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In this case-control study, 58 transfusion-dependent Thalassemic patients compared with 46 normal healthy persons on study of their thyroid size & function. In this study, thalassemia patients divided in two groups: Group one 31 patients with (Ferritin<1500) and group two 27 patients with (Ferritin>1500) and 3rd one was named control group (46 healthy persons). These groups were compared to achieve the best possible results and conclusion out of 31 patients. From first group 26 people had normal thyroid function test only 5 patients (16%) had goiter. From 27 patients in second group, 5 people (19%) had normal thyroid and 22 patients had goiter, in 3rd group 29% had normal thyroid, the difference between second and third groups were significant (P<0.01). In second group T4 level were lower than control, instead the TSH level were more than control group. The difference in second and third group were significant. The mean of T3 and T4 in group one and three don’t have significant differences. Conclusion: The goiter incidence and hypothyroidism in major Thalassemia with poor control (Ferritin>1500) are high.

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Diabetes commonly is associated with CAD risk factors, in addition sub-optimal metabolic control of diabetes is associated with increased incidence of thyroid function disorders. In this study patients with diabetes type II who were referred to 5th Azar Hospital in Gorgan were assessed to find out the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and NIDDM in such patients in Gorgan. We studied 210 diabetic patients in hospital outpatient department. The blood pressure, height, weight, serum total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, fasting blood sugar, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were determined. The obesity (BMI>30) were seen in 35% of the subjects. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia were seen in 38 and 65 of our patients respectively. The observed disorders included goiter (30%), sub-clinical hypothyroidism (13%), clinical hypothyroidism (4%), and clinical hyperthyroidism (0.5%). The patients were divided into two groups according to HbA1c: Group 1 with HbA1c<8 and group II with HbA1c?8. A significant difference was observed in TSH serum concentration between group I and II (1.5±1.2 vs. 3.7±11.3 mu/l, P<0.05), whereas the concentration of T4 (10±11 vs. 11±8) and T3 (2.4±3.7 vs. 1.9±3.2) were not significantly different between the two groups. The mean concentration of HbA1c in patients with hypothyroidism was significantly higher than those that of non-hypothyroid subjects (11±2.5 vs. 9±2.5, P<0.005). A significant positive correlation was observed between HbA1c concentration and TSH levels (R=0.2, P<0.01). Our results confirm the association between thyroid dysfunction and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. It has been recommended that the final diagnosis of thyroid function disorder in diabetic patients should be made after optimal metabolic status has been archived.

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Background and Objective: Nowaday many diabetic patients interested in using medicinal herbs to relieve the symptoms of their disease in spite of the availability of synthetic drugs, one of such herbal medicine is green tea, studies about effects of this plant on blood glucose, weight of diabetes is contradict and suitable dosage is not mentioned, thus this study was done to determine the effect of green tea extract on blood glucose and body weight in male induced diabetic Rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 40 wistar male Rats with body weight of 230±20 purchased and kept standard situation subsequently 8 of them considered as normal group and the reminder became diabetic by 50mg/kg IP by streptozotosin. After 2 weeks animals with blood glucose of 200-500 mg/dl were considered as diabetic and divided in 4 groups with 8 animals in each. Then 3 groups of them daily was feed with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of extract by feeding tube for 6 weeks, diabetic control group and non-diabetic group also was feed with DMSO10% as well. BS and body weight were assessed at 2nd, 4th, 6th week after daily feeding by different doses of green tea extract, and at last results were analyzed by using student t-test and one way ANOVA. Results: The mean of blood glucose of diabetic control group were significantly higher than non-diabetic group and blood glucose of diabetic groups that was feed with 50, 100 and 200mg/kg of extract was significantly lower than diabetic control group. Body weight of 3 treatment groups were not significantly reduced. Conclusion: This study showed that green tea extract has an antidiabetic effect and suitable dosage of this extract was 100mg/kg.

