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Medicinal plants are widely used as a complementary therapy to treat complex diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, this study was done to investigate the effect of co-administration of artichoke leaf extract supplement (ALES) with conventional medicines on patients with NAFLD. The clinical trial was based on patients randomly divided into three groups involving metformin-vitamin E (ME), metformin-ALES (MA), and vitamin E-ALES (EA). The effectiveness of treatment in the treated groups was evaluated using liver ultrasonography and biochemical markers. After 12 weeks of treatment, the results showed that the rate of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly reduced within all the study groups (p < .05). Liver ultrasonographic findings revealed that the rate of fat accumulation in liver of patients was decreased significantly within all the study groups and it was increased in the subjects with grade 0 fatty liver (without fat accumulation) in the MA and EA groups by 23.3 and 17.2%, respectively. In summary, the results of the present study showed that the concomitant use of ALES with metformin and vitamin E can have beneficial effects on amelioration of complications in patients with NAFLD. However, larger-scale clinical trial studies are required in this regard.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. The present study investigated the stage of breast cancer screening adoption and the role of some of the cognitive predictors in a sample of Iranian married women. There were a total of 334 married women clients of eight health centers in Kermanshah city, the west of Iran, were randomly selected to participate voluntarily. Women filled out a self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 using One-way ANOVA, χ2-test, Fisher’s exact test, and bivariate correlations statistical tests at 95% significant level. The mean age was 39.75 years [SD: 7.73]. Nearly 58.4%, 26.9%, 3%, 9.6%, and 2.1% of the respondents were reported pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance of breast cancer screening adoption, respectively. There was a significant association between age (P=0.005), and positive family history of breast cancer (P=0.037), perceived susceptibility (P=0.005), perceived severity (P=0.001) and knowledge of symptoms (P=0.018) with breast cancer stage of screening adoption. Our findings can provide better knowledge for the development and implementing of stage-targeted breast cancer screening adoption promotion programs. We conclude that it seems that the focus of health planner should be to rise to perceived severity; perceived susceptibility and knowledge of symptoms of breast cancer about the promotion of breast cancer screening adoption an Iranian woman.

Background: Researchers in the field of drug abuse need standard instruments in order to investigate the underlying factors behind the inclination to use drugs in different groups of society so that they could be able to design preventive interventions based on those instruments. The aim of this study is psychometrics of the questionnaire of the beliefs related to drug abuse among Iranian male medical college students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 425 male students who were randomly selected to participate voluntarily in the study conducted in two medical universities in Iran. The studied constructs included attitude, outcome expectation, outcome expectancies, self-control and subjective norms. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (ver. 21.0) and Amos software (ver. 21.0). Results: All of the loads of the exploratory factorial analysis were larger than 0.4. The calculated Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) value was 0.906. Overall, five factors under investigation accounted for 61.15 per cent of the variance in the hypothesized model. Cronbach’s alpha for the measured constructs including attitude, outcome expectation, outcome expectancies, self-control and subjective norms were 0.92, 0.90, 0.91, 0.81 and 0.73, respectively. Conclusion: The investigated questionnaire is adequately reliable and valid for measurement of the constructs of attitude, outcome expectation, outcome expectancies, self-control and subjective norms for prediction of drug abuse among Iranian male medical college students.

In this research, an environmental friendly, green and efficient sample preparation method using vortex-assisted microextraction based on a deep eutectic solvent (VAME-DES) followed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) was developed for the preconcentration and determination of As(III)/As(V) and total inorganic arsenic in soil and vegetables irrigated with treated municipal wastewater from Tehran and Kermanshah, Iran. In the proposed method, a novel DES, characterized by its low density, was prepared by mixing choline chloride and citric acid monohydrate at a molar ratio of 1 : 1. Under optimal conditions, the proposed method enabled the achievement of a good enrichment factor of 175. The calibration graph was linear in the range of 0.3–100 μg kg−1 and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.10 μg kg−1. The repeatability and reproducibility of the method based on seven replicate measurements of 50 μg kg−1 As(III) in analysed samples were 4.2% and 6.5, respectively. The relative recoveries from soil and vegetables that were spiked with different levels of As(III) and As(V) were 94.2–104.3 and 91.0–107.0%, respectively. The main advantage of the proposed method is the use of a non-toxic and non-volatile DES instead of volatile organic solvents. The accuracy of the proposed procedure was also assessed by the speciation of arsenic in two standard reference materials (GBW10014 cabbage and GBW10015 spinach). The extraction methodology is simple, rapid, cheap and green, since only small amounts of non-toxic solvents are necessary.

