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Background: Today, a host of veterans who were exposed to mustard gas suffer from substantially poor quality of life (QoL). However, factors that influence these patients’ QoL have not been yet scrutinized. QoL is deemed as a crucial construct that demands careful attention during evaluation as well as intervention. The present study aimed to delve into the physical, mental, and social factors that affect the QoL of mustard gas victims. Materials and Methods: All the physical, mental, and social parameters that influence the QoL of mustard gas victims were scrutinized through a systematic review. We searched for Persian and English scientific databases, i.e., PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, and national databanks, namely SID, IranMedex, and Magiran to identify studies related to chemical victims conducted up to the end of 2015. Next, the quality of 21 articles and studies were assessed using the checklist of the National Institute of Health (NIH), and subsequently, 13 articles were selected for the stages of data extraction and analysis. Results: Findings revealed that, among the physical factors, coexistence of several medical conditions caused by chemical injury and the severity of the chemical injury had the greatest impact on the QoL of chemically injured veterans. Besides, suffering from psychological and neurological disorders, along with educational level and employment status, were the most influential psychosocial parameters that influenced veterans’ QoL. Conclusion: The review conducted herein identified the physical and psychosocial factors affecting the QoL of mustard gas victims. In fact, it is the first to present a large collection of descriptive information on QoL contributors in a systematic and orderly fashion.

Objective Sulfur mustard (SM) is a potent mutagenic agent that targets several organs, particularly lung tissue. Changes in morphological structure of the airway system are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary deficiency following exposure to SM. Although numerous studies have demonstrated pathological effects of SM on respiratory organs, unfortunately there is no effective treatment to inhibit further respiratory injuries or induce repair in these patients. Due to the extensive progress and achievements in stem cell therapy, we have aimed to evaluate safety and potential efficacy of systemic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) administration on a SM-exposed patient with chronic lung injuries. Materials and Methods In this clinical trial study, our patient received 100×106cells every 20 days for 4 injections over a 2-month period. After each injection we evaluated the safety, pulmonary function tests (PFT), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT), St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Borg Scale Dyspnea Assessment (BSDA), and 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT). One-way ANOVA test was used in this study which was not significant (P>0.05). Results There were no infusion toxicities or serious adverse events caused by MSC administration. Although there was no significant difference in PFTs, we found a significant improvement for 6MWT, as well as BSDA, SGRQ, and CAT scores after each injection. Conclusion Systemic MSC administration appears to be safe in SM-exposed patients with moderate to severe injuries and provides a basis for subsequent cell therapy investigations in other patients with this disorder (Registration Number: IRCT2015110524890N1).

Background: Planning, organizing, staffing, leading and monitoring are the basic functional component of management. In present article, we aim to define the project monitoring and evaluation in health research system (HRS) considering its success and challenges based on our national experience. Methods: In this study based on the information of annual Medical Science Universities evaluation during the last decade the HRS indicators have been scored in three axes based on HRS functions: Stewardship, capacity building and knowledge production. In this article, we will focus on the results of HRS evaluation from 2002 to 2010, also on its success and challenges. Results: In an overall view, the main results are the experiences of the designing and implantation of such process after pre-project preparation, all parts followed under the whole supervision of the aims of the HRS evaluation. Project management light the way of practical application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques for better HRS evaluation and management. Conclusions: We concluded that; although monitoring and evaluation as an essential part of HRS Management light the improvement ahead way but we still need to advantage of the new project management advances.

Background Studies have shown that Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has positive effect on physical and psychological dimensions of chronic illnesses. In this study for the first time we examine the effect of this new technique on quality of life and pulmonary function in chemically pulmonary injured veterans who have chronic pulmonary problem, psychological problems and low quality of life. Methods Forty male pulmonary injured veterans were randomly replaced in two groups with 20 participants (MBSR and control Wait List (WL)). Then MBSR group received 8-weekly sessions intervention. We evaluate quality of life (used SF-36 questionnaire) and Spirometry parameters two times; before and after intervention in two group. We used “mixed factorial analyses of variance” test for analyzing data in each dependent variables. Then if we have significant interactional effect, we used –paired- sample t-test” for comparing before and after intervention data of each group, and “Independent-Sample t-test” for comparing after intervention data of two groups. Results The MBSR compare to WL group improved SF-36 total score, (F (1, 38) =12.09, P=0.001), “Role limitations due to physical problems”(F(1,38)= 6.92, P=0.01), “Role limitations due to emotional problems”(F(1,38)= 7.75, P=0.008), “Social functioning”(F(1,38)= 9.89, P=0.003), “Mental health”(F(1,38)= 15.93, P=0), “Vitality”(F(1,38)= 40.03, P≤0.001), and “Pain”(F(1,38)= 27.60, P≤0.001). MBSR had no significant effect on “FEV1” (F (1, 38) = 0.03, P=0.85),”FVC” (F (1, 38) = 0.16, P=0.69) and “FEV1/FVC” (F (1, 38) = 2.21, P=0.14). Conclusion MBSR can improve individual’s quality of life but not lung function in chemically pulmonary injured veterans.

