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Background and Objective: Accumulating evidence indicates a relation between aerobic capacity and glucose concentration, although the molecular mechanisms of this relationship are not fully known yet. This study was done to determine the effect of effect of 12 weeks aerobic exercise training on aerobic capacity and glucose concentration in obese men. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, thirty two adult obese males were divided into interventional and control groups. Anthropometrical indexes, fasting blood glucose and insulin, resting heart rate and aerobic capacity (VO2max) were measured before and after a 12 weeks aerobic exercise in the interventional and control groups. Beta cell function was calculated by fasting glucose and insulin. Results: Long time aerobic exercise led to significant reduction in glucose (112±10 vs. 85±11 mg/dl), anthropometrical indces, BMI (28.44±2.29 vs. 33.24±5.14), increase in VO2max (26.12±4.11 vs. 32±6.41 ml/kg/min), beta cell function (83±23 vs. 181±35) and in interventional group in comparision with controls. A significant correlation was found between the changes in VO2max with changes in beta cell function and glucose level, these correlations were independent of BMI. There was no significant change in insulin level between intervention and control groups. Conclusion: Increased aerobic capacity or cardiovascular fitness by exercise training improve beta cell function of glucose concentration in obese men.

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Background and Objective: Deferoxamin is the current “gold standard” chelator in comparison with new chelators. Combined therapy of Deferiprone and deferoxamin reduces the cardiac iron overload in patients with major talassemia. This study was done to evaluate the effect of defriprone-deferoxamine on heart function in patients with major thalassemia. Methods: In this historical cohort study, 8 patients with major beta thalassemia treated by subcutaneous deferoxamine were randomly selected and LVEF (the rate of blood that exited from heart in each beat) and serum ferritin were measeared. The patients were treated by deferiprone (50-100 mg/kg/day) compained with dferoxamine (30-50 mg/kg as 3 times in a week). In the end of each year, LVEF and serum ferritin of patients were measured. Results: The ferritin level changed from 3243.12 in the first year to 2672.75 mg/kg at the end of third year. The mean of LVEF changed from 71.12% to 64.62 %. The correlation of serum ferritin and LVEF only at the end of third year was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Combined therapy of deferiprone-deferoxamine during 3 years reduces ferritin and LVEF in patients with major thalassemia.

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Background and Objective: Soybean as a cheap protein and without side effects has been introduced to food industry. This study carried out to determine the effect of diet containing soybean on histology and histomorphometry of duodenal villi and serum levels of Calcium, Phosphorus and Glucose in mice.

Methods: In this experimental study, 30 female immature BALB/c mice with 3 weeks of age were randomly allocated into control, and experimental 1 and 2. The control group was fed a diet with complete protein. Animals in the experimental 1 and 2 were received a diet of complete protein with 40% soybean and 20% soybean, respectively. After 3 months the mice were anesthetized and blood samples were taken from the heart for determining serum level of Calcium, Phosphorus and glucose. Duodenum specimens from were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin.

Results: Tissue structure of duodenum in experimental groups in compare to control group was not significantly changed, except for some scant specimens who showed some degrees of destruction in villi apicese. In histomorphometrical evaluation, the thickness of sub - mucosa and musculature were significantly increased in experimental groups compared to the controls group (P<0.05). The height of villi, depth of crypts and serum Glucose level were significantly reduced in experimental groups compared to the controls group (P<0.05), whereas the level of Calcium was significantly increased in experimental with the control group (P<0.05), but the level of Phosphorus did not show any significant changes in experimental groups compared to the controls.

Conclusion: Long term consumption of soybean can induce significant alteration in serum Calcium and glucose level, thickness of sub mucosa and musculature, the height of villi and depth of crypt in duodenum.

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Background and Objective: Postpartum depression has a negative effect on maternal health and adverse effect on psychological development of newborns. Also patterns and personality traits can also be associated with postpartum depression. This study aimed to determine the role of social support and Personality in the incidence of postpartum depression.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 200 mothers referred to health centers by available sampling method between 6 weeks to 6 months after delivery. Data were collected using a Questionnaire Personal Information, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS, 1987), NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI, 1985) and Social Support Questionnaire Philips (1977).
Results: Postpartum depression was observed in 49 (24.5%) of mothers. Neuroticism had the highest relationship with postpartum depression. The correlation coefficient of this variable with postpartum depression was 52% and this variable alone was 27% of the variance. There was a significant negative relationship between postpartum depression and social support (r= -0.027, P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between postpartum depression and neuroticism (r= 0.52, P<0.01).
Conclusion: This study showed that personality traits and social support are two important factors in relation to postpartum depression.

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Background and Objective: With the increase in the spread of COVID-19, mental health consequences such as fear, anxiety, and depression have become prevalent. This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of fear of COVID-19 and quarantine fatigue on depression in congenital heart disease patients during the pandemic.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 105 patients with congenital heart disease (6 men and 99 women) who were referred to Shahid Rajaee Hospitals and Tehran Heart Center during 2021-22. Data were collected using a depression scale, a fear scale for COVID-19, and a quarantine fatigue questionnaire.
Results: The results showed that 28.6% of patients with congenital heart disease experienced mild depression, while 7.6% had severe depression. Quarantine fatigue was found to be mild in 43.8% of patients. Additionally, fear of COVID-19 (r=0.195, P=0.001) and quarantine fatigue (r=0.617, P=0.001) were significantly correlated with depression in congenital heart patients.
Conclusion: Fear of COVID-19 is related to depression caused by coronavirus and quarantine fatigue in patients with congenital heart disease.
 

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One of the main spermatogenesis events is the replacement of histones with small proteins called protamines, which leads to chromatin's condensation in the sperm nucleus and protects it against possible damage. Today, tests such as aniline blue (AB), toluidine blue (TB), and chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining are used based on different characteristics to evaluate sperm chromatin compaction. For the assessment of DNA fragmentation in sperm, several tests such as 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), TUNEL, Comet, sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), sperm chromatic dispersion (SCD), and acridine orange have been introduced that directly and indirectly assay DNA damage. The articles in PubMed and Google Scholar, as well as related books, from 2007 to 2022, were collected and reviewed based on keywords 8-OHdG, TUNEL, Comet, SCD, and acridine orange. So far, many studies have been conducted at the treatment level and on sperm chromatin tests, but the number of cases published so far is limited. Various sperm samples have been used in different studies, with different threshold limits in the tests. The sixth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) book notes that each laboratory has its threshold limit. Therefore, in this review study, common methods of evaluating chromatin packaging and DNA damage are introduced, and the advantages and disadvantages of each test are discussed based on the latest achievements related to infertility.