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Introduction: Older people are more vulnerable to physical disability, as well as mental illnesses. They also may experience challenges that can be related to Nussbaum's Central Human Functional Capabilities. The purpose of this study was to explore the elderly's views related to Central Human Functional Capabilities. Methods: This study used a qualitative approach to understand older people's perspectives on capabilities. Purposive sampling was used to select nineteen older women aged 65 to 79 years. The data collected through semi-structured interviews were thematically analyzed. Results: Eighteen themes emerged by thematic analysis of the ten functional capabilities, including life (life expectancy, life satisfaction), bodily health (functional independence, nutrition, and accessibility), bodily integrity (independent decision-making and dealing with insults), senses, imagination and thought (material interests and religious beliefs), emotions (love of children), practical reason (daily routine), affiliation (respect for others, empathy for others, gender discrimination), other species (interest in nature and flowers), play (interest in recreational activities), and control over one's environment (political participation, being dependent). Conclusion: Despite the importance of all the capabilities from the viewpoint of the elderly, the "bodily health" and "bodily integrity" capabilities were of particular importance. Health policymakers should recognize the Central Human Functional Capabilities and allocate resources and services that best promote these capabilities for the elderly.

Background: Several studies have been conducted on the impact of acceptance-based and cognitive-behavioral therapy. But research comparing the efficacy of acceptance-based and commitment-based therapy and positive cognitive-behavioral therapy on pain self-efficacy in patients with chronic pain remains neglected. Aims: To compare the efficacy of acceptance and commitment based therapy and positive cognitive-behavioral therapy on pain self-efficacy in patients with chronic pain. Method: This study was a quasi-experimental study with a 3-month-old instructor with 3 witnesses. The statistical population consisted of all patients with chronic pain referred to Hazrat Rasool Akram Hospital in Tehran in summer of 2019. 45 patients were selected as the sample and randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Research tools are: Nicholas Pain Self-efficacy Questionnaire (2007), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention (Hayes et al., 2013) and Positive Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Ben Nink, 2014). Descriptive statistics and repeated measures analysis were used. Results: There was a significant difference between acceptance and commitment based therapy and positive cognitive-behavioral therapy with the control group in pain self-efficacy in patients with chronic pain (P< 0/001). But there was no significant difference between acceptance and commitment based therapy and positive cognitive-behavioral therapy in pain self-efficacy in patients with chronic pain (P< 0/05). Conclusions: Acceptance and commitment based therapy and positive cognitive-behavioral therapies are important in increasing my pain self-efficacy.

Unified Transdiagnostic treatment is one of the new psychological therapies that the effect of it on many emotional disorders has been established. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of Unified Transdiagnostic treatment on social anxiety symptoms and difficulty of emotional regulations. It was a Single-subject design study with baseline design, the population of this study were all patients with social anxiety disorders referring to medical centers of counseling, psychological and psychiatric in 2017 in Neyshabur, Iran. Of these, 2 people with social anxiety disorders were selected on a purposive method and based on multidimensional evaluation (SCID-I, Connor's social phobia inventory and psychiatrist's interview. The subjects were treated in 15 sessions -60-45 minutes of Unified Trans-diagnostic and during which the baseline stage, 2nd, 3rd. and 4th measurements were evaluated using the Connor's social phobia inventory and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale of Gratz & Roemer. Data were analyzed using MPI, MPR, Cohen's d, effect size and Visual analysis. The results showed that both participants experienced a significant reduction in social anxiety and difficulty in emotional regulation during and after treatment. According to the results of this study, Unified Transdiagnostic therapy was effective in improving the symptoms of social anxiety and difficulty in emotion regulation in patients with social anxiety disorder and therefore, it is suggested as a psychological treatment in clinical practice

Abstract Background Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) especially those with younger age experience an alteration in physiological and emotional lifestyle that can affect intimacy and sexuality. The aim of this study was to determine demographic and disease related determinants of intimacy and sexuality in young women with MS. Methods This was a cross sectional study carried out in Tehran, Iran. A convenience sample of young women aged ≤35 years old with MS attending to outpatient clinics in a teaching hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences was entered into the study. The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19) was used to evaluate how the disease influences sexual function and satisfaction in these patients. Multivariable analysis using hierarchical method was performed to identify variables that are associated with intimacy and sexuality. Results In total 117 young women with confirmed diagnosis of MS were included in the study. Participants mean was 25.7 (SD = 8.07) years. A multivariable hierarchical regression analysis was performed using demographic variables entered in step one, relevant neurological variables in step two, and psychological variables in step three. Furthermore, we loaded antidepressant use in the last step. Overall, the seven variables accounted for 39% of total variance observed for the MSISQ score (P