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Background and Objective: Malnutrition in hospital increases the mortality of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and related risk factors in hospitalized patients. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 446 patients (217 males, 229 females) during 6 months, admitted to the Taleghani hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2005. Anthropometric measurements and previous admission to hospital in previous 6 months for each patient was recorded. Mild, moderate and severe malnutrition were considered as BMI=18-20 kg/m2 and TSF, or MAMC<10th, or weight loss<5% as BMI=16-18kg/m2 and TSF, or MAMC<5th, or weight loss 5-10% and severe as BMI<16kg/m2 and TSF, or MAMC<5th or weight loss>10% in previous 6 months respectively. Results: The prevalence rate of malnutrition as a general was 52% with following subdivision: 14%, 10% and 28% in mild, moderate and severe, respectively. The highest prevalence of malnutrition observed in gastrointestinal ward, males, those aged 18-29 year and patients with secondary and high school education. In malnourished patients, the prevalence of TSF, MAC and MAMC <5th were significantly more than of well-nourished subjects (P<0.05). Increase BMI per unit decreased the risk of malnutrition by 17% (OR: 0.83 CI: 0.79-0.87). Malnutrition was 64% higher in patients with 1≥ gastrointestinal disturbances, compared with those without it and 2.1 higher in patients with 2≥-hospitalized readmission, compared with subjects without readmission in previous 6 month. Odds ratio of at least one hospitalized admission in previous 6 month was 1.64 in patients with MAC <5th, compared with those with MAC 50-75th (P<0.017). Conclusion: This study showed that Malnutrition upon hospitalization is common in Tehran. BMI, gastrointestinal disturbances, and readmission were associated with malnutrition.

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Background and Objective: Limited studies on the relation between the cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk factors and dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) are available. This study was done to determine the association between glycemic index, glycemic load and cardiovascular risk factors in adults. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 2284 subjects (1327 males, 957 females) with 19-84 age in Tehran, Iran during 2005-08. Dietary GI and GL were assessed using a validated semi quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Blood pressure, Anthropometric, fasting blood of glucose and lipid profiles including total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) as a CVDs risk factors were measured. The mean intake of nutrient, adjusted for energy production, gender, age, according to GI and GL, using general linear model analysis covariance test was measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS-15, one-way analysis variance, Chi-Square, partial correlation and Linear regression. Results: The mean intakes of glycemic index and glycemic load were 68.3 and 244.8, respectively. Dietary GI and GL was inversely associated with whole grain and positively associated with refined grained, fruits, dairy products and simple sugar. After adjustment for lifestyle and dietary variables, dietary GI was inversely associated with triglyceride and HDL cholesterol concentrations among obese subjects. Dietary GL was inversely associated with fasting and 2-h blood glucose among non-obese subjects after adjustment for confounders. Conclusion: GI in obese men associated with serum increase triglyceride and reduced HDL-C. Glycemic load in a non-obese man is correlated with reducing fasting blood glucose.

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Background and Objective: Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the factors affecting dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study was done to determine the association of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance with lipid profiles in type 2 diabetes. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 72 patients with type 2 diabetes in Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran during 2011. Anthropometric indces, fasting serum glucose, serum insulin and lipid profiles were measured and IR index and atherogenic lipid parameters were calculated. The mean of lipid profiles and parameters were compared across the IR tertiles. The association of homeostasis model assessment and insulin resistance in each tertile with lipid profiles was determined. Results: The mean±SD of IR index was 0.9±0.3, 2.1±0.4 and 4.4±1.6 in the 1th, 2th and 3th tertiles, respectively. In the 3th tertile, serum triglyceride and atherogenic lipid parameters were significantly high and serum HDL-C level was non-significantly low than normal reference range. IR index in the 2th and 3th tertiles was significantly related to serum Triglyceride (P<0.05). IR index in level of >2.8, was inversely associated with HDL-C and directly associated with atherogenic lipid parameter. Conclusion: There is association between Insulin resistance with lipid metabolic abnormality in type 2 diabetic patients.

