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Background & objectives: The growing numbers of cosmetic treatments, especially Botox in recent years, and the limited researches on the mental characteristics of those applying for this type of cosmetic surgery, have necessitated more attention to this matter. The aim of this study was to compare appearance schema and emotional processing in applicants and non-applicants of botox injection.
Methods: the present work was cross-sectional (causal-comparative) study. The statistical population of the study consisted of all individuals referring to beauty clinics (dermatology, hair, beauty) in Ardabil, second half of 1396. Among them, 60 subjects (30 applicants and 30 non-applicants for Botox cosmetic) were selected through convenience sampling procedure. Furthermore, Appearance Schema Inventory (ASI) and Baker et al’s Emotional Processing Questionnaire were used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).
Results: The results showed a significant difference between the mean of appearance schema and emotional processing in applicants and non- applicants (p<0.01). The amount of visual schema (self-assessment and self-motivation) and emotional processing was high in the Botox group (p<0.01) and non-Botox group (p<0.01) respectively.
Conclusion: results indicated that Botox and beauty enthusiasts had high appearance schemas and low emotional processing. These people in compared to non-applicants were more likely to experience difficulties.
 

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Background & objectives: This study was conducted to compare the basic psychological needs and different levels of Theory of mind between mothers of oppositional defiant disorder and hyperactivity / attention deficit disorder children
Methods: The statistical population of the study included all mothers of childern with oppositional defiant disorder and hyperactivity/attention deficit disorder in psychiatric clinics of Fatemi hospital of Ardabil in 1396-1397. These mothers were randomly assigned in to two groups (35 people in group ODD & 35 people in group ADHD). The instruments used in this study were: Theory of mind, basic psychological needs and Children's Symptoms Questionnaire (CSI-4 Parent Form). The collected data were entered into SPSS-21 software and analyzed by data analysis method. Multivariate variance (MANOVA) was used.
Results: The results of the analysis of variance finding show that is no significant difference between mental theory (p>0.407, F=0.697) of basic psychological needs such as competency (p>0.336, F=0.393) self-determination (p>0.597, F=0.283) and communication (p>03.387, F=0.760) between two groups of mothers of children with oppositional defiant disorder and hyperactivity disorder/attention deficit.
Conclusion: These results show that the importance of paying attention to the basic psychological needs and the theory of the minds of mothers of these children in improving the educational status of social communication and emotional assessments and cognitive development of the child.
 

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Background & objectives: Pentavalent antimonials are the first-line drugs for treatment of leishmaniasis, which have multiple side effects such as drug toxicity. Moreover, parasite resistance to these drugs is rising around the world. Second-line drugs, including Amphotericin B and pantamidine have also side effects and expensive for patients. According to the cytotoxic effects of paraquat, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of paraquat on Leishmania major promastigotes and HUVECs viability.
Methods: A number of 2.5×10⁶ of Leishmania major promastigotes were treated in each well of 96 well plates with different concentrations of paraquat. Cells were incubated for 48 hours in 24 °C. MTT test was performed for evaluating paraquat impact on promastigotes. The absorbance was measured using a microplate reader at 570 nm.  The trypan blue staining assay was performed to evaluate the number of viable Leishmania major promastigotes following paraquat treatment. Furthermore, the effect of paraquat concentrations on HUVECs viability was evaluated under the cell culture condition.
Results: The results of the MTT test showed that increasing concentrations of paraquat could significantly reduce the viability and the number of Leishmania major promastigotes in comparison to control group (p<0.05). In this study, the IC₅₀ for Leishmania major promastigotes was calculated as 272.46 µg/ml. Trypan blue results were in line with the finding of MTT assay. Moreover, we found that HUVECs were susceptible to paraquat (IC₅₀=188.99 µg/ml).
Conclusion: Paraquat has a strong inhibitory effect on Leishmania major promastigotes and human endothelial cells. Although more comprehensive studies on the effects of the topical use of paraquat on Leishmania major lesions in animal model and its side effects are necessary.

