Association of hormone profile with various respiratory disorders in sulfur mustard-chemical veterans.

Backgrounds: Chronic respiratory complications such as asthma, bronchiolitis obliterans, and chronic bronchitis are prevalent among individuals exposed to sulfur mustard (SM). This study investigates the hormonal changes associated with SM-induced respiratory disorders.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 276 male participants exposed to SM during the Iraq-Iran war and 64 healthy controls.

Health assessment of sulfur mustard-chemical veterans with various respiratory diseases: The result of a comparative analysis of biological health scores (BHS) through 50 biomarkers.

Background: Mustard gas as a chemical weapon has been used in wars and its long-term side effects are substantial in the human body. This study aimed to apply an extension of allostatic load, known as biological health score (BHS), including the wear-and-tear of four physiological systems (endocrine, inflammatory, cardiovascular, and metabolic systems) to estimate biological health caused by sulfur mustard (SM) toxicity.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum samples were collected from two distinct groups of male individuals including 1) 236 individuals who had been exposed to SM gas during the Iraq-Iran war in 1987.

Transcription of biological aging markers (ANRIL, P16, TBX2, and TERRA) and their correlations with severity of sulfur mustard exposure in veterans.

Sulfur mustard (SM) exposure has delayed harmful effects, including premature biological aging. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of aging markers (i.e.

Increased serum lipofuscin associated with leukocyte telomere shortening in veterans: a possible role for sulfur mustard exposure in delayed-onset accelerated cellular senescence.

Background: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a toxic gas that causes chronic inflammation and oxidative stress leading to cell senescence. This study aimed to evaluate two indicators of biological aging (i.e.

Concomitant use of relative telomere length, biological health score and physical/social statuses in the biological aging evaluation of mustard-chemical veterans.

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a toxic gas that has been used as a chemical weapon in wars. After many years, SM-exposed people are still suffering from its side effects such as biological and premature aging. This study was aimed to evaluate biological aging rate via involving biological health scoring (BHS), relative telomere length (TL) and different physical/social variables i.

Maternal deprivation effect on morphine-induced CPP is related to changes in opioid receptors in selected rat brain regions (hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens).

Early-life environmental conditions affect offspring's development. Maternal deprivation (MD) can induce persistent changes that give rise to neuropsychiatric diseases including substance abuse disorders. However, long-lasting mechanisms that determine vulnerability to drug addiction remain unknown.

Sulfur mustard and biological ageing: A multisystem biological health score approach as an extension of the allostatic load in Sardasht chemical veterans.

Background: Mustard gas as a chemical weapon has been used in wars and its long-term side effects are substantial in the human body. This study was aimed to apply an extension of allostatic load, known as synthetic biological health score (BHS), including the wear-and-tear of four physiological systems (endocrine, inflammatory, cardiovascular and metabolic systems) and two organs (liver and kidney) to estimate biological aging caused by sulfur mustard (SM) gas poisoning.

Methods: The plasma samples were prepared from two following groups of people; 1) 446 individuals exposed to SM gas in 1987.

Correction to: Combining health insurance funds in a fragmented context: what kind of challenges should be considered?

In the original publication of this article [1], there are two corrections.

Effects of as an Add-On Therapy on Insomnia in Patients with Obsession or Depression: A Pilot Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of extracted syrup on the quality and patterns of sleep in patients with depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as add-on therapy. A pilot double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Psychiatric Clinic of Imam Hossein Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Combining health insurance funds in a fragmented context: what kind of challenges should be considered?

Background: Iran's Parliament passed a Law in 2010 to merge the existing health insurance schemes to boost risk pooling. Merging can be challenging as there are differences among health insurance schemes in various aspects. This qualitative prospective policy analysis aims to reveal key challenges and implementation barriers of the policy as introduced in Iran.

Pharmacological and biochemical properties of (L.) Roscoe ex Sm. and its therapeutic efficacy on osteoarthritis of knee.

Osteoarthritis (OA) as the most frequent form of knee arthritis is one of the most annoying complications amongst old peoples. There are different pharmacological and non-pharmacological remedies which could be applied for treatment of knee OA. It's while, significant side effects mostly in patients who are older are the dangerous limiting factors.

Alteration in serum levels of immunoglobulins in seriously eye-injured long-term following sulfur-mustard exposure.

Introduction: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a potent toxic agent that cause local and systemic changes in the human body such as dysregulation of the immunological system. This gas affects different organs such as lungs, skin, eyes and the gastrointestinal tract.

Methods: 128 veterans with SM-induced eye injuries were examined and compared to 31 gender- and age-matched healthy controls.

Alteration in inflammatory mediators in seriously eye-injured war veterans, long-term after sulfur mustard exposure.

Background: Sulfur mustard (SM) exposure produces extensive systemic and ocular adverse effects on the victims. One of the most important effects is immunological insults that can lead to other organ damages, including the eyes.

Methods: In this descriptive study, 128 SM-exposed veterans with severe eye injury were compared with 31 healthy controls.

Angiogenesis modulatory factors in subjects with chronic ocular complications of Sulfur Mustard exposure: A case-control study.