This study was designed to determine the ultra-trace amounts of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in various cereals (rice, wheat, barley, peas, beans, corn and lentil) obtained from the markets in Kermanshah city, West Iran. An efficient microextraction method was applied to separation and preconcentration of metal ions. This method is dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop, which overcomes the most important problems of other microextraction techniques. Some effective parameters on extraction were studied and, under optimised conditions, the enhancement factors were 122 and 115 for Cd and Pb, respectively. The calibration graphs were linear in the range of 0.1–50 µg kg−1 with correlation coefficient more than 0.992. The detection limit was 0.05 µg kg−1. The values of intra-day relative standard deviations and inter-day relative standard deviations were in the range of 4.7−5.3% and 6.0−6.8%, respectively. The Pb concentrations in rice and wheat samples ...

Background and Objectives: Giving birth to a child with disabilities is two-three times more likely in consanguineous marriages. Due to the various negative consequences of such marriages, this study aimed to determine the cognitive predictors of consanguineous marriages. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, convenience sampling was applied to select 516 people who visited four different marriage counseling centers in Kohgiluyeh-Boyer Ahmad Province. A self-report questionnaire was administered to collect data. Bivariate correlations and logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the data in SPSS-20. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 23.43 ± 3.96 years (range: 15-30 years). About 43.4% of the participants had married a relative. Regression analysis suggested subjective norms (OR = 1.304) and cultural factors (OR = 1.244) as the best predictors of cousin marriage. Conclusion: Considering the high rate of cousin marriage in the studied population, it is pre-marriage genetic counseling seems essential. Designing educational interventions on subjective norms and cultural factors related to cousin marriage may also be useful in reducing the rates of cousin marriages.

BACKGROUND: Self-immolation is one of the most violent methods of suicide in developing countries. The objective of the present study was to investigate the survival rate and factors affecting survival of self-immolation patients. METHODS: All people either died or hospitalized for intentional burns were assessed in Kermanshah province between 2010 and 2013. Required information was gathered from two sources, Kermanshah province legal medicine and burn center of Imam Khomeini Hospital. Survival function was assessed through Cox regression. The data were analyzed with Stata 12 software. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2013 (three years), 446 people attempted self-immolation, of which 370 were females (83%). In general, 276 people (61.8%) died due to severity of the burns. The median of survival time was 47±5 days. The survival rate after one day, one week, and 21 days after accident was 86%, 52%, and 38%, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that burn was the most powerful risk factor, sothe risk in those with over 70% burns is 17 times more than those with burns less than 30%. CONCLUSION: Burn percentage is the strongest risk factor, those with high burns percentage should be hospitalized quickly and without waste of time. Language: en

Background Fitness is a very important goal among young adults that may lead to eating disorders. Objectives The aim of this study was to identify the factors influencing fitness intention based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and its relationship to eating attitudes. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 231 female college students during the winter of 2012. Participants were randomly selected in proportion to their distribution among the different faculties at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. A structured questionnaire was applied for collecting data and data was analyzed by SPSS version 21 using a T-test, ANOVA, bivariate correlations, and linear regression at a 95% significant level. Results Nearly 21.6% of the participants had abnormal eating attitudes. The TPB variables accounted for 40% of the variation in fitness intention. Bivariate correlations indicated a positive correlation between fitness intention and eating attitude (r = 0.417, P < 0.05). Conclusions Based on our results, it seems that designing and implementing educational programs to reduce positive attitudes and encourage subjective norms toward fitness may be useful for preventing abnormal eating attitudes.