Background: Despite the advantages of the internet for human life, nowadays, as a double-edged sword, this new communication technology has caused problems such as internet addiction, especially for the young people and students. Identifying the factors related to such an addictive behavior is of especial importance, both because of its general consequences and because of the specific nature of the student stratum. The present study was conducted to identify the extent of and factors related to internet addiction in students of Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in the academic year 2013 on newly arrived students of Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences (N=253). The data collection instrument was a two-part questionnaire including students’ demographic characteristics, and questions related to internet addiction assessment (internet addiction test [IAT]), in which a score above 49 was related to pathological internet addiction and a score below or equal to 49 was considered normal. The analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software version 16.0. The significance level of 0.05 was considered for all the above tests. Results: The data analysis indicated that 196 (96%) respondents were with non-pathological internet addiction and 8 respondents (4%) had pathological internet addiction. There was also a significant relationship between age and internet addiction; however, sex and marital status variables had no significant relationship with this phenomenon. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the participants mostly had mild levels of internet addiction, which can be related to the time of study regarding newly arrived students and concerns about it such as the entrance exam. Students who are about entering the university spend most of their time reviewing the required courses for the entrance exam due to the importance of the exam, and it seems that they often less likely use the internet. Nonetheless, it is important to consider the internet addiction as a problem regarding the overall results of studies in this area.

Background & Objective: In conceptualizing addiction, the role of personality elements in the emergence and continuation of dependence to substances has attracted the attention of researchers. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of personality disorders and temperament-character traits of personality in substance-dependent individuals. Materials &Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 150 patients referred to Nekooe-Forghani Hospital in Qom and 145 healthy people working in this hospital were selected by convenience sampling. The two groups were evaluated and compared by Multidimensional Clinical Questionnaire (III). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA, Tukey post hoc test). Results: The results showed that the prevalence of personality disorders was 56% in substance dependent individuals. Borderline personality disorder with 16%, antisocial personality with 14%, and avoidance personality with 6.67% had the highest frequency in the case group, respectively. Also, generally, subjects with substance dependence had higher scores in novelty-seeking and lower scores in self-directed dimensions compared with normal group. Moreover, sedative drugs users had more scores in harm avoidance, stimulant users in self-transcendence and normal subjects in persistence than other groups. Conclusion: The results of the research indicated that there was a high prevalence of personality disorders among drug-dependent individuals. In addition, study showed that there was a significant difference between personality dimensions of temperament-character in substance dependent individuals and normal people.

Abstract Background Light and sedentary behaviors impose heavy challenges on societies. The objectives of this study are to identify child sedentary behaviors, and to examine the relationship between parent knowledge and behavioral style on children’s sedentary time in Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was done among children and their parents selected randomly using multi-stage method, from 12 urban districts in Tabriz, Iran;2017. Data were collected through designing a multi-sectional questionnaire adopted from the Bjelland and previous studies to assess the time spent on sedentary behaviors among children/adolescents along with parent knowledge and behavioral style. Results From 480 children/adolescents and their parents 54.6% came from middle class families, and 55.62% were boys aged 2 to18. The percentage of time spent more than 120 min per day (min/d) on weekdays was for watching television (TV): (girls 24.4%, boys 21.0%), for playing computer and video games: (girls 38.7%, boys 54.7%), for electronic media communication (EMC): (girls 52.8%, boys 60.2%). The associated factors for watching TV: child age [12 years and above OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 0.53–3.54], parent knowledge [OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.35–0.99], and communicative styles [OR = 1.43, 95%CI = 1.11–1.86], and for playing computer and EMC: child age [5 years old and above OR = 4.83,95% CI =1.52–15.38, 12 years old and above OR = 13.76, 95% CI= 4.22–24.91], family socio-economic status [middle class OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.54–4.11, high class OR = 5.53, 95%CI = 1.80–15.89]. Conclusion There is an urgent need to combat the unrestricted prevalence of sedentary behaviors among Iranian children/ adolescents who use computers and other electronic devices more than the recommended time every day from early childhood. Parents should be provided with appropriate information about adverse effects of using electronic devices longer than recommended time by children. It is also essential to teach them beneficial communicative styles to monitor their children’s sedentary behaviors.

Introduction. The elderly population is commonly affected by balance and gait disorders that increase the risk of falls. Pivotal systems for efficient postural control are sensory, motor, visual, vestibular, and cognitive. Disruption in any of these systems could lead to postural instability. Vestibular rehabilitation is a set of exercises that positively affect the primary components of the central sensory-motor integration, including somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems. Accordingly, we hypothesized that vestibular rehabilitation exercises might improve both oculomotor functions and upright postural control in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Materials and Methods. 11 idiopathic Parkinson’s patients voluntarily participated in this study based on inclusion criteria: central vestibular dysfunction and the Hoehn and Yahr scale scores less than or equal to 3. Videonystagmography (VNG) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores were measured at the baseline. Then, the patients underwent vestibular rehabilitation training for 24 sessions (3 sessions per week). The VNG and BBS were measured again after 48 hours of the completion of the last session of the training. Result. After completing vestibular rehabilitation sessions, there were significant improvements in balance P≤0.001. Eye-tracking and gaze function statistically improved in 7 patients and 6 patients, respectively. Conclusion. Vestibular rehabilitation produced positive effects on oculomotor function and balance in a small cohort of people with PD. Consequently, it could be considered as a possible effective intervention for Parkinson’s patients. This trial is registered with IRCT201709123551N6.

