for Arboviruses and Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (Pasteur Institute of Iran) in Tehran. The result of laboratory test for all patients was positive. None of the patients had died. Since the CCHF is rare, present study was aimed to assess the causes of the disease's epidemic and clinical and laboratory symptoms stones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Developmental dysgraphia is a kind of learning disabilities in school students. Evaluation of the sensory and motor skills in hand of these persons by appropriate, functional and real tests demonstrates that their fine and complex hand sensory-motor abilities are prerequisites of intervention planning. Purdue Pegboard and Two-Point Discrimination Tests are used for evaluation of the hand motor and sensory skills respectively. This study was aimed to evaluate the test-retest reliability of these tests in students with developmental dysgraphia. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study hand sensory-motor skills were evaluated in 23 students with developmental dysgraphia (8-11 years) in Tabriz city by Purdue Pegboard and static and moving Two-Point Discrimination tests. Test-retest reliability of mentioned tests was done between and within examiners via intra-class correlation coefficient and independent t-test was done for the comparison of the skills between girls and boys and right and left-handed students and Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for the relationship between motor and sensory skills. Results: Intra-class correlation coefficients of Purdue Pegboard, static and moving two-point discrimination tests for inter-session and intra-session reliability were ranged from 0.77 to 0.94 and 0.69 to 0.92 respectively. There was no significant relationship between motor and sensory skills (p>0.05). Conclusion: Because of high reliability of these tests, it can be used them for evaluating the sensorymotor skills and intervention planning in students with developmental dysgraphia. Loss of relationship between motor and sensory skills can be related to the pathology of dysgraphia that needs further researches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Cigarette smoking is a global problem, but is decreasing in most developed countries. Reports from the East Mediterranean show that unlike the 5 other WHO regions, cigarette smoking has not decreased in this particular zone. There is a vital need to address the problem, especially in the adolescent population. This qualitative study looks at the motives behind the smoking tendency in boys aged 13-15. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 6 focus group discussions performed in Tehran orientation (intermediate) schools; participants were male students aged 13 to 15 years. Purposeful sampling was used to draw in participants who were willing and able to take part in the group discussions. Each group was composed of 6-8 students, whose voices were recorded to determine themes and subthemes. Results: Family and social factors have a more prominent role in creating the smoking tendency compared to individual factors. The most important elements are family history of smoking, having friends who smoke, poor parental control, conflicts at home, divorced parents, failure to consult with parents, easy availability and relative cheapness of cigarettes, and lack of information. Conclusion: Serious attention must be paid to the social and family factors in the initiation of the smoking habit. Social and political institutions must come up with effective programs to control the social and family factors that have a role in creating the smoking tendency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cloud computing is one of the new forms of information services that has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. In order to use the infrastructure and cloud computing services in the archive centers, it is necessary to be located in the cloud space by providing models, services and applications of these centers. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide a conceptual model for designing and supporting the implementation of cloud computing in the National Archive of Iran. Methodology: The approach of the present study is combination and is based on Library Studies, Meta-synthesis and survey. In Meta-synthesis and library study method research slips were used for gathering data, and in survey method a researcher-constructed questionnaire was used. The statistical population of the present study includes experts on the subject have experience or expertise in archival and cloud computing, or both. The selection of thematic experts has been done by snowball sampling method. Findings: The findings show that 59 components were identified in 11 general dimensions, includes service management, resource management, communications management, cloud management and control, security management, implementation and deployment models, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, user interface and metadata which were confirmed by subject matter experts. Conclusion: The result of the present study is to provide a model in two general sections: webbased user interface and private cloud. The user interface consists of four sections (Service Catalog, Gateway, Search & Online browsing and Database) and two modules (User registration and security). The private cloud has a 5-layer architecture that includes the interaction which includes three sections: communication services, interoperability, migration and data entry; management includes four sections: cloud management and control, service management, resource management and scalability; security includes eight sections: User authentication, Track Changes, Access control, Digital Signature, encryption and decryption during storage, ISO 27000 series of standards, Methods and levels of authority and Rules of governance; metadata includes four sections: Descriptive metadata, Administrative metadata, Structural metadata, Preservation