Measuring Disease Exacerbation and Flares in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Comparison of Commonly Used Disease Activity Indices and Individual Measures.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the utility of commonly used outcome measures for assessing disease exacerbation or flare in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Data from the Dutch Potential Optimalisation of (Expediency) and Effectiveness of Tumor necrosis factor-α blockers (POET) study, in which 462 patients discontinued their tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor, were used. The ability of different measures to discriminate between those with and without physician-reported flare or medication escalation at the 3-month visit (T2) was evaluated by calculating effect size (ES) statistics.

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical Tetrahydropyridines Catalyzed by Bi(III) Immobilized on Triazine Dendrimer Stabilized Magnetic Nanoparticles.

Unsymmetrical 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-3-carboxylates were obtained for the first time from a five-component FeO@TDSN-Bi(III)-catalyzed reaction of aryl aldehydes, aryl amines, and ethyl acetoacetate. This magnetically separable catalyst enabled the selective incorporation of two different aryl amines or two different aryl aldehydes into the product, and provided excellent yields, short reaction times, mild reaction conditions, satisfactory catalyst recyclability, and low catalyst loading.

Self-recognition of the racemic ligand in the formation of homochiral dinuclear V(V) complex: In vitro anticancer activity, DNA and HSA interaction.

The reaction of a racemic mixture of Schiff base tridentate ligand with vanadium(V) affords homochiral vanadium complex, (VO(R-L))O and (VO(S-L))O due to ligand "self-recognition" process. The formation of homochiral vanadium complex was confirmed by H NMR, C NMR and X-ray diffraction. The HSA- and DNA-binding of the resultant complex is assessed by absorption, fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy methods.

Pulsed Dilution Method for the Recovery of Aggregated Mouse TNF-α.

Background: The expression of mouse tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in is a favorable way to get high yield of protein; however, the formation of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, which is the consequence of insoluble accumulated proteins, is a major obstacle in this system. To overcome this obstacle, we used a pulsed dilution method to convert the product to its native conformation.

Methods: Reducing agent and guanidine hydrochloride were used to solubilize inclusion bodies formed after TNF-(α) expression.

Morphological variations of the vermiform appendix in Iranian cadavers: a study from developing countries.

Background: The vermiform appendix is a worm-like tube containing a large amount of lymphoid follicles. In our knowledge, there is a little standard data about the vermiform appendix in Iranian population. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the normal appendix size in Iranian cadavers.

Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus in Vulnerable Wild Small Ruminants, Iran, 2014-2016.

In 2014-2016, >1,000 wild goats and sheep in 4 northern and central provinces of Iran died from peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) infection. Partial nucleoprotein sequencing of PPRV from 3 animals showed a close relationship to lineage 4 strains from China. Control measures are needed to preserve vulnerable ruminant populations.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Early and Delayed-onset Ocular Injuries Due to Mustard Gas Exposure.

Purpose: To develop clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of ocular injuries caused by exposure to mustard gas.

Methods: The clinical questions were designed by the guideline team. Websites and databases including National Guidelines Clearinghouse, National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Cochrane, and PubMed were searched to find related CPGs and explore possible answers to the clinical questions.

Molecular structure, FT IR, NMR, UV, NBO and HOMO-LUMO of 1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-5-carbonitrile by DFT/B3LYP and PBEPBE methods with LanL2DZ and 6-311++G(d,2p) basis sets.

Structural and molecular properties of antidepressants 1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-5-carbonitrile were examined using quantum mechanics of Density Functional Theory (DFT)/B3LYP and PBEPBE methods with 6-311++G(d,2p) and LanL2DZ basis sets to study the therapeutic properties of the drug. For this, the structure of desired material was optimized by the computer calculation method and with the use of powerful Gaussian 09 software. Then the lowest energy value and the bond length, bond angle and dihedral angle between its constituent atoms in the crystal structure of the desired material were measured from the optimized values.