Background: A major issue to consider in high risk behaviors such as substance abuse is personality factors. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the role of personality factors (anxiety sensitivity, sensation seeking, hopelessness, and impulsivity) in substance use, psychotropic drug use, smoking, and alcohol drinking in a sample of male medical students in Iran. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, conducted in Isfahan and Kermanshah Medical Universities in Iran, a total of 425 male medical students were randomly selected with the proportional to size from different faculties to participate voluntarily in the study. A self-report written questionnaire was applied to collect data. Then, the obtained data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 using logistic regression statistical tests at 95% significant level. Results: Our findings showed that hopelessness (OR = 1.095, 95% CI: 1.033, 1.160) and sensation seeking (OR = 1.139, 95% CI: 1.065, 1.219) were the main influential predictors on smoking. Anxiety sensitivity (OR = 1.436, 95% CI: 1.114, 1.851) and impulsively (OR = 1.443, 95% CI: 1.153, 1.806) were the main influential predictors on drug abuse. In addition, anxiety sensitivity (OR = 1.460, 95% CI: 1.004, 2.124) and sensation seeking (OR = 1.756, 95% CI: 1.120, 2.753) were the main influential predictors on psychotropic drug abuse. Finally, sensation seeking (OR = 1.222, 95% CI: 1.121, 1.331) was the main influential predictor on alcohol drinking. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that sensation seeking was the best predictor for alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, and psychotropic drug abuse.

Background Addiction is considered a basic structural problem in modern society, and seems to reach an epidemic scale in the last decades. Choosing a method to fulfill the intervention is an important issue to conduct educational interventions to prevent addictive behaviors. In this regard, web-based education has been widely used to introduce preventive programs to risky behaviors during recent years. Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of web-based education intervention to decrease positive beliefs encouraging drug abuse among male medical college students. Patients and Methods This was a prospective-retrospective intervention study that was conducted among 75 male students in Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran, during 2014. t-test was used for the statistical analysis. Results Our findings indicated that the belief toward drug abuse was significantly reduced after education (P = 0.003). In addition, compared pre and post-intervention scores on survey items showed a significant reduction in enjoyment, improve energy, attraction, higher strength, and higher self-esteem items after education (P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant reduction in excitement, relaxation, improved mental ability and forgetting problems after education (P > 0.05). Conclusions Our findings showed that designing and implementing web-based educational intervention could be effective to reduce the positive beliefs toward drug abuse among college students.

Thalassemia is one of the most common chronic and genetic blood disorders in the world that can followed by several complications, such as mental disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics associated with stress, anxiety and depression among patients with thalassemia major in Kermanshah during 2014. This cross-sectional study done among 64 patients with thalassemia major during 2014; in the participants were randomly selected among patients who referred to Mohammad Kermanshahi hospital in the Kermanshah County to take part in this study. A standard questionnaire (DASS-21) which analyzed stress, anxiety and depression was applied for collecting data and data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 using chi-square statistical tests. The mean age of respondents was 22.31 years [95% CI: 20.42, 24.21], ranged from 14 to 58 years. Findings showed the 60.9%, 59.4 % and 18.8 % of the respondents were suffering from extremely severe anxiety, depression, and stress, respectively. Furthermore, our findings showed marital status and job have significant relationship with anxiety (P

"Kermanshah province in 2013. This study was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on those visiting drug abuse treatment centers in Kermanshah province voluntarily during the year 2013. Using checklist, information was collected from the files of the individuals by trained experts and, if necessary, by asking individuals, physicians or the experts of the center. The analysis was performed using SPSS version16. Overall, 2652 patients’ information (in 80 centers) was studied. The mean age of individuals was 37.98 (±11.18) years and more than 97% of the individuals were male. Opium, tramadol and hashish were the most frequently used substances that were consumed for the first time by the individuals. The mean of years of use for traditional (natural) substances was much more than that for synthetic substances. Proportion of drug use did not differ between men and women. However, the proportion of synthetic materials and non-narcotic substances was significantly different. Based on the results it can be said that that drug abuse is more prevalent among young individuals, educated individuals and those with family history. Since the synthetic drug abuse is increasing, new strategies for prevention of access to these drugs and treatment should be a priority in the related programs."