metadata; and infrastructure layers. In this layer provides the computing resources, databases, and networks needed to store and retrieve different types of digital objects tailored to deployment patterns. Also, the data stored in the model infrastructure layer can be stored in several other places, taking into account all the security principles, and in a way help to increase the data security and prevent data corruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Bisphenol A (BPA) is the monometer of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. This study was done to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercises on oxidative stress indices in heart tissue of male Wistar rats after poisoning with Bisphenol A. Methods: In this experimental study, 20 adult male Wistar rats were allocated into four groups including control, aerobic exercise, BPA and BPA + aerobic exercise. Animals in control and aerobic exercise groups were receieved olive oil and the BPA (100 μg/kg) intraperitoneally, respectively. Animals in BPA + aerobic training group were treated with BPA (100 μg/kg) intraperitoneally for 30 days. Exercise program consisted of 25-64 minutes of running with 57-75% oxygen consumption, 5 sessions per week for two months. Indicators of oxidative stress in heart tissue including Gpx, SOD, TAC, MDA, CAT and AOPP were evaluated. Results: BPA intoxication induced a significant increase in the activity of SOD, GPX enzymes, AOPP and MDA levels and reduction in CAT enzyme activity and TAC level in compared to control group (P<0.05). While aerobic exercise could diminish the oxidative stress due to BPA intoxication. Aerobic exercise reduced the activity of the GPX, SOD and increased catalase activity in rats with BPA intoxication (P<0.05). Also, level of MDA and AOPP significantly reduced in in aerobic exercise group in comparison with with BPA intoxication (P<0.05). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise activity has moderating effects on BPA intoxication in cardiac oxidative stress. Aerobic exercise can increase the amount of antioxidant enzymes that play an important role in modulating oxidative stress induced by BPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this group article, part of the teaching of advanced dynamics course has been done in the form of group-based training projects. In this project, the mechanism of a spinning ride is designed and then engineering analyzes are performed on it. The system of this spinning ride must be designed in such a way that the absolute acceleration of the human head is equal to six times the acceleration of gravity. The most basic thing to do is conceptual design. Engineering analyzes such as dynamic analysis and motion simulation; finite element analysis is also performed to obtain natural frequencies and to determine the deformations caused by loading. After completing the above steps, information will be provided about materials and manufacturing processes. Due to the fact that this project was carried out in the form of a new method of learning advanced dynamics in the form of nine groups at Sharif University of Technology and the groups competed with each other, in the end, students were surveyed about the amount of learning from this method of teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, associated with airway remodeling and hyperresponsiveness. It is expressed that asthma influences about 300 million people around the world, which is estimated to increase to about 400 million by 2025. The prevalence rate is 15 to 20 percent in children and 5 to 10 percent in adults, while its trend is still increasing. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of asthma, which involves an interaction of different types of the immune cells and mediators. It leads to a number of pathophysiology changes, including bronchial inflammation, airway obstruction, and clinical episodes such as cough, wheeze and shortness of breath. Asthma is now greatly being introduced as a heterogeneous disorder and it is pointed out to the role of T cells, including Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells. Other immune cells, especially neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells, as well structural cells such as epithelial and airway smooth muscle cells also produce disease-associated cytokines in asthma. Increased levels of these immune cells and cytokines have been recognized in clinical samples and mouse models of asthma. Different cytokines, including pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNFa, IL-1, and IL-6), T helper 2 cytokines (such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13), and growth factors (such as GM-CSF, PDGF) play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Indeed chemokines (such as MPC-1, RANTES , MIP-1) and the chemokine receptors (such as CCR3, CCR4, CCL11, CCL24, and CCL26) play an important role in the recruitment of circulating inflammatory cells into the airways in asthmatic patients and also is related with increased T helper 2 cytokines after inhaled allergens. Among new approaches, treatment of asthma with anti-cytokine drugs such as antibodies blocking IL-4, IL-5, IL-9 could reduce recruitment inflammatory cells into the airways and remodeling. The final perspective of asthma treatments would be to alter from the symptomatic treatments to disease modifying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Rhizomania viral disease is one of the limiting factors of sugar beet cultivation and significantly reduces its yield. The most important way to deal with this disease is to use resistant cultivars. Materials and Methods In order to evaluate the correlation between yield and qualitative traits of sugar beet cultivars with rhizomania disease indices, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 12 different sugar beet cultivars in four replications in test site with natural infection with rhizomania in Torbat-e-Jam area at two years (2017 and 2018). The traits studied in this study included root