Evaluation of Plasma Platelet Microparticles in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

Background: Platelet microparticles (PMPs) have a procoagulant activity about 50-100 times greater than active platelets due to high expression of negatively charged phospholipids on their surfaces. In this study, we evaluated microparticle immunophenotyping and also plasma PMPs level in patients with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) in Southern Iran.

Method: We had two study groups: 15 TTP patients and 15 healthy control group and PMPs from platelet concentrate (PC) at the 5 day of storage.

Relationship between attachment styles and happiness in medical students.

Background: Attachment theory is one of the most important achievements of contemporary psychology. Role of medical students in the community health is important, so we need to know about the situation of happiness and attachment style in these students.

Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the relationship between medical students' attachment styles and demographic characteristics.

The Effects of Spiritual Self-Care Training on Caregiving Strain in Mothers of Mentally Retarded Children.

Introduction: Care for a mentally retarded child induces a lot of problems for the mother and leads her to care giving strain and ignorning her self-care. Spiritual health will co-ordinate all aspects of human life and is necessary for coping with diseases in mother of mentally retarded children.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of spiritual self-care training on care giving strain in mothers of mentally retarded children.

Evaluation of Antibiotic Residues in Pasteurized and Raw Milk Distributed in the South of Khorasan-e Razavi Province, Iran.

Introduction: The presence of antibiotic residues in milk and other products livestock is a health problem which can endanger public health. Antibiotics are used widely in animal husbandry to treat diseases related to bacterial infections. Antimicrobial drugs have been in use for decades in industry.

Effect of dental restorative materials on total antioxidant capacity and calcium concentration of unstimulated saliva.

Background: To evaluate the effect of dental amalgam and composite restorations on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and calcium (Ca) ion concentration of unstimulated saliva.

Material And Methods: Forty-eight children aged 6-10 years selected and divided into three groups of sixteen (8 males, 8 females). In group A and B, samples consisted of two class II dental composite or amalgam restorations, while in group C samples were caries-free (control group).

Relationship Between Some Single-nucleotide Polymorphism and Response to Hydroxyurea Therapy in Iranian Patients With β-Thalassemia Intermedia.

Objective: To evaluate the possible relationship between hydroxyurea (HU) response and some single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in patients affected by β-thalassemia intermedia.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 β-thalassemia intermedia patients who were taking HU with a dose of 8 to 15 mg/kg body weight per day for a period of at least 6 months were randomly selected between February 2013 and October 2014 in southern Iran. HU response was defined based on decrease or cessation of the blood transfusion need and evaluation of Hb level.

Quantification of Pla or 3, a Allergen, Grown under Different Environmental Conditions, by Sandwich ELISA.

Background: species are widely cultured around the world and considered an important cause of allergic reactions. In the present study, we developed a sandwich ELISA to quantify Pla or 3 allergen in pollen extracts grown near high-traffic roads and compared it to pollen extracts collected from rural areas as control.

Methods: Pollen samples were collected from three polluted and two unpolluted sites in Mashhad, northeast Iran.

Relationship between Bone Density and Biochemical Markers of Bone among Two Groups Taking Carbamazepine and Sodium Valproate for Epilepsy in Comparison with Healthy Individuals in Yazd.

Introduction: Chronic antiepileptic therapy has been associated with metabolic bone diseases including osteomalacia and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of changes in biochemical and bone mineral density (BMD) in adults receiving valproaic acid (VPA) & carbamazepine (CBZ).

Methods: In a cross sectional study evaluating adults (age 20-50 y) epileptic patients receiving valproic acid or carbamazepine for at least 2 years.

Formation of porous HPCL/LPCL/HA scaffolds with supercritical CO gas foaming method.

Scaffold is a 3D porous structure that is made of different materials, such as synthetic and natural polymers. It plays the role of a synthetic extracellular matrix and permits adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of the cells. Porosity and pore size are the important factors for any 3D scaffold used in bone tissue engineering.