Objectives. To investigate the histopathological characteristics of cutaneous melanoma in Isfahan from 2013 to 2018, according to histopathological subtype, lesions location, Clark level, and Breslow thickness. Methods. A descriptive, retrospective study in reports of Alzahra Hospital and Dr. Rajabi Pathology Laboratory in Isfahan. Results. In total, 45 patients were included in this study. The most prevalent histopathological subtype was acral lentiginous melanoma (48.89%), followed by lentigo maligna melanoma (17.78%), nodular melanoma (11.11%), and superficial spreading melanoma (8.89%). Most malignant lesions were on the foot and toes (31.1%) and face (24.4%). Tumor invasion level was mainly at Clark level IV (42.2%). Furthermore, the mean depth of tumor penetration (Breslow thickness) was 3.87 ± 3.35. Conclusions. Our study revealed the characteristics of melanoma in the Iranian population. Our results showed a similar trend with previous studies in the Asian population. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the role of ethnic and environmental risk factors for developing melanoma in different populations.

Background and Objectives: Premenstrual syndrome is defined as a group of physical and psychological symptom, which happens during luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Researches have indicated that premenstrual syndrome has significant effects on mental health and well-being of women. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of premenstrual syndrome and its relationship with psychological well-being in the students of Qom University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this descriptive–correlational study, a total number of 226 female students of Qom University of Medical Sciences, were selected using convenience sampling method during 2017-2018. The participants were asked to respond to the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale, Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale, and demographic checklist. Data were analyzed using descriptive, correlation, and multivariate regression statistical techniques. Results: In this research, 37% of the students reported mild symptoms, 49.8% moderate symptoms, and 13.2% severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Pearson correlation coefficient test also showed that symptom severity had a significant correlation with psychological well-being (p

Abstract Pellagra is a clinical syndrome resulting from niacin deficiency with variety of manifestations. Azathioprine is among drugs that can lead to such condition. Physicians should be aware as proper management can lead to full resolution.

The problem of constructing and justifying the discrete algorithms of the support operator method for numerical modeling of differential repeated rotational operations of vector analysis (curlcurl) in application to problems of magnetohydrodynamics is considered. Difference schemes of the support operator method on the unstructured meshes do not approximate equations in the local sense. Therefore, it is necessary to prove the convergence of these schemes to the exact solution, which is possible after analyzing the error structure of their approximation. For this analysis, a decomposition of the space of mesh vector functions into an orthogonal direct sum of subspaces of potential and vortex fields is introduced. Generalized centroid-tensor metric representations of repeated operations of tensor analysis (div, grad, and curl) are constructed. Representations have flux-circulation properties that are integrally consistent on spatial meshes of irregular structure. On smooth solutions of the model magnetostatic problem on a tetrahedral mesh with the first order of accuracy in the rms sense, the convergence of the constructed difference schemes is proved. The algorithms constructed in this work can be used to solve physical problems with discontinuous magnetic viscosity, dielectric permittivity, or thermal resistance of the medium.

2D numerical modeling algorithms of multi-component, multi-phase filtration processes of mass transfer in frost-susceptible rocks using nonlinear partial differential equations are a valuable tool for problems of subsurface hydrodynamics considering the presence of free gas, free water, gas hydrates, ice formation and phase transitions. In this work, a previously developed one-dimensional numerical modeling approach is modified and 2D algorithms are formulated through means of the support-operators method (SOM) and presented for the entire area of the process extension. The SOM is used to generalize the method of finite difference for spatially irregular grids case. The approach is useful for objects where a lithological heterogeneity of rocks has a big influence on formation and accumulation of gas hydrates and therefore it allows to achieve a sufficiently good spatial approximation for numerical modeling of objects related to gas hydrates dissociation in porous media. The modeling approach presented here consistently applies the method of physical process splitting which allows to split the system into dissipative equation and hyperbolic unit. The governing variables were determined in flow areas of the hydrate equilibrium zone by applying the Gibbs phase rule. The problem of interaction of a vertical fault and horizontal formation containing gas hydrates was investigated and test calculations were done for understanding of influence of thermal effect of the fault on the formation fluid dynamic.

