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Background & objectives: Terfezia boudieri (TB) has more than 15 types of proteins, gallic acid, catechins, flavonoids, tannins and other compounds such as beta-carotene and linoleic acid. Some of these compounds have antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemia effects. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the antioxidant and protective effects of this fungus on the liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride.

Methods: 30 male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 5 groups (each group containing 6). Group 1 (normal control group) and group 2 (control CCl₄) were given normal saline for 14 days. Group 3, 4 and 5 received 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/ kg doses of methanol extract of TB for 14 days, respectively before the injection of carbon tetrachloride. In the fourteenth day, all groups except group 1 were given 1.5 ml/kg of carbon tetrachloride (V / V 1: 1 dissolved in olive oil). Group 1, instead of carbon tetrachloride, received 1.5 ml/kg of olive oil on the fourteenth day.

Results: Injection of carbon tetrachloride in rats increased serum activity of ALT, AST, ALP and serum degrees of triglycerides, VLDL, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, glucose, and reduced HDL and total antioxidant capacity (TAC); while pre-treatment with methanol extract of TB significantly reversed the changes.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that methanol extract of TB can protect the liver against oxidants and free radicals produced by carbon tetrachloride metabolism.

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Background & objectives: Irisin is a novel myokine that encoded by FNDC5 gene and effects on obesity, metabolism and glucose homeostasis through browning of white adipose tissue and thermogenesis. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of FNDC5 gene expression and Irisin protein level of visceral fat tissue after eight weeks of resistance training in type 2 diabetic rats.
Methods: Eighteen male Wistar rats (8 week old) were used for this study. Diabetes was induced using nicotinamide and streptozotocin . Five days after inducing diabetes, rats with fasting blood glucose levels between 127-600 mg / dl were selected as diabetic subjects. Rats were homogenized according to the body weight and assigned into two groups including control-diabetes (n=9) and resistance training-diabetes (n=9). Training group exercised resistance training for eight weeks (5 days a week). The resistance training protocol consisted of climbing   a one-meter- high ladder, with a weight attached to a tail sleeve. Quantitative Real time RT-PCR and ELISA Kit were used for assessment of expression level of FNDC5 gene and Irisin protein, respectively. Data were analyzed using independent t- test at p≤0.05.
Results: Resistance training significantly increased the expression level of FNDC5 gene and Irisin protein in visceral adipose tissue in type 2 diabetic rats.
Conclusion: It seems that FNDC5 gene and Irisin protein have an important role in metabolic diseases and can be affected by resistance training. Perhaps the changes in the levels of these metabolic indicators is a potential new target for the treatment of metabolic disorders, such as T2DM (type 2 diabetes).

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Background & objectives: cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality around the whole world. However, there is limited information on its economic costs in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic costs of coronary heart disease in Iran in 2014.
Methods: The diseases costs were calculated based on the incidence approach using a bottom-up method and a community-oriented perspective.   The drug cost information was obtained from angiographed patients (607 cases) in Shahid Modarres Hospital using simple random sampling method. Other information like disease incidence, distribution of patients, treatment patterns, length of stay and mortality rate was gathered from the literature, interview with patients, consultation with specialists, questionnaire, ministry of health and statistical center of Iran.
Results: Coronary heart diseases impose a significant economic burden in the range of 4,715 and 4,908 billion dollars (210,037,860,000,000-201,778,425,000,000 rials) upon Iran economic system. The medical costs and the costs of lost productivity due to premature death were calculated at USD 3.572 billion (152,863,740,000,000 rials) and USD 933 million (39,927,735,000,000 rials) respectively. The major part of medical costs was related to angioplasty costs (47%) and the minor part was related to drug costs (1.15%).
Conclusion: Coronary heart diseases impose a lot of financial costs to Iran healthcare system which cover more than 16% of whole healthcare financial costs. It is possible to streamline all consequential costs due to coronary heart disease by means of economic and effective use of resources and widespread self-care plan.
 

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Background & objectives: To deal with the more and sudden prevalence of   covid-19, dentists should be aware of recent developments, especially the guidelines for the prevention of covid-19. This study aimed to assess of compliance with guidelines about the prevention of covid-19 in the dental setting in Ardabil city in 2022.
Methods: This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was conducted in the period from May to August 2022. In this study, 254 general and specialist dentists were examined using full-census sampling. The tool for collecting information was a researcher-made questionnaire that was valid and reliable based on the country's guidelines, which included 6 demographic and 41 questions related to compliance with the instructions related to the prevention of covid-19. After collecting the data, they were classified and analyzed using the chi-square and Fisher's exact test. SPSS software version 26 was used for data analysis. The acceptable error level was considered 0.05.
Results: The survey results showed that the rate of compliance with guidelines about the prevention of covid-19 in the index of patient management before treatment was estimated at 45%, in the index of required equipment and personal protection requirements were 72.42%, and in the index of required therapeutic action during the pandemic was 42.81%. There was a significant difference in compliance with the guidelines related to the prevention of covid-19 based on education and work history (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in compliance with the guidelines related to the prevention of    covid-19 based on gender, age, marital status, and history of corona infection.
Conclusion: The level of compliance with the guidelines related to the prevention of  covid-19 in the dental centers of Ardabil city was at an average level and was influenced by factors such as the dentist's education and work history.