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Background and Objective: Hypertension in long time can cause cardiovascular disorders and increase chance of stroke. This study was done to determine the association between some dietary factors and risk of hypertension. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the fourth phase (2008-11) of Tehran lipid and glucose study (TLGS). In this study 6089 subjects (2807 males and 3282 females), aged 19-70 years, were participated and dietary, demographic, anthropometric and blood pressure of each subject were collected. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated and reliable food frequency questionnaire with 147-items. Odds ratio for hypertension according to quartiles of dietary factors was determined using logistic regression with adjustment for confounder variables. Results: The rate of hypertension was 29.8%. Mean of weight, body mass index, waist circumference, prevalence of abdominal obesity and alliteration in the hypertensive subjects were significantly higher than normotensive subjects (P<0.05). There was a non significant direct relationship between energy density, total fat and saturated fat. Higher consumption of fiber was associated with lower risk of hypertension (OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.37-0.97). The risk of hypertension increased in the highest quartiles of dietary protein (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.02-1.43). Odds ratio for hypertension was higher among subjects whom consumed lower fruits and nuts than those subjects with higher fruits consumption (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.15-1.85) and nuts (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.02-1.42). Conclusion: High consumption of fiber could protect against hypertension while some dietary factors such as high consumption of protein could increase risk of hypertension.

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Background and Objective: Nano-sized particles at scale of 1 to 100 nm, called nanoparticles. In addition, the composition and structure of materials is also one of the factors influencing the material properties. With the advent of nanotechnology and due to increasing antimicrobial properties of nanoscale silver it can also be used in the fight against various human pathogens. This study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles synthesized by green method against the standard strains Escherichia coli k12 and Escherichia coli 25922. Methods: In this descriptive study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Prosopis farcta seed exudates and analyzed by UV visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles was evaluated using broth macro-dilution method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of silver nanoparticles was determined on the standard strains of Escherichia coli k12 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Results: Transmission electron microscopy showed nanoparticles with diameters in the range between 5-35 nm with a maximum frequency range in 20-25 nm. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of bacteria, of E. coli k12 and E. coli 25922 respectively, were 1.56 and 0.39 µg/ml (ppm) and minimum bactericidal concentrations of 3.12 and 0.78 µg/ml wiring (ppm). Conclusion: Biological synthesis using P. farcta seed is a inexpensive, method and require no energy. Due to the strong antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles, can be a suitable alternative for disinfectants, disinfection and control of pathogens.

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Background and Objective: Dietary intake of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin may be associated with reduce the risk of insulin resistance, due to their antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between dietary intake of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin and the risk of insulin resistance in adults.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 938 (421 men and 517 women), aged between 19 to 82 years were selected from among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study in Iran. Dietary intake of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin were determined using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire. Fasting serum glucose and insulin were measured at base line and again after a 3-year of follow up. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the occurrence of insulin resistance across tetiles of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin with adjustment for potential confounding variables.

Results: The mean age of participants was 40.7±12.1 years. β-carotene was inversely associated with insulin resistance after adjustment for confounder variables (95% CI= 0.25–0.72, OR= 0.42, P-value for trend=0.01). Also, an inverse association was found between dietary intake of β-cryptoxanthin and insulin resistance risk (95% CI= 0.30-0.84, OR= 0.51, P-value for trend=0.01).

Conclusion: There was inverse association between dietary intake of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin and risk of insulin resistance in adults.

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Background and Objective: Hemoptysis is defined as the expectoration of blood from the lower respiratory tract. Bronchiolitis, bronchogenic carcinoma, and bronchiectasis are the most common causes of hemoptysis in developed countries, while infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis are the most common cause in endemic countries. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of causes of hemoptysis and some related factors.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 68 patients (37 men and 31 women, average age 56.85±17.27 years) who were referred to the Shahid Sayyad Shirazi Hospital in Gorgan, north of Iran during 2014-16 with the complaint of hemoptysis. Demographic information, cause of hemoptysis and history of illness or drug abuse were extracted from the patients’ records.
Results: Based on the results, 42.6%, 45.6%, and 17.6% of the patients had a history of smoking, drug abuse, and diabetes, respectively. The most frequent causes of hemoptysis were bronchiectasis (25%), pneumonia (20.6%), tuberculosis, and lung cancer (16.4%). Gender was determined as an independent risk factor for hemoptysis (P<0.05). The most common causes of hemoptysis were bronchiectasis, lung cancer and pneumonia in men, and tuberculosis and bronchiectasis in women. Age, drug abuse, smoking, and diabetes had no significant association with the occurrence of hemoptysis.
Conclusion: Bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, and lung cancer are the main causes of hemoptysis, and gender is an independent risk factor for hemoptysis in the study area.
 