Background: Regarding the need for scientific development and achievement our national goals, it is clear that international cooperation has the main role in this way. Here is a report on what we have done during past almost 10 years (2001-2011) in the field of international medical research activities in Deputy Ministry for Research & Technology, Ministry of Health, Iran. Our effort was focused to identify and contact with the prominent scientific centers among the world where could make a connection between our researchers in medical science universities with those centers.

"nBackground: Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is an expanding disease and public health problem in Iran. In the current study, natural Leishmania infection rate and seasonal fluctuation of the infection in Rhombomys opimus population of a hyperendemic focus of ZCL in Iran was investigated."nMethods: The study was conducted from October 2006 to October 2008 in Esfahan Province, central part of Iran. An extensive sampling of rodents using Sherman traps was done in different seasons. Nested PCR assay was used for detection and identification of Leishmania species and the results were confirmed using PCR-RFLP."nResults: Leishmania infection rate was 58.6% (34 of 58) using nested PCR. 44.8% of the gerbils were infected only with L. turanica and 1.7% with L. gerbilli alone. A mixed natural infection with L. major and L. turanica was seen in 12.1% of the rodents. L. major infection alone was not seen in R. opimus population in the study area. The highest and lowest Leishmania infection rates were observed in fall and spring respectively. L. turanica infection was observed throughout the year whereas mixed infections with L. major and L. turanica was not seen in spring."nConclusion: It is concluded that in the study area, L. major, L. gerbilli and L. turanica circulate in the population of R. opimus. Leishmania major infection usually accompanied by L. turanica in naturally infected gerbils with the highest rate in fall. It is recommended that the role of L. turanica in the epidemiology and transmission of ZCL be revisited.

The Iranian Society of Organ Transplantation (ISOT), in an effort to further invest in transplantation-related research, established a scientific link with Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences (BUMS) at the beginning of the year 2006. BUMS instituted a network encom-passing 1) Nephrology and Urology Research Center (NURC), directed by prominent nephro-logists and urologists, 2) Clinical Research Unit (CRU), managed by qualified and competent young researchers, and 3) Medicine and Health Promotion Institute (mhpinstitute.ir ), which is a private research and development institute. Study titles were then extracted in discussion sessions between the NURC and CRU, the latter also being responsible for writing research protocols to be reviewed by the University ethical board for research grants. The CRU has hitherto carried out several research grants based on the following criteria: 1) accommodating the main objectives of the ISOT, i.e. the improvement in survival rates and well-being standards as well as the mini-mization of costs, 2) conducting low-budget yet cutting-edge research, and 3) ensuring publi-cation-worthy study titles. This is a review of the tie between scientists and research and metho-dological assistants, which has already come to realization in the face of financial constraints.

In this study lusiferse gene extracted from Vibrio fischeri. V. fischeri strain was kindly provided by Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST). Genomic DNA extraction was carried out by Phenol-chloroform. A DNA fragment encoding the luxA and LuxB was amplified by PCR using sense and antisense primers, specific restriction sites for BamH1 and Kpn1 were introduced into 5´ end of forward and reverse primer, respectively. The PCR product was purified from agarose gel and ligated into cleaved PT257R cloning vector. Following the confirmation of the cloned Luciferase transformed into E. coli. Recombinant clones were confirmed by specific PCR and restriction enzyme digestion analysis. The luxA and LuxB fragment was released subcloned in to the PcDNA3.1\hug and PcDNA3.1\neo expression vectors, respectively. recombinant plasmid was confirmed through restriction digestion using BamH1 and Kpn1 enzymes and subsequently, transformation procedure continued into NIH3T3 eukaryote cells by specific kit. Luminescence ability of recombinant clones was tested by NIH3T3 cells and dechanal (substrate) and Neomysin and hygromysin. The results showed that luminescence start after 2 hours and then increase after 6 hours. Inaddition, the protein identity was verified by western blot analysis, the protein bands 76 kD were detected which indicates protein expression of luxB, luxA.