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Background & objectives: Local systemic filling pressure measurement can be used to determine other hemodynamic parameters such as venous return and the stressed volume. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between local systemic filling pressures and central venous pressure.
Methods: In this study, candidate patients of cardiac surgery in Imam Khomeini hospital of Ardabil, in the first half of the 1397, were chosen and studied by their satisfaction, then an intra-arterial catheter inserted to the upper limb, a tourniquet closed to the same arm.  The arterial pressure measured during the surgery. Central vein pressure was also measured simultaneously. Finally, other variables obtained from transesophageal echocardiography and demographic data were recorded in each patient's checklist.
Results: 43 patients (71.7%) were man and 17 (28.3%) were women. The Mean CVP, MSFP, CO, and CI were 8.3±4.5 mmHg, 17.0±6.1, 3.27±1.1, and 1.89±0.7, respectively. Ten patients (16.7%) had mild heart failure, 42 patients (70%) had a moderate heart failure and 8 patients (13.3%) had severe heart failure. There were positive and significant relationship between CVP and MSFP (r=0.478: p=0.001). The EF status has no significant effects on CVP with SBP, DBP, MAP, CO and CI. There was significant and reverse correlation between PSF value with CO, and CI in severe heart failure (p<0.05).
Conclusion: we concluded that the local MSFP is a good and valuable substitute for CVP measurement, especially in severe heart failure

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Background & objectives: Impaired immune system provides favorable conditions for colonization by Acanthamoeba in the human body. In this case control study, we compared the molecular and culture methods in identifying Acanthamoeba in the nasal and oral secretions of HIV⁺/HIV^­ human.
Methods: In a current case control study, nasal and oral discharge of 53, HIV⁺ patients and 53, HIV^­ people were evaluated. The nasal and oral secretions of each patient were prepared by sterile swabs and transferred to the laboratory. All samples were cultured but only the positive samples used for molecular analysis.
Results: By cultivation method, of the 53, HIV⁺ patients, a total of 11 samples, including 5 nasal and 6 oral samples, were contaminated with Acanthamoeba. Of the 53, HIV­­ people, 3 samples of nasal discharge were contaminated with this parasite. The molecular method approved the contamination of 10 samples, including 5 oral and 5 nasal samples from HIV⁺ patients with this parasite. Statistical analysis showed the rate of infection in HIV⁺ patients was significantly different compared to HIV^­ people
Conclusion: The results of the current study showed that the rate of Acanthamoeba infection in HIV⁺ patients was higher than that of HIV^- individuals. Also, considering that in the control group (HIV- individuals) only the nasal discharge were infected with the parasite, it seems that in the case group (HIV + patients) the infection of the oral discharge with the parasites is due to the  entry of its cysts into the nose and transmission to the mouth

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Background & objectives: The present study investigated the effects of royal jelly on lead acetate induced toxicity on sperm parameters, reproductive hormone assay, and bak gene expression in NMRI male mice.
Methods: In this study, fifty four male mice were randomly divided into nine groups: control group (without royal jelly) (n=6); sham group(10 ml normal saline) (n=6); lead group (1000 ppm, oral) (n=6); Group 4: royal jelly (100 mg/kg/day, oral) (n=6); Group 5: royal jelly (250 mg/kg/day, oral)(n=6); Group 6: royal jelly (500 mg/kg/day, oral)(n=6); Group 7: royal jelly (100 mg/kg/day, oral) + 1000 ppm lead (n=6); Group 8: royal jelly (250 mg/kg/day, oral) + 1000 ppm lead (n=6) and Group 9: royal jelly (500 mg/kg/day, oral) + 1000 ppm lead (n=6). On day 35, blood samples were collected from anaesthetized mice by cardiac puncture to assess reproductive hormones and the testes were harvested for determination of sperm parameters and expression bak gene. Sperm parameters including motility, viability, DNA damage, morphology and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were determined.
Results: The results showed that administration of royal jelly significantly enhanced sperm parameters and all reproductive hormone levels compared to control mice, (p<0.05). Also, treatment with lead acetate caused a significant reduction in levels of all reproductive hormones and a significant diminution in sperm motility, morphology, viability; with an increase in percentage of dead spermatocytes (p<0.05). The co-administration of the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day royal jelly with lead acetate could ameliorate the deleterious effects of lead acetate resulting in a significant increase in sperm parameters and all reproductive hormones and increase the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (p<0.05). Also, the expression of bak gene in all treated (sham, royal jelly groups) and control groups was significantly lower than the lead acetate group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings suggest that the royal jelly has a beneficial effect on male reproductive parameters following lead acetate induced toxicity in mice.

