Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the Middle-age Population: A Priority for the Health System.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their associated factors in the middle-aged population of Shahroud, North of Iran.

Methods: In a population-based cross-sectional study with random cluster sampling, 300 clusters of Shahroud (north of Iran) were randomly selected from the 40-64 yr old population of the city, during 2009 and 2010. Upon enrollment, participants were weighed on digital scales and their heights were measured under standard conditions.

Prevalence and Length of the Anterior Loop of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve in Iranians.

The anterior loop of the inferior alveolar nerve is a sensitive anatomical feature that should be taken into account during installation of dental implants anterior to the mental foramen. This study was conducted to explore the controversy regarding prevalence and length. A total of 452 mandible quadrants of 234 patients (age: 50.

N-BLR, a primate-specific non-coding transcript leads to colorectal cancer invasion and migration.

Background: Non-coding RNAs have been drawing increasing attention in recent years as functional data suggest that they play important roles in key cellular processes. N-BLR is a primate-specific long non-coding RNA that modulates the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, facilitates cell migration, and increases colorectal cancer invasion.

Results: We performed multivariate analyses of data from two independent cohorts of colorectal cancer patients and show that the abundance of N-BLR is associated with tumor stage, invasion potential, and overall patient survival.

Experimental Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Diabetic Mice Exhibited Severe Retinal Swelling Associated With VEGF Elevation.

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most important risk factors for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION). In this study, we investigated for the first time the impact of experimental AION in a DM model.

Methods: We induced a photochemical thrombosis model of AION after streptozotocin-induced DM and performed serial optical coherence tomography (OCT), morphometric analyses, and VEGF levels in the retina and sera.

Essential oil composition and antifungal activity of Melissa officinalis originating from north-Est Morocco, against postharvest phytopathogenic fungi in apples.

To investigate biological control methods against post-harvest phytopathogenic fungi in apples, tests on the antifungal activity of essential oil of Melissa officinalis were carried out. The essential oil, obtained by hydrodistillation, was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Analysis of the essential oil was able to detect 88.

The Immunomodulatory Effect of Bone-Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Expression of TLR3 and TLR9 in Mice Dendritic Cells.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with immunomodulatory effect on immune cells including dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are the most potent antigen-presenting cells (APC). MSCs have been found to modulate both differentiation and function of DCs.

Frequency and Causes of Hypotonia in Neonatal Period with the Gestational Age of More Than 36 Weeks in NICU of Mofid Children Hospital, Tehran, Iran During 2012-2014.

Objective: Hypotonia is a serious neurologic problem in neonatal period. Although hypotonia is a nonspecific clinical finding but it is the most common motor disorder in the newborn. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of neonatal hypotonia then to ascertain of the most common causes.

Inhibition of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 confers neuroprotection, reduces tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and increases IL-10 in a rat stroke model.

Stroke is a major cause of mortality and long-term disability in adults. Transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) plays a crucial role in neuroinflammation. In this study, the effects of TRPV1 agonist (capsaicin) and antagonist (AMG9810) on cerebral ischemia were investigated.

Using Conjoint Analysis to Elicit GPs' Preferences for Family Physician Contracts: A Case Study in Iran.

Background: Family physician plans in Iran face several challenges, one of which is developing attractive and efficient contracts that motivate physicians to participate in the plan.

Objectives: This study aimed to elicit GPs' preferences for family physician contracts.

Patients And Methods: In a cross-sectional study using the conjoint analysis technique, 580 GPs selected from the family physician database in Iran in 2014.

Effective Factors in Marital Satisfaction in Perspective of Iranian Women and Men: A systematic review.

Introduction: One of the most important factors and determinants of mental health, emotional stability of couples and successful marriage is marital satisfaction, a state that in most cases, males and females are satisfied with each other and their marriage. This review was conducted to survey the effective factors on marital satisfaction in view of Iranian men and women.

Methods: This systematic review surveys published articles from 2005 to 2015.

The effect of ω-fatty acids on the expression of phospholipase A group 2A in human gastric cancer patients.

Background: Studies show that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may have an inhibitory role in carcinogenesis. It was previously shown that PLA2 group 2A (PLA2G2A) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression is associated with less frequent metastasis and longer survival in gastric adenocarcinoma. This study intends to investigate the effect of PUFAs on the expression of PLA2G2A in patients with gastric cancer.

The expression of HoxB5 and SPC in neonatal rat lung after exposure to fluoxetine.

Objective: Approximately 10% of pregnant women suffer from pregnancy-associated depression. Fluoxetine, as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is being employed as a therapy for depressive disorders. The present study aimed to determine the effects of fluoxetine on neonatal lung development.

Abnormal eye movement behavior during reading in Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Reading difficulties are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) but not well studied. We report a case of reading difficulties in a 40-year-old man with 6-year history of PD on dopamine replacement therapy.