A theoretical study of the Mo2TiAlC2 compound belonging to the MAX phases has been performed by using the first-principles pseudopotential plane-wave method within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). We have calculated the structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of Mo2TiAlC2. To confirm mechanical stability, the elastic constants Cij are calculated. Other elastic parameters such as bulk modulus, shear modulus, compressibility, Young modulus, anisotropic factor, Pugh ratio, Poisson's ratio are also calculated. The energy band structure and density of states are calculated and analyzed. The results show that the electrical conductivity is metallic with a high density of states at the Fermi level in which Mo 4d states dominate. Furthermore, the optical properties such as dielectric function, refractive index, photoconductivity, absorption coefficients, loss function and reflectivity are also calculated. Its reflectance spectrum shows that it has the potential to be used as a promising shielding material to avoid solar heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and glycerol were used for cryopreservation of Vero cells. After total cell count Vero cells were preserved in liquid nitrogen. Two frozen stocks were made simultaneously from the cell suspensions of same concentrations using DMSO or glycerol at concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, 10% and 15%. After six months of cryopreservation both frozen stocks were used providing same nutrients and environment for the viability of the Vero cells. The cell viability analysis was performed immediately after thawing by Trypan Blue Exclusion Test. Both cryoprotectants showed a protective effect on Vero cells. When Glycerol was used, a maximum cell viability rate of 89.4% and a lowest cell viability rate of 63% were achieved at concentrations of 10% and 2.5%, respectively. On the other hand, DMSO at a concentration of 10% had the highest effect on cryoprotectivity and showed highest cell viability (75%), while at 15% concentration it showed the lowest cell viability (53%). It is suggested that DMSO and glycerol are appropriate protective materials for the cryopreservation of Vero cells. The solutions at concentration of 10% of DMSO and glycerol could be the best choice of cryoprotectant for long-term (6 months) preservation of Vero cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical study of Ti X2 ( X = Cr, Mn) with C14 Laves phase compounds has been performed by using the first-principles pseudopotential plane-wave method within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The electronic properties (Fermi surface and charge density) have been calculated and analyzed. The optical characteristics (dielectric functions, absorption spectrum, conductivity, energy-loss spectrum and reflectivity) are calculated and discussed. The calculated large positive static dielectric constant indicates good dielectric properties. The reflectivity of Ti X2 ( X = Cr, Mn) is high in the IR-Visible-UV region up to 13 eV showing promise as a good solar heating barrier material. The temperature and pressure dependence of bulk modulus, Debye temperature, specific heats and thermal expansion coefficient are obtained for T = 1200 K and P = 50 GPa through quasi-harmonic Debye model with phononic effects. Fermi surface, optical and thermodynamic properties are very important for practical applications of the materials in optical and other devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to scientific evidence, high levels of sensitivity anxiety are one of the predictors of panic attacks, anxiety, and depression. The multidimensional anxiety sensitivity (cognitive, social, and physiological) is base on cognitive biases such as attention biases which are due to selecting threatening stimuli instead of neutral or positive stimuli. Despite the initial promise, attention bias modification (ABM) has a limited effect on reducing anxiety. This study aims to modify attention bias by reducing the focus on the threatening stimuli based on Bioenergy Economy (BEE) protocol; as an integrated model of care. Methods: The present study is base on a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test and follow-up in both groups. Thirty women between the ages of 23 to 50 selected from the patients referred to Bozorgmehr Neurology clinic in Mashhad. People who scored more than 70 in anxiety test, were randomly put into the experimental and control groups. The data collection tool was dotprobe test. The experimental group participated in the entire BEE protocol. Results: The mean score sensitivity anxiety of the experimental group in the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up was significantly lower than those in the control group by using multivariate analysis of covariance. Also, the mean score of the experimental group in dot-probe test, neutral reaction time, emotional response time, and interference score in the post-test phase, as well as the components of dull reaction time and sensitive response time in the follow-up and post-test were significantly lower than the control group. Conclusion: The BEE protocol is effective in ABM and reducing high sensitivity anxiety.

Objective: Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seed oil mainly consists of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Previously, it was reported that oral administration of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) improved hair growth in male pattern alopecia. This study aimed to evaluate hair promoting activity of topical PSO in an animal model. Materials and Methods: Male Swiss mice (25-30 g) were used. Dorsal hair of mice (2 x 2.5 cm) was gently removed. Groups were treated as follows: (A) Intact control (did not receive testosterone) (B) Testosterone solution only (5% w/v); (C) Testosterone (5%) + PSO (5%); (D) Testosterone (5%) + PSO (10%) (E) Testosterone (5%) + minoxidil (2%). Application of drugs (100 µl) was done for six days a week, for 3 weeks. Observational and microscopic examinations were performed and results of different groups were compared. Results: Topical application of testosterone significantly (ptreated group, respectively. These percentages for PSO (10%) and minoxidil were 75±5.3 and 91.3±4.4, respectively and they could significantly (p Conclusion: In conclusion, as topical application of PSO showed hair growth promotion, it might be regarded as a promising alternative for treatment of male pattern alopecia. Also, considering its composition, free fatty acids and minor components like phytoestrogens and vitamin E may have contributed to this effect.