yield, sugar content, sugar yield, white sugar content, white sugar yield, sodium, potassium, trace nitrogen, alkalinity, sugar extraction coefficient, leaf growth score, root growth score, disease severity and ELISA test index (OD). Analysis of variance was performed using SAS v.9.1 statistical software. Mean comparisons of traits were performed using LSD test at the probability level of 5 and 1%. Results and Discussion Analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for all studied traits except for sodium. Cluster analysis of yield, crop quality as well as rhizomania severity of infection divided the sugar beet cultivars into three groups (resistant, semi-resistant and sensitive). Correlation between traits in a rhizomania infected field and different levels of resistance to rhizomania was different. In all cultivars with different levels of resistance, there was a significant correlation between pure sugar yield with leaf growth score (r=0.88 **), root growth score (r=0.85 **), disease severity (r= -0.84 **) and ELISA index (r= -0.67 **) was observed. Therefore, these traits are suitable indicators for evaluation of cultivars for suseptibility or resistance to rhizomania disease. In addition, correlation between ELISA index with disease severity (r=0.83**), leaf growth score (r= -0.61 **) and root growth score (r= -0.67 **) was significant. Conclusion According to the obtained results, because the ELISA test and determining the virus concentration is expensive, and on the other hand, this index had a positive and very significant correlation with the severity of the disease infection, so the disease severity index can be used to evaluate cultivars for resistance to rhizomania disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Steroid cell tumor is one of the rare ovarian tumors and forms 0.1% of all ovarian tumors, divided to three subgroups. Steroid cell tumor that are not otherwise specified (NOS) are the most common type and represent 60% of steroid cell tumors. One of the most known signs of this tumor is hormonal function, especially androgenic effects of it. Primary treatment consists of eradication of tumor via surgery. Case presentation: The patient is a 29 years old female with history of poly cystic ovarian syndrome since 10 years ago, who attended to the clinic of General Women Hospital of Tehran in January 2011. In pelvic ultrasonography, there was a 64×49mm mass in the right adnexa consisting of homogeneous component. She underwent laparotomy and unilateral salpingoophorectomy was done. Pathological report was steroid cell tumor of ovary. Conclusion: The aim of this study is reporting one of the rare tumors of ovary and assessment of the correct way of diagnosis and treatment of it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Currently, the issue of urban regeneration in metropolitan tourism is of great importance for urban planners and policy makers. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the effective indicators in the recreation of tourism in the metropolis of Tehran. Methods: The present article is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of method. Shannon entropy method has been used to scale the regeneration indices. The regeneration indices are then prioritized using the TOPSIS model and one-sample t-test. Results: Findings show that using TOPSIS model, according to experts, functional, aesthetic, environmental index with a weight of 0.63 has the highest share and social index with a weight of 0.38 and also economic index with a weight of 0.12 has the lowest share in reproduction. They have urban tourism space in the studied areas. Also, according to the single-sample t-test from the point of view of experts, the results of this test show that by considering alpha 0.05 at the level of 99% confidence in all three factors: functional, aesthetic, environmental, economic and Social as an independent variable was less than 0.05. Conclusion: The result of one-sample t-test also indicates the exact scores of the indicators of recreation of tourism space confirming the results of the implementation of TOPSIS technique. Finally, in this hypothesis, it is emphasized that functional-aesthetic-environmental, economic and social factors have been effective in recreating the tourism space of the studied areas, but it seems that the functional-aesthetic-environmental factor has a greater share in the recreation of Tourism space in the studied areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asthma as an airway disease is identified by increase network responsiveness of the trachea and bronchus to a specific stimulus. Th17 cells through production of IL-17 have important role in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. In some studies has been shown which IL-17 as major cytokine of Th17 probably has important role in the pathogenesis of allergy and asthma. Methods: Total mRNA extracted from whole blood samples and sputum of 23 asthma patients and 23 normal controls. Then, total RNA was converted into cDNA according to the manufacturer's instructions. Finally, the transcript levels of IL-17 were quantified by the real-time quantitative PCR. Twenty-three patients with asthma were diagnosed and selected according to the global initiative for asthma (GINA) and none of the patients had taken the medication at least three week before sampling. Healthy individuals did not have any history of allergy, asthma and other inflammatory diseases at the time of sampling. All of experiments have done in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran during May to February, 2013. Results: This study showed a significant increase in transcript levels of IL-17 in the blood (287±79 versus 1/18±0/13) and sputum samples of the patients (64±28 versus 0/9±0/1) in comparison with normal individuals (P= 0.000, P= 0.029 respectively). It also revealed that the expression levels of the cytokines in the serum samples of the asthmatics were significantly more than their levels in patient's sputum samples (P= 0.000). However, there