Shrimp culture is one of the important fields in aquaculture which supply a part of necessary animal protein needed by the human being. Due to the limited catch of shrimp from the sea, its culture increasingly was considered. Shrimp culture industry was spreading quickly in developed and developing countries. The aim of this study was determine the bionormative parameters of vannamei shrimp culture using Caspian Sea brakish water in Mazandaran province, comparing the growth parameters of vannamei (Litopenaeus vannamei) shrimp culture with Caspian Sea brackish water and saline water of Persian Gulf and also possibility of introduction a new aquatic spciese for rereaing in Mazandaran province. The Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei reared with the brackish water (10±0.43ppt) of the Caspian Sea in Mazandaran province and the Caspian Sea Ecological Research Iinstitute in summer 1391. In this study, post larvae-12 was prepared from Boshehr province. Initially, post larvae in brackish water were gradually adopted. The density of 35 per square pieces in an earthen pond (1000m2) was stocking.The rearing time was 85 days. Average daily growths: 0.31±0.037g; final mean weight: 21.11±0.71; Feed conversion ratio: 0.79 and final yield: 531kg were determined. In addition the experiment of 2012, the results of Mazandaran province vannamei shrimp culture, were observed in 2014 and 2015, the average weight average daily growing and FCR % were 20-18 g and 0.68 - 0.77 respectively during 90 days culture period with harvesting of 40 PL /m2 at cement culture pond. In 2014, average weight, average daily growing and FCR % were 22.6 g and 0.7, respectively during 60 days culture period with harvesting of 18 PL /m2 at earthen pond in Mazandaran province. Then the results of this study, wwere compared with scientific- research reports in field of vannamei shrimp culture from institute and fisheries research centers of south (Bushehr province) and north (Golestan province) of Iran. Important shrimp culture parameters were used in this comparing specially, growth parameters (average weight, average daily growing and survival rate), FCR, final crop, production per hectare and the best harvesting. Therefore, based on initial hypothesis and acquired results, was observred that, vannamie shrimp was reared well using Caspian Sea brakish water in Mazandaran province. In addition, it seems that, vannamei shrimp was gained better results in Mazandaran province compared to two other provinces, because of suitable climate conditions specially water salinity. Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Published

Sulfur mustard (SM, bis- (2-chloroethyl) sulphide) is a chemical warfare agent that causes DNA alkylation, protein modification and membrane damage. SM can trigger several molecular pathways involved in inflammation and oxidative stress, which cause cell necrosis and apoptosis, and loss of cells integrity and function. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is a growing research topic and is addressed by DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and noncoding RNAs expression. It seems SM can induce the epigenetic modifications that are translated into change in gene expression. Classification of epigenetic modifications long after exposure to SM would clarify its mechanism and paves a better strategy for the treatment of SM-affected patients. In this study, we review the key aberrant epigenetic modifications that have important roles in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and compared with mustard lung.

Background The science and technology health plan has defined the outline of health research to the national vision of Iran by 2025. The aim of this study was to focus on the process of needs assessment of health research projects also health research priority setting in Iran. Methods: The project management life cycle has four phases: Initiation, Planning, Execution and Closure. Based on abovementioned points we conducted the study. Results: Focusing on the needs assessment led to systematic implementation of needs assessment of health project in all of the medical sciences universities. Parallel with this achieved strategies health research priority setting was followed through specific process from empowerment to implementation. Conclusion: We should adopt with more systematic progressive methods of health project managements for both our national convenience as well as our international health research programs.

The Common carp is the most important culture fish in the word, that can be consider as domestic fish. The Common carp of Caspian Sea is one of the economic fish, that have some morphenological differences, resistance in salt water and better quality in meet with domestic once and for using this fish in culture system, it is necessary to establish genetically parameters especially the heritability for selection purpose. The present study have been started from 2007 and lasted 3 years. The breeders were collected from the Gomishan station in south-east of Caspian Sea by fisherman and stocked in S.Rajaei fish restocking center and propagate based on the routine propagation technique in this farm. For heritability estimation a factorial crosses by 7×7 fish were done. Therefore, the fingerlings of 49 crosses were achieved, that kept first separately fiberglass tank and then in pond separately. Weight and length of fish were choice for heritability estimation. The average weight of juvenile common carp in 3 sampling stage of 90, 180 and 360 days, were 5.9, 35.7 and 84.7 gram and length of 9.6, 14.7 and 19.2 cm respectively. The heritability estimation for weight was 0.26 and length 0.25. Selection response based on selection difference by collection the more average breeders among their progeny were 36.4 g that means by selection every generation, there is about 4 percent improving in fish weight.