This study aims to test the proposed model of the relationship of some cognitive and motivational variables. The research method was correlational and structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of all female highschool students in Bandar Abbas in the academic year of 2018-2019 (1633 students) and the sampling method was multi-stage. The sample size was 600 people. Data collection tools were Hosseinchari and Dehghanizadeh Academic Well-being Questionnaire, and Human-Vogel & Rabe Academic Commitment Scale, and high school final exam score. Spearman correlation test and factor analysis were used for analysis. Results indicated significant relationship between academic commitment and academic achievement (r = 0.097, P≤0.05), academic achievement and investment dimension (R = 0.129, P≤ 0.01), and academic satisfaction and academic achievement dimension(R = 0.098, P≤0.05) and academic commitment with academic achievement level(R = 0.147, P≤0.01). There was also a significant relationship between dimension of commitment replacement and academic achievement (r = 0.132, P≤0.01). The analysis of standard and non-standard coefficients showed that except for the relationship between the dimensions of commitment and the overall score of commitment that was expected, other paths were not significant. Despite the results above, the model fit indices were good and indicated the moderate model fitness.

Background & Objective: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a common skin cancer arising from the basal layer of the epidermis and its appendages. They are locally invasive, aggressive, and destructive of skin and the surrounding structures. β-Catenin is a multifunctional protein located to the intracellular side of the cytoplasmic membrane coded by the CTNNB1 gene, which maps to chromosome 3p22.1. It has a critical role in cell-to-cell adhesion by linking cadherins to the actin cytoskeleton and has a central role in transcriptional regulation in the Wnt signaling pathway. We evaluated the diagnostic value of the Beta catenin immunohistochemistry marker in distinction of aggressive and non-aggressive Basal cell carcinoma.Methods: This cross sectional and descriptive-analytical study was done on archived formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue blocks in pathology library of Al-Zahra hospital in Isfahan city. We used immunochemistry to determinate the role of β-Catenin in aggressiveness in BCC with higher rate of relapse.Results: A total of 76 samples were evaluated in two groups (aggressive &none aggressive). The mean percentage of cytoplasmic β-Catenin staining in aggressive group was more significant than the other group (sensitivity: 86.8% specificity: 81.6%, PPV: 81.5% and NPV: 86.1%) and the mean percentage of membranous β-Catenin staining in non-aggressive group were significant more than the aggressive group. Intensity of membranous staining in both groups significant less than normal epithelium.Conclusion: Cytoplasmic β-Catenin staining in aggressive BCC is more significant than non-aggressive subtypes, so this indicates that the use of β-Catenin IHC marker maybe helpful in the diagnosis of aggressive BCC.