Backgrounds: Drug abuse is one of the most serious social problems in many countries. College students, particularly at their first year of education, are considered as one of the at risk groups for drug abuse. The present study aimed to determine cognitive factors related to drug abuse among a sample of Iranian male medical college students based on the social cognitive theory (SCT). Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 425 Iranian male medical college students who were randomly selected to participate voluntarily in the study. The participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software (ver. 21.0) using bivariate correlations, logistic and linear regression at 95% significant level. Results: Attitude, outcome expectation, outcome expectancies, subjective norms, and self-control were cognitive factors that accounted for 49% of the variation in the outcome measure of the intention to abuse drugs. Logistic regression showed that attitude (OR=1.062), outcome expectancies (OR=1.115), and subjective norms (OR=1.269) were the most influential predictors for drug abuse. Conclusions: The findings suggest that designing and implementation of educational programs may be useful to increase negative attitude, outcome expectancies, and subjective norms towards drug abuse for college students in order to prevent drug abuse.

Substance abuse is one of the most complicated social problems. Understanding socio-demographic characteristics of those who abuse substances could help deal with this problem more efficiently. The main objective of this study was to determine socio-demographic characteristics associated with alcohol drinking, cigarettes smoking and drug abuse among a sample of male medical university students in Iran.This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 among 425 male medical college students randomly selected with the proportional to size among different faculties in Isfahan and Kermanshah medical universities in Iran. A self-report written questionnaire was applied to collect data. Data were analyzed by the SPSS-20.Mean age of the respondents was 19.9 yr (ranging from 18 to 22 yr). About 19.4%, 3.9%, and 10.1% of the respondents had history of cigarette smoking, drug use, and alcohol drinking during the past three months, respectively. Logistic regression showed that mother's educational level, living place, economic status, and parents' divorce were the most influential predictive factors on substance abuse.Considering the high prevalence of substance abuse (especially smoking and alcohol drinking), it seems essential to design educational interventions to prevent substance abuse, paying attention to predictive factors mentioned above, among college students.

Ritalin misuse can create powerful stimulant effects and serious health risks. The main aim of present study was compared that two cognitive construct (behavioral intention or behavioral willingness) for predicting Ritalin misuse. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 264 Iranian medical college students; participants selected in random sampling, and data were collected by using self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 at 95% significant level. Our findings showed, the three predictor variables of (1) attitude, (2) subjective norms, and (3) prototype accounted for 29% of the variation in intention and 25% of the variation in willingness to Ritalin misuse. In addition, behavioral intention was a stronger prediction factor compared to willingness for Ritalin misuse, with odds ratio estimate of 1.607 [95% CI: 1.167, 2.213]. There is some support to use the prototype willingness model to design interventions to improve individuals’ beliefs that academic goals are achievable without the misuse of Ritalin.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disease with long-term cardiovascular, renal, eye and neural complications. It is prevalent all around the world including Iran its prevalence is increasing. The aim of this study is to determine factors related to self-care behavior based on health belief model among sample of Iranian type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 301 type 2 diabetics patient in Gachsaran, Iran. Data collection was based on an interview and were analyzed by SPSS version 20 using ANOVA, t-tests, Pearson correlation, and linear regression statistical tests at 95% significant level. Linear regression analyses showed that the health belief model variables accounted for 29% of the variation in self-care behavior; and perceived severity and perceived self-efficacy, more influential predictor on self-care behavior.