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Background & objectives: Research on intelligent nanomaterials that accelerate the process of nerve regeneration and treatment by different methods such as antioxidant effects, stimulation of nerve cell proliferation, modulation of the immune system and inflammatory factors is great importance. The aim of this study was to prepare cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles and evaluate its antioxidant and cytotoxicity effects on PC12 cell line.
Methods: Cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles were prepared and their structural properties were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). To evaluate the antioxidant properties of the compounds, free radical trapping methods 2 and 2 diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl were used. Cell viability in the presence of compounds was measured by a toxicity test (MTT) [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide]. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test.
Results: FTIR spectra and TEM images showed the processing of nanoparticles with an average size of less than 100 nm with cinnamon coating on their surface. Also, the antioxidant capacity of cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles was significantly higher (*p<0.038) than extracts and nanoparticles alone at similar concentrations. Evaluation the results of cytotoxicity showed that the lowest toxicity was observed in the cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles group.
Conclusion: Results showed higher antioxidant properties and low cytotoxic effects of cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles compared to other groups, which leads to better efficacy, proliferation, longer cell survival, its green synthesis and coverage by cinnamon

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Background & objectives: Carbapenems are the main antibiotics for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of gene encoding outer membrane porin protein (OprD) in carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains as well as to assess the role of insertion sequence (IS) elements in the inactivation of OprD porin and the emergence of carbapenem resistance.
Methods: In this study, 103 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa including 58, 42 and 23 strains resistant to imipenem, meropenem, and doripenem were used, respectively. The isolates were collected from patients referred to Ardabil hospitals. The presence of oprD gene and IS elements were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing methods. P. aeruginosa PAO1 standard isolate was used as the positive control strain for oprD gene.
Results: The frequency of oprD gene among carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains isolated from Ardabil hospitals was 96.5%. Furthermore, IS elements were not observed in the investigated isolates.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the presence of IS elements did not involve in the inactivation of outer membrane porin OprD and resistance to carbapenems among P. aeruginosa clinical strains in Ardabil. Therefore, an investigation of the role of other mutations in reducing the expression of oprD gene and increasing P. aeruginosa resistance to carbapenems is recommended.
 

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Background & Objectives: Cold Plasma is an emerging non-thermal, chemical-free, environmentally friendly disinfection technology. Plasma-activated water has received considerable attention from researchers in recent years. Despite extensive studies on the antibacterial effects of plasma-activated water, its anti-eukaryotic effects have not been identified. In humans, Acanthamoeba causes granulomatous encephalitis, skin ulcers, and Acanthamoeba keratitis. Considering the health importance of Acanthamoeba, this study investigated the anti-amoeba  effect of plasma-activated water on trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba castellanii.
Methods: In this study, plasma-activated water prepared by the cold atmospheric plasma method.Physicochemical properties of produced water were evaluated by measuring pH, hydrogen peroxide, nitrite, and nitrate. To assess the effect of plasma-activated water on A. castellanii, trophozoites and cysts were exposed to plasma-activated water for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 hours. Three replicates were examined each time. At the mentioned times, cell viability was calculated by trypan-blue staining and counting on a hemocytometer, and the results were statistically analyzed.
Results: Based on the physicochemical results, the mean pH of plasma-activated water in this study was about 3.4, and the amount of hydrogen peroxide, nitrate, and nitrite were 102, 737, and 36.94 μM, respectively. The present study showed that plasma-activated water killed A. castellanii trophozoites after three hours of exposure and A. castellanii cysts after four hours of exposure. On the other hand, some trophozoites gradually became cysts after exposure to plasma-activated water. These cysts became more resistant to plasma-activated water and inactivated after five hours of exposure.
Conclusion: In this study, for the first time, the effect of plasma-activated water on A. castellanii was investigated. The results of the present study showed that plasma-activated water is able to inactivate A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts. Therefore, plasma-activated water can be used to disinfect and inactivate A. castellanii.