was no significant difference between the cytokines expression levels in serum samples and sputum samples of the controls (P> 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, we showed which the expression of IL-17 was increased in serum and sputum of asthmatic patients compared to healthy controls, this could result in elevation of neutrophils population and activation of pulmonary neutrophil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Bipolar I disorder is a common disorder with a complex etiology. A genetic approach is gaining increasing importance in this disorder. The dysbindin gene, located at 6p22.3 is considered a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia. Certain genotypes of dysbindin are thought to be associated with other psychoses such as bipolar disorders. This study intends to assess the association in previously implicated dysbindin genotypes and haplotypes with bipolar I disorder in an Iranian population. Methods: We genotyped four previously reported SNPs: rs2619522, rs1018381, 2743852 and rs2619538. Their haplotypes were analyzed in a population of 124 patients that consisted of 44 confirmed bipolar I disorder patients and 80 control subjects. We used multiple allele-specific PCR method for genotyping, which was verified by direct sequencing. Results: In concordance with previous reports in other populations our findings showed no association between the single SNPs and bipolar I disorder. Furthermore, none of the alleles showed a significant association with the disorder. In contrast to previous reports, haplotype analysis did not reveal any statistically significant associations with bipolar I disorder. Conclusion: Considering reports of previous studies regarding the implication of these dysbindin genotypes in bipolar I disorder, it is probable that allelic heterogeneity along with lack of an established causal variant in the dysbindin gene can be main factors for this discordance. With regards to ethnicities in other studies, population variation can also be considered an important factor in the observed variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the gastrointestinal system that presents with special gastrointestinal signs and lack of an organic etiology. Quality of life (QOL) is one of the most important outcomes of IBS. Several psychological factors are mentioned as effective in determining QOL in IBS patients. The goal of this study is to determined the relationship between illness perception and QOL in patients with IBS. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 96 patients, 40 males(41.7%) and 56 females(58.3%) who referred to the gastroenterology clinics of Imam Khomeini and Laleh hospitals from September to December 2012 Tehran, Iran. Participants completed a Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief- IPQ) and an IBS-specific QOL (IBS-QOL-34) questionnaire. Information collected by the questionnaire swereanalyzed with Pearson'scorrelation and regression analysis. Results: Results of the analysis performed by Pearson's correlation showed a significant association between patient's illness perception and QOL among those with IBS. Among the subscales of illness perception, the Consequence (p<0.01, r=0.63), Emotion (p<0.01, r=0.55), Concern (p<0.01, r=0.31), Timeline (p<0.01, r=0.30), and Identity (p<0.01, r=0.20) subscales showed the most significant correlation with QOL. There was no relation observed between Illness Comprehensibility, Treatment Control, and Personal Control subscales with QOL. Conclusion: Patient's illness perception seems to play a role in determining QOL among IBS suffers. Therefore psychological intervention based on the patient's illness perception is recommended for IBS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Acne is one of the most common skin diseases. One of the best treatments is systemic isotretinoin. Some studies link its use with depression, psychiatric problems and suicide, but it is still a matter of debate. So, this study was designed to determine the frequency of depression in acne patients, treated with isotretinoin. Methods: Fifty-nine acne patients between 16 -30 years old were included. The patients received 0.5-1 mg/kg/day isotretinoin for 16 weeks. At the beginning and at the end of study, the Beck questionnaire was completed by the patients and the results were analyzed. Results: The mean score of the Beck questionnaire was 13.19 at the beginning of the study and 14.80 after 4 months of treatment with isotretinoin (P=0.0001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that isotretinoin may have a small, but still noticeable increase in depression scores of acne patients. However, it is important to consider that various other parameters, such as individual's psychological status at the time of completing the questionnaire, might influence the results. So, further studies with more patients and longer durations, and the use of other pertinent questionnaires, are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common disease with unknown etiology. There is no curative treatment. Purslane is considered as a rich source of antioxidants with anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Purslane in the treatment of RAS. Methods: A total of 50 patients were selected for this randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial from School of Dentistry of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2011. All subjects were randomly divided into two groups. Groups A and B received placebo and Purslane, respectively, for three months. Pain intensity based on the visual analogue scale (VAS), the mean intervals of lesions occurrence, number of lesions and the mean duration of complete healing at baseline and at months 1, 2 and 3 were recorded. Results: While no patient complained from increased severity of pain, decreased severity of pain for 4, 3, 2, and 1 grades were recorded in %16, %20, 20%, and 40%, respectively, which were much higher than 4%, 8%, 8%, and 28%, respectively, in the control