Introduction: Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world although the country is endowed with agricultural produce that could be properly utilised to adequate food for children. Considering this, three weaning foods were formulated using locally available cereals and nutritious fruits such as wheat, soya flour, jackfruit and mango. Methods: Standard procedures of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and American Public Health Association (APHA) were used to determine the chemical composition and microbiological analysis. Organoleptic qualities were analysed by twenty adult panelists of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, Bangladesh, using a 9-hedonic scale against a cereal based commercial brand as standard for proximate and sensory properties. Results: The moisture content of the developed weaning foods ranged from 2.78-3.59%, crude protein content 14.74-16.55%, fat 11.04-12.70%, ash 1.38-1.68%, crude fibre 1.04-1.52%, carbohydrate 65.83-71.09% and energy content from 445.80-465.48 kcal/100g of the foods. The formulated weaning foods A, B and C were significantly different (p<0.05) in moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrate and energy contents from the commercial brand, D. According to rat bioassay method, the prepared weaning foods C and B had the highest Protein Efficiency Ratio and Feed Efficiency Ratio than the commercial brand, D. Total bacterial-counts were nil for all weaning foods. Sensory analysis revealed acceptability of all the weaning foods and preference for weaning food C that compared favorably with the standard in all the quality attributes. Conclusion: The formulated weaning foods are inexpensive and nutritious, and its ingredients are locally available. These foods have the potential for improving malnutrition facing children in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dhaka Zoo with 2000 animal heads of 184 species from significant genetic diversity and five million visitors' influx round the year is placing it a public health important spot. This study was conducted to investigate histoplasmosis in animals at Dhaka Zoo to ascertain animal health, welfare and public health safety standard. One hundred and two necropsied tissue samples preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin at necropsy from 36 animals of 25 different species were collected from Dhaka Zoo during 2007 - 2009. Twenty five out of 36 study animals were suffering from granulomatous diseases of mycotic and/or bacterial origin. Among them three animals were found suffering from histoplasmosis. Clinical history, nodular lesions from necropsy findings, granulomatous reactions with fungal spores on histopathology; macrophages laden with histoplasma organisms on histopathology and on special staining were revealed histoplasmosis in six rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Present study provides evidence of existing histoplasmosis and similar long standing zoonotic diseases in majority of rest of the animals with health risk that shades health safety standard at Dhaka Zoo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A basal diet (0.8 g/kg dNa) was formulated in which each of the two sources (NaHCO3 and Na2SO4) were supplemented in such a way to attain four levels (1.7, 2.6, 3.5, and 4.4 g/kg) of total dNa, respectively, under 4×2 factorial arrangement. Eight dietary treatments were replicated four times, with 40 birds in each replicate (n = 1,280). The diets supplemented with Na2SO4 to attain higher levels of dNa showed highest BW gain and feed intake (FI) during d 1 to 10 (interaction effects) while 2.6 g/kg dNa exhibited improved BW gain and gain:feed (FG) during d 11 to 20. Linear rise in daily water intake (DWI) was associated with diets containing increasing dNa during d 1 to 42 (p⩽0.036). During the first 10 d, DWI:FI was found highest in NaHCO3 diets while Na2SO4 diets showed highest DWI:FI during last 10 d of the experiment (p⩽0.036). Increasing dNa and changing Na2SO4 with NaHCO3 salt increased pH and resulted in poor growth performance. Dressing weight (p⩽0.001) and abdominal fat (p⩽0.001; quadratic effect) were reduced, whereas breast (p⩽0.001) and thigh (p<0.001) weights were aggravated with increasing dNa (linear effects). Present findings suggested higher levels of dNa from Na2SO4 as the supplemental salt in broiler diets would produce better growth performance, especially in first ten days of life, and improve carcass and body organ characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet basil is an important medicinal plant belonging to Lamiaceae family. In this plant, Phenylpropanoid pathway possesses some enzymes involving in generating suitable essential oil constituents. The main purpose of conducting this study was to investigate the effects of chitosan on sweet basil’s growth and physiological parameters as well as gene expression subjected to salinity stress. After employing a foliar-spray of chitosan at 0 (as control) and 0.2 gl–1, the plants were subjected to salinity treatments at 0, 25, 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl. The results of this research revealed that chitosan, compared to the controls, improved growth parameters under stressed or non-stressed conditions. In this regard, chitosan increased protein and chlorophyll contents as well as the expression of PAL and COVMT genes leading to an increase in phenolic compounds. To sum up, chitosan improved sweet basil tolerance to salinity through influencing the genes involved in the pathway of phenylpropanoid so as to produce secondary metabolites.

Eruptive syringoma is a rare variant of syringoma presenting with skin-colored or slightly pigmented papules mostly before or during puberty. In this report, we presented a rare case of eruptive syringoma in a 30-year-old woman. She exhibited multiple skin lesions in dorsal areas of her both hands, developed from the age of 15.

Background. Hypertension and its complications are among the major health problems all over the world, particularly in developing countries. The aims of this study were to show that, weather the hypertensive patients follow the expertise recommendations and differences between men and women in their levels of knowledge and behavior in salt taking. Methods. The present cross-sectional study was conducted among all hypertensive patients in rural health centers of Tabriz, Iran, in Feb–May; 2016. Data were collected by an interviewer-administrated questionnaire, along with anthropometric, blood pressure, and 24-hour urinary sodium excretion measurements. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to compute adjusted odds ratio (OR). Results. In all 205 patients, 62.9% female, 40.5% aged over 60 years, and 53.7% with low or moderate socioeconomic status, 49.3% body mass index (BMI) 30 kg/m2 and above, 10.2% of the patients had systolic/diastolic equal and above (≥) 40/90 mmHg, participated in the study. In total, 16.6% were aware of the daily salt allowance for healthy people with sex difference (P

One of the most disabling nonmotor symptoms in persons with Parkinson’s disease is fatigue, which can decrease the quality of life by restricting the function and activities of daily living (ADL). Nonetheless, sufficient evidence for treating fatigue, including drug or nondrug treatment, is not available. In this study, we evaluated the probable effects of vestibular rehabilitation on fatigue and ADL in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Methods. This was a single-blind clinical trial study in which patients with Parkinson’s disease voluntarily participated based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were randomly assigned to the case and control groups. The case group received 24 sessions of vestibular rehabilitation protocol, and conventional rehabilitation was performed in the control group (i.e., 3 sessions each week, each lasted about 60 minutes). Both groups were also given fatigue management advice. Fatigue was measured by the Parkinson Fatigue Scale (PFS) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). ADL was measured by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). All changes were measured from the baseline at the completion of the intervention. Results. Both fatigue (P≤0.001) and ADL (P≤0.001) improved significantly more in the vestibular intervention group than in the control one. Conclusion. Vestibular rehabilitation may improve fatigue and ADL and therefore can be used as an effective intervention for patients with Parkinson’s disease, which was also found to be well tolerated.