Effects of Storytelling-Based Education in the Prevention of Drug Abuse among Adolescents in Iran Based on a Readiness to Addiction Index.

Introduction: One of the most effective strategies in the prevention of addiction is increasing awareness among young people, towards the tendency for taking drugs their physical, mental and social side effects. Storytelling is effective for increasing characteristics of happiness and resilience. This study uses storytelling, a common and popular method to increase awareness among adolescents.

EFFECTS OF HOME-CARE TRAINING ON THE SELF-EFFICACY OF PATIENTS WITH BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR.

Background: The self-efficacy of thalassemia patients is an important factor in creating behavioral changes in such patients. Home-care training reduces hospitalization duration as well as relevant costs and improves disease outcomes. This study was designed to assess the effect of home-care training on the self-efficacy of patients with beta thalassemia major.

Molecular and Serological Survey of Selected Viruses in Free-Ranging Wild Ruminants in Iran.

A molecular and serological survey of selected viruses in free-ranging wild ruminants was conducted in 13 different districts in Iran. Samples were collected from 64 small wild ruminants belonging to four different species including 25 Mouflon (Ovis orientalis), 22 wild goat (Capra aegagrus), nine Indian gazelle (Gazella bennettii) and eight Goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) during the national survey for wildlife diseases in Iran. Serum samples were evaluated using serologic antibody tests for Peste de petits ruminants virus (PPRV), Pestiviruses [Border Disease virus (BVD) and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea virus (BVDV)], Bluetongue virus (BTV), Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), and Parainfluenza type 3 (PI3).

Accessory Spleen in the Splenic Hilum: a Cadaveric Study with Clinical Significance.

Aim: An accessory spleen is an additional tissue of the spleen that may be found near the spleen. It is a congenital anomaly of the spleen that its incidence has been reported 10-30% of the population. Hence, the objective of this study was evaluation the incidence of accessory spleen in Iranian cadavers.

DNA as a Target for Anticancer Phen-Imidazole Pd(II) Complexes.

Imidazole ring is a known structure in many natural or synthetic drug molecules and its metal complexes can interact with DNA and do the cleavage. Hence, to study the influence of the structure and size of the ligand on biological behavior of metal complexes, two water-soluble Pd(II) complexes of phen and FIP ligands (where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and FIP is 2-(Furan-2-yl)-1H-Imidazo[4,5-f][1, 10]phenanthroline) with the formula of [Pd(phen)(FIP)](NO) and [Pd(FIP)]Cl, that were activated against chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line, K562, were selected. Also, the interaction of these anticancer Pd(II) complexes with highly polymerized calf thymus DNA was extensively studied by means of electronic absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism in Tris-buffer.

Assessment of Diagnostic Value of Single View Dynamic Technique in Diagnosis of Developmental Dysplasia of Hip: A Comparison with Static and Dynamic Ultrasond Techniques.

Background: Developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) is a common childhood disorder, and ultrasonography examination is routinely used for screening purposes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate a modified combined static and dynamic ultrasound technique for the detection of DDH and to compare with the results of static and dynamic ultrasound techniques.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, during 2013- 2015, 300 high-risk infants were evaluated by ultrasound for DDH.

A review of combinations of electrokinetic applications.

Anthropogenic activities contaminate many lands and underground waters with dangerous materials. Although polluted soils occupy small parts of the land, the risk they pose to plants, animals, humans, and groundwater is too high. Remediation technologies have been used for many years in order to mitigate pollution or remove pollutants from soils.

The Impact of Evidence-Based Practices on Postoperative Pain in Patients undergoing Gastrointestinal Surgery in Amiralmomenin Hospital in Zabol During 2014-2015.

Introduction: The Evidence-Based Practices (EBP), have gained considerable ground in treatment and care, increases the quality of nurses' clinical care. Yet EBP is less frequently employed despite its efficiency and importance. Pain management is an important component of nursing care and sufficient pain control has still remained as a challenge despite routine nursing practices that are already provided.