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Background and Objective: Many factors are known to be involved in a number of human pathologies of obesity including serum leptin and thyroid hormones levels. The purpose of this study was to compare the serum levels of leptin and thyroid hormones in obese and non-obese women, in Shiraz-Iran during 2006. Materials and Methods: In this case- control study, 35 women with BMI≥30 Kg/m2 recruited as an obese group (Case group) and 35 women with healthy BMI (BMI<25 Kg/m2) were selected as a control group. General information data were gathered from each sample using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured and BMI, WHR and percent of body fat (%TBF) were calculated for each subject. Venous blood samples were drawn from subjects and serum was separated to determine the concentrations of serum leptin and thyroid hormones (T4, T3 and TSH) levels. Results: Mean serum concentration of leptin was significantly higher in obese group than control group (p<0.001). Serum leptin levels positively correlated to anthropometric indices (BMI, WHR, %TBF). No significant difference was observed between obese and non-obese groups in serum thyroid hormones concentration. Serum leptin levels positively related to serum T3 levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that obese women had higher leptin levels compared to non-obese. The interaction between thyroid hormone in particular T3 and leptin can be one of the reason for increasing the serum leptin level among obse women.

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Background and Objective: Domestic violence is the most common against women with negative effect on mother’s health, family, children and society. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of domestic violence against women in Bandar Abbas, Iran. Methods: This descriptive cross - sectional study was conducted on 500 women referred to Shahid Mohammadi hospital in Bandar Abbas, Southern Iran. Violence and physical injuries were recorded for each woman using a questionnaire. Results: Domestic violence was reported in 460 (92 %) women. The mean age of women was 33.80±8.64 years. The mean years of marriage were 10.53±7.83 years. 389 (77.8%), 102 (20.4%) and 9 (1.8%) of women were housewive, employee and self employee, respectively. 14 (2.8%) women had addiction background. The most common type of violence against women was psychological (54%), followed by verbal (31%), physical (24.8%) and sexual (6.8%). Level of education and addiction in the families were the main factors in domestic violence. Conclusion: Psychological violence is the most common type of domestic violence and it is related to the level of education and addiction in the families.

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Background and Objective: MIRU-VNTR typing is currently one of the most frequently-used standardized genotyping systems in molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis in the world. This sudy was done to determine the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotyping by MIRU-VNTR method. Methods: This descriptive study was done on sputum, gastric lavage clinical specimens of 53 tuberculosis suspected patients. Fifty-three isolates were identified by 16S rRNA and Rv-typing followed by RD typing. They were then subjected to a 12-locus (ETRA, ETRB, ETRC, ETRD, ETRE and ETRF, MIRU-10, MIRU-26, MIRU-39, MIRU-30 plus QUB-11b) MIRU-VNTR typing system. Results: In MIRU-VNTR typing, forty-four types were identified with 13 isolates classified in 4 clustered and the remaining 40 isolates representing 40 orphan patterns. In comparative analysis of MIRU-VNTR loci, MIRU-26 with 7 alleles displayed the highest diversity level (Simpson’s diversity index = 0.767. Out of the 53 isolates, only one was identified as Mycobacterium bovis. All the remaining isolates were characterized as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. None of the samples was affected to Mycobacterium complex strain. No evidence of either double or co-infection of the patients with more than one species/strain was detected. Conclusion: While the genomic diversity observed by MIRU-VNTR typing sounds extensive, the population genomic structure on the whole however, seems to be homogenous. Recent transmission between studied patients does not appear to be a frequent event as only 13 isolates representing 4 MIRU-VNTR types, were assumingly epidemic.

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Background and Objective: Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria, is one of the most important factor in causing of respiratory infections. Serological and molecular detection methods have their own limitation. Due to this limitation, the application of these methods in all diagnostic laboratories is not possible. Therefore this study was done to determine the rapid detection of Mycoplasma pneumonia by loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Methods: In this descriptive laboratory study, nasopharynx samples were collected from 92 patients with atypical pneumonia. DNA sample were extracted by boiling method. Six specific primer pairs were designed for LAMP technique by primer explorer ver 4 software. LAMP product identified by adding SYBR Green. Limit of detection and specificity tests have been done for optimizing LAMP test and optimized test carry out for each sample. Results: The LAMP test was optimized using the large Bst enzyme fragment at 66 degree temperature for 1 hour. The detection limit of the test obtained 1 CFU and the DNA replication does not observed in non of the examined pathogenic factors. Out of 92 clinical samples using LAMP technique, 73 cases were negative (80%) and 19 cases were positive (20%). Conclusion: The loop-mediated isothermal amplification technique is simple, convenient and available method for detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

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Background and Objective: Iran remains a major stronghold for glanders in the Middle East. In Iran, the non-indigenous Burkholderia mallei Razi 325 strain is used in manufacturing of the mallein, required for malleination of animals. Multi Locus Variable number tandem repeat analysis is currently the standard globally accepted genotyping system for Burkholderia mallei. This study was done to survey the genomic structure of Burkholderia mallei Razi 325, the strain used for industrial production of Mallein.