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Background & objectives: Stroke is one of the most common causes of death worldwide and has distinctive features. Moreover, the different types of strokes are characterized by different physiopathological mechanisms. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the serum levels of ATG5 and apo B-48 and their diagnostic value in patients with ischemic stroke.
Methods: We selected 100 participants, including 50 ischemic stroke patients (22 women and 28 men) as the case group and 50 healthy individuals (23 women and 27 men) as the control group. Then, we conducted a case-control study in Imam Reza Hospital (Tabriz, Iran) from March 2016 to April 2016. Serum levels of ATG 5 and Apo B-48 were measured in both groups. We also evaluated the additional diagnostic value of these factors in both groups using receptor-related power analysis (ROC).
Results: The mean serum levels of ATG 5 and apo B-48 were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (p<0.0001). The values under the ROC curve (AUC) for ATG5 and apo B-48 were 0.96 and 0.91, respectively. The area under the ROC curve indicates that ATG 5 and apo B 48 are appropriate biomarkers for diagnosing ischemic stroke.
Conclusion: Serum levels of ATG 5 and apo B -48 are significantly higher in patients with ischemic stroke than in healthy individuals and may be considered diagnostic biomarkers in patients with ischemic stroke.

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Background & objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly, threatening their quality of life. On the other hand, regular exercise is associated with improved brain health and cognitive function. However, the mechanisms of these benefits have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 4 weeks of moderate intensity interval aerobic training on cognitive function and expression level of PGC1α and VEGF genes in the hippocampus of old rats with AD.
Methods: For this purpose, 20-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into three groups of AD (n=8), AD+exercise training (n=8) and control (n=8). Intra-hippocampal injection of Aβ₄₂ was used to induce AD. The animals in the exercise group performed moderate-intensity interval aerobic exercise for 4 weeks, 5 days a week. To assess spatial learning and memory, the animals underwent the Morris water maze test 48 hours following the last training session. Then, the animals were killed and hippocampal tissue was extracted. Real time-PCR method was used to measure gene expression. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficient at the significance level of p£0.05.
Results: The results showed that Aβ₄₂ injection impaired spatial learning and memory function and reduced the expression level of PGC1α and VEGF genes in hippocampal tissue (p£0.05). Aerobic exercise improved spatial learning and memory function and increased PGC1α and VEGF genes expression (p£0.01). Also, a significant positive relationship was observed between the PGC1α and VEGF gene expression levels in the hippocampus (r= 0.859, p≤0.01). In addition, there was a significant inverse relationship between PGC1α and VEGF genes expression and the mean time spent to find the platform (r= -0.9, p£0.01 and r= -0.750, p£0.01, respectively), and a significant positive relationship with the time spent in the target quadrant (r= -0.794, p£0.01 and r= -0.632, p£0.01, respectively).
Conclusion: In general, aerobic training improves spatial learning and memory performance in old animals with AD; up-regulation of the exercise-induced PGC1α/VEGF pathway in the brain, at least in part, appears to be involved in this adaptation.