Background: Chronic ocular complications of Sulfur Mustard (SM) exposure leads to severe ocular morbidity during time. The aim of this study was to compare serum levels of Interleukin 17 (IL-17), IL-12, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, VEGF-D and nitric oxide (NO) in SM-exposed patients versus the control group and to measure tear concentration of VEGF-C only in the SM-exposed group.

Methods: In this prospective case control, 128 SM-exposed patients and 31 healthy control subjects were included.

Augmentation of morphine-conditioned place preference by food restriction is associated with alterations in the oxytocin/oxytocin receptor in rat models.

Background: Studies indicate that food restriction (FR) reinforces the effects of morphine. The exact mechanisms by which FR influences the reward circuitry of morphine have not yet been determined.

Objectives: We hypothesized that the effects of FR on the oxytocin (OXT) system and HPA axis can be associated with substance abuse disorders.

Decomposing disparity in adult individual's mental health in Tehran among lower and higher economic groups; an Oaxaca- Blinder analysis on urban HEART Survey- round 2.

Background: Mental health is one of the main aspects of social well-being. Tehran -capital of Iran- is metropolitan, where the mental health status of citizens is not prioritized effectively.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was identifying contributors of mental health inequality between lower and higher economic groups in Tehran through Oaxaca- Blinder method.

Association of Sulfur Mustard-Induced Ocular Problems with Serum and Blood Biochemical Parameters Changes.

Background & Objective: Many biochemical features of sulfur mustard (SM) intoxication have remained unknown. So far, the direct association between biochemical parameter changes and ocular problems in patients exposed to SM is not evaluated. The current study aimed at evaluating the associations between the ocular findings in patients with SM intoxication and the changes of serum and blood biochemical parameters.

Sulfur Mustard-induced Changes in Blood Urea Nitrogen, Uric Acid and Creatinine Levels of Civilian Victims, and Their Correlation with Spirometric Values.

Background: The aim of this study was assessment of the chronic effects of sulfur mustard (SM) among victims.

Methods: In this cohort study, 355 SM-exposed subjects from Sardasht, and 123 controls from Rabat, both from West Azerbaijan Province, Iran were included. The spirometric evaluation and the global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) classification were applied for all.

Depressed Immune Responses and Accelerated Splenic Apoptosis due to Experience of Food Deprivation and Inequality but not Unstable Social Status in Balb/c Mice.

Objective(s): We aimed to show that the immune system is sensitive to the detrimental effects of inequality and social injustice, and splenic vulnerability to apoptosis may also increase.

Methods: In order of better determination of immune responses to chronic social stress, we implemented food deprivation, food intake inequality, and unstable social status (a change of cage-mate every 3 days) for a period of 14 days in 60 male Balb/c mice. At the end of this stress period, nitric oxide (NO) production by peritoneal adherent cells and the serum concentration of corticosterone were measured.

Identifying associated factors with social capital using path analysis: A population-based survey in Tehran, Iran (Urban HEART-2).

Social capital has been defined as norms, networks, and social links that facilitate collective actions. Social capital is related to a number of main social and public health variables. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the factors associated with social capital among the residents of Tehran, Iran.

Association between Acne and Serum Pro-inflammatory Cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and RANTES) in Mustard Gas-Exposed Patients: Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study.

Background: Acne vulgaris is a very common chronic inflammatory disorder, yet its pathogenesis is not clearly understood. As part of the SICS, this study was conducted to evaluate the association between the incidence of acne vulgaris in SM-exposed subjects (20 years after the exposure) and serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and RANTES) in an attempt to better understand the pathogenesis of long-term skin disorders of these individuals.

Methods: Serum concentrations of cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and RANTES) were measured using sandwich ELISA technique.

Post-infarct sleep disruption and its relation to cardiac remodeling in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

Sleep disruption after myocardial infarction (MI) by affecting ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is thought to contribute to myocardial remodeling and progressive worsening of cardiac function. The aim of current study was to test the hypothesis about the increased risk of developing heart failure due to experience of sleep restriction (SR) after MI. Male Wistar rats (n = 40) were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: (1) Sham, (2) MI, (3) MI and SR (MI + SR) (4) Sham and SR (Sham + SR).

Health Priority Setting in Iran: Evaluating Against the Social Values Framework.

Background: Health systems, as part of the social system, consider public values. This study was conducted to examine the role of social values in the health priority setting in the Iranian health system.

Methods: In this qualitative case study, three main data sources were used: literature, national documents, and key informants who were purposefully selected from health care organizations and other related institutions.

Policy Options to Reduce Fragmentation in the Pooling of Health Insurance Funds in Iran.

There are fragmentations in Iran's health insurance system. Multiple health insurance funds exist, without adequate provisions for transfer or redistribution of cross subsidy among them. Multiple risk pools, including several private secondary insurance schemes, have resulted in a tiered health insurance system with inequitable benefit packages for different segments of the population.

The prevalence of adulthood overweight and obesity in Tehran: findings from Urban HEART-2 study.

Background: To estimate and compare prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult people across the 22 districts of Tehran in 2011.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using data on 47,406 women and 47,525 men aged≥ 15 years from a large population-based survey (Urban HEART-2). Age-standardized prevalence (ASP) of overweight (25≤BMI<30) and obesity (BMI≥30) were estimated for the Tehran's districts.