Background Academic commitment as a new specialized issue has attracted the attention of educational researchers. Despite of the conducting relevant studies, it was more considered by Human-Vogel and Rabe. Their designed research tool has not yet been used in Iran. Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the factor structure and reliability of this tool in Iranian learners. Methods The primary tool consisted of 30 items and 5 dimensions (students’ satisfaction with their studies, level of commitment, investment, quality of alternatives, and meaningfulness). In this cross-sectional study, 449 pre-university students of Bandar Abbas city were selected through multi-stage sampling. Data were analyzed using AMOS and SPSS software. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine factor structure. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and Gottman and Spearman-Brown split-half coefficients, were used to test the reliability. Results After examination the validity of the tool, five items were excluded and finally a questionnaire including 25 questions was obtained. Beta coefficients were greater than 0.4. Model fit indices, including root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), Comparative fit index (CFI), goodness of fit index (GFI), adjusted goodness of fit index (AGFI), normed fit index (NFI), incremental fit index (IFI), and Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) were obtained 0.04, 0.95, 0.91, 0.90, 0.90, 0.95, and 0.94, respectively, indicating the fitness of this five-factor tool. A Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.87, a Gottman’s split-half of 0.65, and a Spearman-Brown split-half of 0.68 were obtained, indicating the appropriate reliability of the instrument. Conclusions Based on the results, the final version of the tool seems to be suitable for assessing academic commitment in Iranian learners in the Iran educational systems.

Introduction: The goal of this research was to compare Alexithymia and psychological defense mechanisms in cancer patients with normal group. Also, investigation of the predictive role of three defense mechanisms in Alexithymia was considered. Materials and Methods: From chemotherapy ward of Shahid Beheshti hospital of Qom city, 45 cancer patients were selected by convenient sampling method. Also, 45 employees of this hospital were included as the normal group. Defense Mechanisms Questionnaire and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 were used. Data was analyzed with Independent Sample T-test, Pearson Correlation and Multivariate Regression. Results: Compared with normal people, cancerous patients had higher scores in alexithymia (p=0.01), difficulty in emotions recognition subscale (p=0.03) and non-developed defense mechanisms (p=0.007). Non-developed defense mechanisms had significant relationships with alexithymia and difficulty in emotion’s recognition and description subscales (p>0.01), also non-developed defense mechanisms could predict alexithymia in cancerous patients (p>0.005). Conclusions: Findings indicates that cancer is a stressful event that can cause non-developed defense mechanisms start to emerge as dominant psychological defense mechanisms in the majority of patients. Alexithymia which has a relation with defense mechanisms is also a dynamic reaction for coping with unpleasant emotions driven by the illness.

Introduction: Several current academic policies are being developed without participation of academics and relevantscientific associations in Iran. This study was conducted to explain the views of academics of nursing and midwifery on the development of current educational and research policies. Method: This qualitative study was conducted on 12 academic members of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and continued until data saturation was achieved. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the participants. All interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. A content analysis approach was used to explore the data. Results: Overall, 321 codes were found, and then these codes were summarized and categorized based on conceptual similarities and differences and ultimately described in three main categories and six sub categories. "Ignoring the nature of different disciplines in policy making" and, "lack of policymakers' awareness of working conditions" was the main factors identified by the faculty members. "Lack of recognition of college administrators from higher education management" and "the existence of a centralized policy system in the higher education system" were identified as barriers to contribution to policy development by the academic staffs. Conclusion: It is recommended that policy-makers in the field of higher education in nursing and midwifery consider revision of existing policies and pay special attention to the requirements of these disciplines. We also suggest involving more nursing faculties in the future policy making endevours. Key words: Faculty, nursing, midwifery, qualitative

Background and Objectives: Cognitive psychologists consider schemas as cognitive structures, which affect the person in selecting, encoding, and processing information obtained from the environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between Myers-Briggs personality dimensions and early maladaptive schemas in medical students. Methods: In this descriptive-correlational research, 120 students (60 females and 60 males), were selected through convenience sampling method and answered to Yang’s Schema questionnaire and Myers-Briggs Type Inventory. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and independent t-test. Results: In this study, no difference was oserved between the two groups in Myers-Briggs Personality dimensions. Both groups obtained the highest scores in perception and extraversion. There was a significant difference between the two groups in impaired limits domain and females obtained higher scores in this domain. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between introversion dimension of Myers-Briggs Personality Profiling and impaired limits domain. There were also significant negative correlations between judgment dimension and schemas of disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, over vigilance and inhibition, and impaired limits domain. Sensation dimension and impaired limits schema showed significant positive correlation. Conclusion: Findings of this research provide some evidence on correlation between maladaptive schemas and personality types.