group. A significant decrease in pain intensity in VAS scores were seen after treatment in group B (P<0.001). The mean duration of complete healing showed significant differences (P<0.001) between groups A (-1.52±4.07 days) and group B (-6.56±4.50 days). The mean intervals between lesions also showed significant differences (P<0.001) between group A (17.88 days) and group B (33.12 days). No significant differences were found between group A and group B regarding to number of lesions. No serious side-effects occurred in either group. Conclusion: According to our study, Purslane is clinically effective in treatment of RAS and considering the lack of side-effects during the study period, this medicine may be a favorable alternative treatment for recurrent aphthous stomatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although fine needle aspiration (FNA) has been suggested as choice procedure in pre- operative diagnosis of thyroid nodules, but it may miss a third of all malignancies in palpable nodules of thyroid gland. Material and Methods: In a prospective study collected data of 198 consecutive patients who had preoperative FNA, thyroidectomy was performed in a university hospital, were reviewed. The FNA results were classified base on the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) classification. The patients were categorized into benign, malignant and indeterminate groups. The indeterminate group included follicular neoplasms, Hurthle cell lesions, and the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). All FNA results were evaluated by two expert cytopathologists who were blind to the results of histopathology and the clinical features of the patients. Results: A total of 172 (86.9%) thyroidectomized patients had benign lesions and 36 (13.1%) had malignant lesions in final histopathology. The most common malignant lesion was PTC (76.9%. Follicular thyroid carcinoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma and follicular adenoma were found in 3 and 18 patients, respectively. Benign lesions (158 cases, 79.8%), malignant lesions (17 cases, 8.6%), indeterminate (23 cases, 11.6%) were reported in FNA. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of FNA were 53.84%, 98.01%, 82.35%, 92.50, and 81.81%, respectively. Conclusion: FNA had low sensitivity to detect thyroid malignant lesions preoperatively. Thus, clinical features, findings of thyroid sonography, and novel biological markers should also be considered in the preoperative management of thyroid nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bedsore is common scene to those who take care of bedridden patients. Bedsore is the cause of morbidity, mortality, heavy expenses, and decrease of life quality to the patients. Using some indicators to predict bedsore would be helpful in recognizing this phenomenon to prevent its development. Therefore, the current study is an assessment of bedsore by using Braden index. It is anticipated that this study could be applicable in prevention of bedsores in bedridden patients. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was done to determine the value of Braden scale in assessment of bedsore factors in 222 patients admitted to the ICU, and surgical wards in Fatemeh Zahra and Salman Farsi hospitals in Bushehr-Iran. Data collection tools included demographic questionnaire and Braden scale. Demographic questionnaire and Braden scale were completed for all the research units. Patients were examined for bedsores at regular intervals until discharge from hospital. Presence of bedsores and the time of bedsore development were registered. Data was analyzed by STATA and SPSS ver. 13 softwares, ROC CURP, T test and X2. Results: Out of 222 subjects 14% (31 patients) suffered from bedsores; 18 male (12.7%) and 13 female (16.3%). The most prevalent sites for bedsor were heel and sacrom (30%). The effect of weight, age and sex was insignificant among the patients with bedsores compared to the patients without bedsores (p=0.293, p= 0.576, p=0.867). The effect of bed on bedsore was insignificant (p=0.739). The effect of smoking on bedsore was insignificant (p=0.738). Walking (p=0.03), and movement of limbs (p=0.001) were two braden indices which showed significant relationship with bedsore development. By using STATA, score 14 of Braden scale was recognized as best point for bedsore prediction (sensitivity 52%, and specifity 61%). Conclusion: Although all the indices of Braden scale cannot be used to predict bedsore, but some of them can be used by nurses and those who take care of bedridden patients to predict this debilitating and mortal phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most important and most common fatal types of cancer in the world. Identifying new agents which individually or in combination with other agents induce apoptosis in tumor cells is surely of great significance in treatment of colon cancer. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of applying lovastatin and α-tocopherol individually or in combination with each other in the induction of apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells. Materials and Methods: In this trial, HT29 cells were exposed to various concenterations of lovastatin (5, 10, and 20 μmol) and/or alpha tocopherol (10, 20, and 25, and 30 μmol). After cell count, these cells were examined through trypan blue method and DNA fragmentation technique. Results: The findings of DNA fragmentation technique showed that each of the two drugs could induce apoptosis at all of the given concentrations. In the combination of 10 μmol concentration of lovastatin and 5 and 10 μmol concentrations of α-tocopherol, induction of apoptosis was not observed. Conclusion: Based on the extensive effects of statins, the concentration of lovastatin is seen as determining in its apoptosis function, and its combination with tocopheroles in high concentrations, by inducing apoptosis, can provide novel effective strategies for prevention of human colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]