Methods: In this descriptive study, a MLVA genotyping system with 4 previously-characterized loci VNTR140, VNTR1367, VNTR2065, VNTR2971 along with two new loci of VNTR24, VNTR41 was used.

Results: Optimization of PCRs resulted in a single protocol that enabled simultaneous amplification of all the six loci. Sequencing of PCR products revealed there were 2, 3, 12, 6, 1 and 2 copies of the unit repeat hold in the genome of the Burkholderia mallei Razi 325 strain. This observation was extended to include the already-whole genome sequenced Chinese Burkholderia mallei ATCC 23344 and Burkholderia mallei BMQ and also Burkholderia mallei SAVP1 strains.

Conclusion: The Burkholderia mallei Razi 325 strain is distinguishable from the other three strains through MLVA genotyping method.

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Background and Objective: Candida species are the second most common cause of vaginitis in worldwide after bacterial agents. This study was performed to determine the etiological factors of Candida vulvovaginitis in pregnant women.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study, was performed on 100 pregnant women with vaginal discomfort that referring to gynecologic and obstetric clinics of the Sanandaj Social Security Hospital, Kurdistan province, Iran during 2016. After obtaining informed consent and collecting background information using a questionnaire, the patients were examined by a specialist physician and samples were collected. Identification of isolates was done based on colony color and also using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.
Results: Candida vulvovaginitis was seen in 29% of women. Candida albicans were the most common cause of the disease (86.2%) followed by Candida paraposilosis (10.43%) and Candida glabrat (45.3%) . There was no significant relationship between diabetes and candida vulvovaginitis. There was a significant relationship between the history of antibiotic usage, age over 35 and third trimester of pregnancy with Candida vulvaginitis (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The prevalence of Candida vulvovaginal candidiasis was 29% and Candida Albicans was the most common cause of the disease.

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Background and Objective: Type II diabetes is a major globle health problem that can lead to disability and early death. This study was performed to evaluate the association of TCF7L2 (rs7903146) polymorphism with type II diabetes.
Methods: This case - control study was done on 100 patients with type II diabetes and 100 healthy subjects. Following DNA extraction, TCF7L2 (rs7903146) genotype was determined and compared between two groups by Tetra-Arms PCR method.
Results: The frequency of CT genotype was 25% and 56% in healthy subjects and patients, respectively (P<0.05). The frequency of TT genotype was 2% and 6% in control and patient groups, respectively. In the co-dominant model, rs7903146 was dependent on type II diabetes.
Conclusion: Human heterozygote for Lucos TCF7L2 (rs7903146), which contains T alleles, are high risk for developing diabetes mellitus.

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Background and Objective: Obesity plays an important role in the development of chronic diseases including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study was conducted to evaluate the association of the age of onset of obesity with resting metabolic rate (RMR) in overweight and obese women during adulthood.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 295 overweight and obese women aged 18-50 years in Tehran, Iran. The anthropometric measurements of all participants were measured. Dietary intake and total daily energy intake were assessed by using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) which the list including 147 food items. Resting metabolic rate was measured by indirect calorimetric method. In order to measure the physical activity International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used. The questionnaire includes 7 items to assess the intensity of activities by the vigorous, medium, and light for at least 10 minutes during the last week.
Results: There was a significant difference between those whose age of onset of obesity was under 18 or over 18, in RMR per body weight (kg) (Beta: 0.16, CI: 0.11 to 0.00, P: 0.03). In addition, it was seen a significant inverse correlation between age of onset of obesity and body weight (Beta: -0.11, CI: -0.30 to 0.00, P: 0.005) and adipose tissue content (Beta: -0.13,
CI: -0.23 to -0.01, P: 0.02). After adjustment for confounders including (age, physical activities, and energy intake), the correlations still remain significant.
Conclusion: Age of onset of obesity was associated with increased weight and fat and decreased resting metabolic rate in adulthood. In fact, people with lower obesity age have higher body weight and fat and lower RMR.

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The rise in patients seeking corneal refractive surgery, despite having systemic autoimmune diseases, underscores the need for special considerations when treating these individuals. Recent studies have expanded our knowledge in identifying and evaluating autoimmune disorders and their potential side effects in the results of corneal refractive surgery with laser. This study briefly examines the pathogenic factors, clinical aspects, and possible complications in patients with systemic autoimmune disorders subjected to these surgeries. In total, 132 articles were selected for this research among the reviewed studies. Considering that the release of various cytokines caused by systemic autoimmune disorders can lead to destructive corneal consequences, the need for early diagnosis before any laser surgery for refractive errors seems essential. Although procedures such as LASIK and PRK are commonly performed on patients with autoimmune disorders, important considerations must be made. Studies have not yet confirmed definitive contraindications to laser refractive surgery for autoimmune disorders.