The role of monochromatic lights was investigated on meat quality in 1-d-old straight-run broiler chicks (n = 360), divided into 6 light sources with 6 replicates having 10 chicks in each replicate. Six light sources were described as incandescent bulbs (IBL, as a control) and light-emitting diode (LED) light colors as white light (WL), blue light, red light (RL), green light, and yellow light. Among LED groups, the RL increased the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.001), saturated fatty acids (P < 0.001), and the saturated:polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio (P < 0.001), but reduced the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acid, n-3 fatty acid, and n-6 fatty acid. The IBL increased the n-3 and sulfur-containing amino acids but reduced the n-6:n-3 nonessential amino acids. The WL improved the concentration of most of the essential amino acids (P < 0.01) and nonessential amino acids (P < 0.01) of breast meat. It can be extracted that the light produced by LED responded similar to the IBL light in influencing nutrient contents of meat. Moreover, LED is not decisive in improving fatty acid composition of meat. However, the role of IBL in reducing n-6:n-3 ratio and enhancing n-3 cannot be neglected. Among LED, WL is helpful in improving essential and nonessential amino acid contents of broiler meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In developing countries, thermal protection of the newborn is not properly addressed. Neonates presented to Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for admission with various problems are frequently found to be hypothermic. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and associated risk factors for neonatal hypothermia on admission to NICU. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study carried over a period of three years at Enam Medical College and Hospital (EMCH) among the newborns admitted to NICU. Hypothermia has been defined as axillary temperature <36.5°C (<97.70 F). Temperature was measured at admission. Data were collected regarding perinatal and socio economic factors. Bivariate and multivariate analysis has been done to see the association of risk factors. Result: A total of 2310 babies between 0 and 680 h of age (mean 43± 12 hours) were studied. Thirty four percent (785) of the neonates had hypothermia. Mean gestation was 34±3 weeks and 42.5% were inborn. Significant determinants of neonatal hypothermia at admission included factors like preterm (p=0.03), low birth weight (p=0.005), normal delivery (p=0.012), birth asphyxia (p=0.001) below average socioeconomic status (p=0.001) and long distance (>10 km) traveled by the neonate (p=0.03). Independent variables are resuscitation at birth [p=.001, Odds Ratio (OR), 2.43; Confidence Interval (CI), 1.47 to 4.00], (p=0.001), age less than 24 hours (p=.02; OR 2.25; CI, 1.13 to 4.47), low birth weight (p=0.03; OR,2.0; CI, 1.06 to 3.82), caesarean section(C/S) delivery (p=.006; OR 1.35; CI, 1.18-2.12) and below average economic status (p=0.001; OR, 2.76; CI, 1.56 to 5.90). Conclusion: Incidence of admission hypothermia among neonates in our NICU was 34%. Independent risk factors are resuscitation at birth, very low birth weight, C/S delivery, age less than 24 hours and poor socio-economic condition. Proper thermal care should be provided for neonates both at home and hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dhaka Zoo with 2000 animal heads of 184 species from significant genetic diversity and five million visitors' influx round the year is placing it a public health important spot. This study was conducted to investigate blastomycosis in animals at Dhaka Zoo to ascertain animal health, welfare and public health safety standard. One hundred and two necropsied tissue samples preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin at necropsy from 36 animals of 25 different species were collected from Dhaka Zoo. Twenty five out of 36 study animals were suffering from granulomatous diseases. Among them three animals were found suffering from blastomycosis. Clinical history, nodular lesions from necropsy findings, granulomatous reactions with fungal spores on histopathology and spherical yeast cells with double contoured wall and broad base budding on special staining were used for the confirmation of blastomycosis in spotted deer (Cervus axis/Axis axis), nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and horse (Equus caballus). Present study provides evidence of existing blastomyosis and similar long standing zoonotic diseases in majority of rest of the animals with health risk that shades health safety standard at Dhaka Zoo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The mentality of individuals consists of schemas that include memories, problem-solving methods, mental and verbal imagery, and is a coherent system consisting of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components. This study was performed aiming at investigating and comparison of correlation between early maladaptive schemas and attachment styles in male and female university students. Method: This study was conducted as a descriptive correlational study on the students of Qom University of Medical Sciences. A total of 120 students (60 males and 60 females), were selected using convenience sampling method. Research tools included Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form and Collins and Read Attachment Styles Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and independent t-test. Results: The participants of both genders obtained the highest score in ambivalent attachment style, whereas there was no difference between the two genders in attachment styles. Insufficient self-control/self-discipline was the only schema that was different between the two genders (p=0.025). There was a significant correlation between ambivalent and avoidant attachment style and all domains of early maladaptive schemas. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between secure attachment style and the strict schema in females. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, there was a significant correlation between insecure attachment style (ambivalent and avoidant) and most of the early maladaptive schemas.