Methods: We performed detailed neuro-ophthalmic examination and assessment of reading with and without infrared oculography.

Clinical outcomes based on multigene profiling in metastatic breast cancer patients.

Background: Identifying the clinical impact of recurrent mutations can help define their role in cancer. Here, we identify frequent hotspot mutations in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and associate them with clinical outcomes.

Patients And Methods: Hotspot mutation testing was conducted in 500 MBC patients using an 11 gene (N = 126) and/or 46 or 50 gene (N = 391) panel.

Cephalometric risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea.

Introduction: Previous studies on risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are highly controversial and mostly identifying a few cephalometric risk factors.

Methods: OSA diagnosis was made according to the patients' apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Included were 74 OSA patients (AHI > 10) and 52 control subjects (AHI ≤ 10 + free of other OSA symptoms).

Distribution of intraocular pressure and its determinants in an Iranian adult population.

Aim: To determine the distribution of intraocular pressure (IOP) and its determinants in an Iranian population.

Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, random cluster sampling was conducted from the 40-64 years old population of Shahroud, in the north of Iran. All participants had optometry and ophthalmic exams.

Comparative In silico Study of Sex-Determining Region Y (SRY) Protein Sequences Involved in Sex-Determining.

Background: The SRY gene (SRY) provides instructions for making a transcription factor called the sex-determining region Y protein. The sex-determining region Y protein causes a fetus to develop as a male. In this study, SRY of 15 spices included of human, chimpanzee, dog, pig, rat, cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep, horse, zebra, frog, urial, dolphin and killer whale were used for determine of bioinformatic differences.

Shear Capacity of C-Shaped and L-Shaped Angle Shear Connectors.

This paper investigates the behaviour of C-shaped and L-shaped angle shear connectors embedded in solid concrete slabs. An effective finite element model is proposed to simulate the push out tests of these shear connectors that encompass nonlinear material behaviour, large displacement and damage plasticity. The finite element models are validated against test results.

Nanomedicine-based intraperitoneal therapy for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis - Mission possible?

Intraperitoneal (IP) drug delivery represents an attractive strategy for the local treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). Over the past decade, a lot of effort has been put both in the academia and clinic in developing IP therapeutic approaches that maximize local efficacy while limiting systemic side effects. Also nanomedicines are under investigation for the treatment of tumors confined to the peritoneal cavity, due to their potential to increase the peritoneal retention and to target drugs to the tumor sites as compared to free drugs.

The Experience of Risk-Adjusted Capitation Payment for Family Physicians in Iran: A Qualitative Study.

Background: When a country's health system is faced with fundamental flaws that require the redesign of financing and service delivery, primary healthcare payment systems are often reformed.

Objectives: This study was conducted with the purpose of exploring the experiences of risk-adjusted capitation payment of urban family physicians in Iran when it comes to providing primary health care (PHC).

Materials And Methods: This is a qualitative study using the framework method.

The Role of Mother in Informing Girls About Puberty: A Meta-Analysis Study.

Context: Family, especially the mother, has the most important role in the education, transformation of information, and health behaviors of girls in order for them to have a healthy transition from the critical stage of puberty, but there are different views in this regard.

Objectives: Considering the various findings about the source of information about puberty, a meta-analysis study was conducted to investigate the extent of the mother's role in informing girls about puberty.

Data Sources: This meta-analysis study was based on English articles published from 2000 to February 2015 in the Scopus, PubMed, and Science direct databases and on Persian articles in the SID, Magiran, and Iran Medex databases with determined key words and their MeSH equivalent.

Higher order aberrations in a normal adult population.

Purpose: To determine the distribution of Zernike coefficients and higher order aberrations in a normal population and its relationship with age, gender, biometric components, and spherical equivalent.

Methods: During the first phase of the Shahroud cohort study, 6311 people of the 40-64-year-old population of Shahroud city were selected through random cluster sampling. A subsample of participants was examined with Zywave aberrometer (The Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY) to measure aberrations.

Corneal elevation and keratoconus indices in a 40- to 64-year-old population, Shahroud Eye Study.

Purpose: To determine the corneal elevation values and keratoconus indices in the 40- to 64-year-old population and their changes with aging.

Methods: The 6311 invitees of this study were selected through random cluster sampling, and 5190 of them participated in the study (response rate = 82.2%).

Effects of fixed orthodontic treatment on nickel and chromium levels in gingival crevicular fluid as a novel systemic biomarker of trace elements: A longitudinal study.

Introduction: Nickel and chromium might induce hypersensitivity. Therefore, they are of interest to orthodontists. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is highly relevant to orthodontic treatments and might reflect systemic changes associated with the inflammatory response induced by orthodontic forces.