Article history: Received 17 January 2014 Accepted 22 February 2014 Published 24 February 2014

One of the major treatments for many diseases is organ transplantation. The objective of this study was to determine factors related to register as organ donors among Iranian college student based on the theory of planned behavior. This cross-sectional study was con- ducted on 320 college students in Hamadan University of medical sciences. Participants filled out a standard self-administered ques- tionnaire including the expanded theory of planned behavior components. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 using correlation, linear and logistic regression statistical tests at 95% significant level. Our result showed 6.6% of participants reported registered as an organ donor card. The most of participants have reported save people life most effective factor that motivation them to register as an or- gan donor card. The TPB variable, accounted for 33% of the variation in the outcome measure of the intention to organ donor card regis- tered. The best predictor for organ donor card registered was subjective norm with odds ratio estimate of 1.23 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.44). Comprehensive educational programs need to emphasize on psychological factors that mediate and predict behaviors. According to the results, donor organ associated with subjective norms in community; It seems special attention to importance culture in the organ dona- tion to save human lives utilizes by influence persons at community, could be benefit results.

Cesarean could lead to several side effects for both mother and children; the aim of this study was to determine the factors related to cesarean intention based on the social cognitive theory.In this cross-sectional study, conducted in Kermanshah County, the west of Iran, a total of 304 women’s, was randomly selected to participate voluntarily in the study. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 using correlation as well as linear re-gression at 95% significant level. Mean age of the respondents was 25.91 years (range, 15-40 years). Almost 41.1% of the participants reported who much and very much level of cesarean intention. Our findings showed the social cognitive varia-bles accounted for 67% of the variation in the outcome measure of the cesarean intention. In addition, attitude, outcome ex-pectancies, outcome expectancies, perceived behavior control and subjective norms were stronger factors to predict to ce-sarean intention. Based on our result we suggested designing and implementing education intervention among the women for reduce unnecessary cesarean.

Background:Aggressive behaviorin adolescencecan be expressed asa pre-dictorfor crime, substanceabuse, depression and academic failure.The pur¬pose of this study was to determine the prediction of aggression among Ira¬nian adolescent based on theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, conducted in Yasuj County, south of Iran, during 2011, a total of 256 male adolescents, were randomly enrolled. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 using bivariate correlations, and linear regression statisti¬cal tests at 95% signifi¬cant level.Result:The three predictor variables of 1) attitude, 2) subjective norms, and 3) perceived behavioral control, accounted for 40% of the variation in the outcome measure of the aggression intention. Besides, intention accounted for 15% of the variation in the outcome measure of the aggression behavior. There was a sig¬nificant correlation between drug abuse and alcohol con¬sumption, have friend drug user, unprotect sex and parents divorced with aggression (P< 0.05). Conclusions: Designing intervention to reduction positive attitude and sub-jective norms toward aggressive behavior among adolescents could be use-fulness result to aggression prevention., Health Promotion Perspectives; EISSN 2228-6497

6556 Background: Arsenic trioxide has been used in the first line treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia and also for recurrence after ATRA and chemotherapy. In this study, it we used it in induction of remission and maintenance therapy Methods: Between November 2005 to December 2011, 42 patients admitted in our department with APL diagnosis. There were 27 male and 15 women with a median age of 28 years. Arsenic trioxide started at 0.15 mg/kg intravenous infusion till patient’s bone marrows achieve to complete remission. Then, after 28 days rest, we did consolidation with Arsenic trioxide with the same dosage for 28 more days. We continued treatment with 14 days courses of Arsenic trioxide every 3-4 months for 2 years, as maintenance therapy Results: Four patients died during the first 20 days of treatment. Thirty-eight patients achieved to remission. Two patients refused to continue treatment after achieving to remission and excluded from this study. Thirty-six patients finished whole treatment. After a median follow-up of 54 months, 4 patients died due to disease relapse and one patient relapsed and initiated treatment with Arsenic and ATRA. Five patients faced leukocytosis over 100,000/ml. In these cases we were obligated to discontinue Arsenic for 3-4 days and did chemotherapy by Danourobicin for 2 days. Totally 8 patients died during remission induction and long-term follow up. One year, 3 and 5 years RFS were 97%, 87.1% and 79.4 respectively and we didn’t observe any relapse for patients who remained in remission after 5 years. Finally, 31 patients are alive and free of disease. The overall survival was 79.5% for our cohort. Conclusions: Arsenic trioxide is an effective treatment as the first line therapy for new cases of APL and long term therapy with will reduce the risk of diseases recurrence without any major toxicity in long time.