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Background and Objective: Alkaline phosphatase, BMP, and GATA proteins are important factors in the process of spermatogenesis. This study aims to investigate the effect of alkaline phosphatase, GATA, and BMP expression on spermatogenic stem cells, embryonic cells, and embryonic stem-like cells (ES-like) in C57BL mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, spermatogonial stem cells were isolated from three heads of 4-week-old C57BL mice, and embryonic stem cells and ES-like cells were prepared. Alkaline phosphatase staining test was performed on spermatogenic stem cells, embryonic cells, and ES-like cells. The expression of BMP and GATA genes was analyzed using Fluidigm PCR. Protein-protein interaction networks were isolated and drawn using databases.
Results: Positive alkaline phosphatase expression in stem cells and negative expression in testicular Sertoli cells indicated the presence of this enzyme in pluripotent cells. The gene expression of BMP and GATA in spermatogonial stem cells (6.3 and 2.7, respectively), embryonic cells (3.2 and 4.4, respectively), and ES-like cells (8.5 and 2.5, respectively) was positive, but not statistically significant. Bioinformatics studies showed the regulatory role of these genes and their direct effect on alkaline phosphatase.
Conclusion: BMP and GATA genes, along with alkaline phosphatase enzymes, play a crucial role in controlling embryonic and spermatogonial stem cells, maintaining their pluripotency, and guiding them towards differentiated cells.
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The visual processing disorder is broadly observed among individuals with autism. This study was conducted to develop an integrated rehabilitation program based on vibroacoustics and virtual reality and to assess its effectiveness on the visual processing of autistic children. This experimental case report was conducted using an Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) design on 5 children with autism referred to Zehnara Rehabilitation Clinic in the second half months of 2021. First, the integrated program was implemented for ten 30-minute sessions on 2 subjects randomly selected from among the samples. After determining the program validity, 3 more subjects were entered into the study. The sensory profile questionnaire-2 was used. The questionnaires were filled out at the baseline stage, at the end of each intervention session, and at the one-month follow-up stage. The visual analysis, the percentage of recovery, the percentage of non-overlapping data (PND), and the percentage of overlapping data (POD) were used for data analysis. The implemented intervention was evaluated to be effective for all five subjects so that for Subjects No. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the PND rates were obtained to be 90%, 90%, 70%, 100%, and 90%, respectively. The results of this study demonstrated that the integrated sensory rehabilitation program could be used to improve the visual processing of children with autism.

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Background and Objective: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had many psychological impacts on the relatives of patients with COVID-19, which can influence their physical health. This study was conducted to determine Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and its link to the physical health of relatives of patients with COVID-19.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 98 relatives of patients with COVID-19 (the case group) with a mean age of 38.56±9.09 years and 98 family members without patients (the control group) with a mean age of 35.79±9.88 years referring to health centers in Gorgan, Iran during 2022. The subjects were selected by a simple random sampling method after extracting the list of patients with COVID-19 from the Health Information Software (NAB) system of health centers. For each selected case, according to the list of families in the NAB system, a family confirmed with a lack of COVID-19 infection was selected as the control group using the simple random sampling method. The data collection tools included the Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale (Y-BOCS) and the patient health questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15).
Results: The mean OCD score in the case group (6.46±5.87) was significantly higher than that in the control group (2.04±3.76) (P<0.05). The mean physical health disorder of the case group (7.60±4.32) was significantly higher than that in the control group (3.43±3.98) (P<0.05). A significant direct linear correlation was found between OCD and physical health in both groups (r=0.39, P<0.001).
Conclusion: The levels of OCD and physical health disorders were significantly higher in family members with a COVID-19 patient than in family members without a COVID-19 patient.