Substance Abuse and its Associated Factors among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Southeast of Iran

Background: The data on the prevalence of substance abuse in Iranian pregnant women is scarce in the current literature. This study investigated the prevalence of and the factors associated with substance abuse among pregnant women, and compared self-reported use with urine test results. Methods: This cross-sectional study included data for 2000 pregnant women admitted to a tertiary care hospital in the southeast of Iran. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics and the patterns of substance use. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with opiate use. A subsample (200 women) was randomly selected to provide urine samples for toxicological screening. Findings: The lifetime prevalence of substance abuse and tobacco smoking was 15% and 31%, respectively. Overall, 3.3% of the participants reported using at least one substance during the previous month. One third of pregnant women reported using substances as a home remedy for treatment of pregnancy related health problems. Overall, 23% of the urine screening tests were positive. The agreement between self-reported substance abuse and the results of the urine tests was poor. Factors associated with opiates use in pregnant women were age at the first pregnancy of less than 20 years, living in rural areas, unwanted pregnancy, lack of healthcare during pregnancy, and having a spouse and/or first-degree family member with substance abuse. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of substance abuse among the studied women. Thus, a multidisciplinary approach to provide preventive educational programs during pregnancy, and interviews and urinary screening of all pregnant women is recommended

Effects of Endurance and Resistance Training on Plasma Levels of Chemerin and Factors Related to Obesity in Overweight and Obese Females

Background & aim: Obesity is accompanied with a lot of metabolic disorders such as changing Adipokines like Chemerin. The present study evaluated the effects of endurance and resistance training on Plasma levels of chemerin and Factors related to obesity in overweight and obese females. Methods: In this study 34 overweight and obese females with an average of age (22.29±2.49 years), body mass index (BMI) (30.19±2.79 kg/m2), weight (77.23±10 kg) participated voluntarily and were randomly assigned into two experimental groups (n=12) and one control group (n=10). Endurance and resistance training groups trained for 8 weeks (4 days a week), respectively with intensity of 65 to 80% maximum heart rate (HRmax) and 65 to 80% one repetition maximum (1RM). In two steps of pre-test and post-test, after 12 hours of fasting, the blood samples were collected in the same conditions and ELIZA method was used to assess Plasma levels of Chemerin. Kolmogorov-Smirnove test was used to evaluate the normal distribution of data, the variation within groups using paired t-test and variation between groups analysis of variance (ANOVA) and LSD were used in significant level (P<0.05). Results: Plasma Chemerin decreased significantly after 8 weeks of training in endurance group (P0.05). Also In the experimental groups, factors related to obesity (weight, fat mass, WHR and BMI) were significantly decreased while the maximum oxygen consumption were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusions: Both endurance and resistance training, improved Factors related to Obesity and maximum oxygen consumption, but endurance training with a significant reduction in plasma chemerin, has a more effective role in health and reducing inflammation in overweight and obese females

Species Identification and Molecular Typing of Leishmania Spp. Using Targeting HSP70 Gene in Suspected Patients of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Southeast Iran

Background: Leishmaniasis is a sand fly-borne disease caused by the protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania. Because of the preventing and controlling methods, clinical course, prognosis and choice of treatment are differing from species; differentiation of species is critical. The present study was aimed to detect the parasite species using the PCR-RFLP method. Methods: A total of 130 Giemsa-Stained slides from suspected Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients were examined under a light microscope at×1000. DNA from each slide was extracted PCR method was undertaken with HSP70 genes and the PCR products were digested with a restriction enzyme HaeIII (BsuR1). The study was conducted in the laboratory of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province, southeastern Iran in 2015. Results: From 130 suspected samples, 59 (45.3%) were positive by the microscopic examination, meanwhile 64 (49.2%) were positive by PCR-RFLP, Leishmania species were recognized, and L. tropica was introduced as predominant species in current study. Conclusion: PCR-RFLP is a valuable technique for distinguish of Leishmania species. Furthermore, anthroponotic CL is the dominant cause of CL in Sistan and Baluchestan Province