 

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Background & objectives: Menopause and especially acute menopause due to surgery is associated with many complications in women. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of genistein and regular swimming exercise (alone/or in combination) on pain through a possible mechanism of inflammation and oxidative stress in ovariectomized rats.
Methods: In this study, rats were divided into six groups, including: control, sham, ovariectomy (OVX), ovariectomized with eight weeks of swimming exercise training (OVX.E), ovariectomized with eight weeks of genistein administration (OVX.G), and ovariectomized with eight weeks of combined treatment (OVX.G.E). The effects of genistein and/or exercise were evaluated by examining the pain intensity with tail-flick and formalin tests. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were also evaluated by ELISA and spectrophotometer.
Results: In the OVX group compared to the control group, tail-flick and formalin tests showed an increase in pain response. Also, a significant increase in the serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, MDA, TOS and a decrease in TAC was observed in the OVX group, however, in the OVX.E, OVX.G and especially OVX.E.G groups, pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress as well as pain responses showed a significant decrease compared to the OVX group.
Conclusion: A combination of genistein and regular swimming exercise was synergistically more effective in reducing acute and chronic pain than using them alone in the postmenopausal period.
 

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Background & objectives: Evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential for immune cell differentiation and function. In addition, miRNAs play an essential role in regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in neurons. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between miRNA expression and inflammatory markers in the CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis.
Methods: RT-PCR analysis was performed on CSF samples from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and a control group to measure the expression level of miRNA-21, miRNA-155, miRNA-182, and miRNA-437. In addition, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in CSF were measured using ELISA. A quantitative turbidimetric method was also used to measure high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).
Results: A significant difference was found in the expression level of miRNAs and inflammatory factors in the CSF of patients with MS compared with the control group (p<0.05). The results of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed the area under the curve for miRNA-21 (AUC=0.97, p<0.0001), miRNA-182 (AUC=0.97, p<0.0001), and miRNA-155 (AUC=0.96, p<0.0001). The miRNA-155 level in CSF played a very important role in the accurate diagnosis of MS. Significant correlations were found between inflammatory cytokines and miRNA-21, miRNA-155, and miRNA-182, as well as an indirect and moderate correlation between miRNA-437 and hs-CRP.
Conclusion: In MS patients, CSF levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP, and selected miRNAs can be used as biomarkers of CNS inflammation and neurodegenerative processes.
 

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Background & objectives: Adipolin is one of the anti-inflammatory adipocytokines that is mainly synthesized and secreted in adipose tissue. This study aimed to compare the two types of Pilates and CX exercises on adipolin level and insulin resistance in overweight women.
Methods: In this semi-experimental research, 30 overweight female subjects (age range 20-40, BMI, 25-30 kg/m2) were divided into three groups of Pilates (10 people), CX (10 people) and control (10 people) .The Pilates group trained with an intensity of 50-80% of the maximum heart rate (8 weeks, three sessions per week, for 60 minutes) and the CX group with an intensity of 50-80% of 1RM (8 weeks, three sessions per week, for 30 minutes). The control group did not do any sports activities. Before and after the intervention, measurements of the subjects' height, weight and body mass index and heart rate were taken using a polar wristwatch, and blood samples were taken from the subjects to check the biochemical factors of adipolin, insulin and glucose. In order to determine the difference between the groups, a mixed statistical test was used. ANOVA and paired statistical tests were used to determine the simple effects of variables.
Results: The results of the present study showed that the implementation of 8 weeks of Pilates and CX exercises increases plasma adipolin level, which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between the two sports activities of Pilates and CX with the control group (p<0.05); However, there was no significant difference in any of the factors between the Pilates and CX groups. Weight indices, fat percentage, BMI, glucose, insulin and insulin resistance of Pilates and CX groups have significantly decreased compared to the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, it was shown that Pilates and CX exercises cause a significant increase in the serum level of adipolin and a significant decrease in body mass index, fat percentage, weight and insulin resistance compared to the control group (p<0.05), but there was no significant change in these factors between the two groups of Pilates and CX.
 

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