The association between pregnancy-specific anxiety and preterm birth: a cohort study

Background: Antenatal anxiety may have long-term negative effects on pregnancy outcome. Antenatal anxiety can also be detrimental to maternal health during pregnancy. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between pregnancy-specific anxiety and preterm birth in pregnant women.Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 208 pregnant women who were referred to the prenatal clinic of Al-Zahra hospital in Rasht. Sampling was conducted through convenient (simple) method. Data gathering tools were a demographic characteristics questionnaire and pregnancy-specific anxiety scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 19. General Linear Model (GLM)-Repeated Measures test were used to study variations in anxiety along pregnancy period and tested levels of significance among inter-trimester anxiety scores.Results: Results of the study showed that change in pregnancy-specific anxiety is significantly associated with preterm birth among participants in this study. Second trimester pregnancy-specific anxiety was not associated with preterm birth, but third trimester pregnancy-specific anxiety was associated with preterm birth.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, third trimester pregnancy-specific anxiety was associated with preterm birth. Therefore, the health care providers should pay special attention to pregnancy-specific anxiety.Keywords: Pregnancy-specific anxiety, preterm birth, pregnancy outcome

Implementation of heaters on thermally actuated spacecraft mechanisms

This paper presents general insight into the design and implementation of heaters as used in actuating mechanisms for spacecraft. Problems and considerations that were encountered during development of the Deep Space Probe and Science Experiment (DSPSE) solar array release mechanism are discussed. Obstacles included large expected fluctuations in ambient temperature, variations in voltage supply levels outgassing concerns, heater circuit design, materials selection, and power control options. Successful resolution of these issues helped to establish a methodology which can be applied to many of the heater design challenges found in thermally actuated mechanisms

Effect of pregnancy on sexual function of couples

Objective: Sexual function is an important part of each human being’s personality and in the general couple relationship, with an obvious impact on quality of life and safe sexual performance during pregnancy is important for couples. The objective of this study was to assess effects of pregnancy on sexual function of couples.Materials: In a prospective cohort study 123 couples were enrolled in the study when women were first diagnosed to be pregnant. During their pre-natal visits, Sexual function of couples was evaluated using the Iranian Version Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) in men and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in women in three trimesters. Statistical analysis was performed.Results: Indices of sexual function showed significant regressions over time during pregnancy. The greatness of the problem was highest during the third trimester. Female sexual arousal and sexual satisfaction domain scores had the major correlation to IIEF total score. On the other hand, male intercourse satisfaction domain score had the maximum correlation to FSFI total score. A strong correlation between male and female sexual function was observed.Conclusion: Sexual function is a widespread problem during pregnancy among Iranian couples. Therefore, pregnant women and their husbands need counseling about healthy sexual function in pregnancy.Keywords: Sexual activity, pregnant woman, husband

Immunotherapy Using Autoclaved L. major Antigens and M. vaccae with Meglumine Antimoniate, for the Treatment of Experimental Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis

Background: To evaluate immunotherapy against canine visceral leishmaniasis, Leishmania ma­jor antigen and heat-killed Mycobacterium vaccae (SRL172) were used as stimulators of immune de­fense mechanisms and the results were compared with standard chemotherapy meglumine antimoni­ate.Methods: Nineteen mongrel dogs aging 1-3 years old were used in this experiment. Infection was carried out in 15 out of 19 dogs using L. infantum, isolated from a naturally infected poly-symptomatic dog.Results: All the cases showed positive serologic results by direct agglutination test during 30-60 days following inoculation. In the first group, which was under chemotherapy (GlucantimeR), one of the members showed recurrence of the disease despite rapid effect of the therapeutic protocol. Im­munotherapy using SRL172 caused complete cleaning of the parasite in group 2, but the speed was less than Glucantime. Immunotherapy using L. major antigen combined with M. vaccae in group 3 and combine administration of immunotherapy and chemotherapy in group 4 both were with relapsing of one case in each group. Group 5 and 6 were consisted of positive and negative con­trol dogs, respectively.Conclusion: Immunotherapy seems to be an adjuvant in treatment of canine leishmaniasis but it needs more investigation for final confirmation

Tele-working and its effect on human resource efficiency

One of the phenomena in information era is Tele-working project the government announced the regulation to organizations and bureaus in few last years. Tele-working includes some advantages and disadvantages; economization as its advantages and no specific border between working and personal life leads to emergence of some family problems as its disadvantages. Human resource is the basic part of any organization and in fact, efficiency of human resource directly effect on efficiency and effectiveness of any organization. This means, tele-working surely effects on efficiency and effectiveness of human resource and organization indeed. However, it should be considered that a tele-worker has to have skills such as discipline, working conscience, computer knowledge and English language ability in order to positively effect on efficiency otherwise, the negative effect not only does not increase efficiency but also it decreases it. In the present article, tele-working (a method in which a job done in a place other that than office), tele-workers' characteristics, jobs appropriate for teleworking (jobs without any client), advantage and disadvantages of tele-working defined and its effects on efficiency of human resource studied finally. If the conditions and infrastructures provided, tele-working surely effects on increase in efficiency but the author assumes the intelligent transfer more efficient regarding the goals government follows from presentation of this project

Effectiveness of sexual health counseling based on mindfulness approach on sexual satisfaction in women suffering from infertility: An RCT

Background: The infertility phenomenon affects physiological and psychosocial aspects. Sexual counseling can improve sexual and marital satisfaction. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of sexual health counseling based on the mindfulness approach on sexual satisfaction of women suffering from infertility. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 44 women suffering from infertility referred to the Yazd Reproductive Science Institute, Yazd, Iran. Women were randomly divided into 2 groups. The intervention group (n = 22) received 8 sessions of sexual counseling, while control group (n = 22) received routine care. The data collection tool was the sexual satisfaction questionnaire. Results: The mean age of women was 30.05 ± 4.9 yr, infertility duration was 6.83 ± 4.27 yr, and the mean duration of marriage was 8.3 ± 4.01 yr. The mean score of sexual satisfaction of women suffering from infertility in the intervention group was 62.9 ± 7.32, 71.6 ± 5.95, and 70.9 ± 6.26, before the intervention (baseline), after intervention (8th wk), and follow-up (12th wk) respectively. The mean score of sexual satisfaction of women suffering from infertility in the control group was 63.3 ± 6.82, 64.2 ± 7.93, and 62.25 ± 7.99, at baseline, 8th wk later, and after follow-up (12th wk), respectively. Sexual satisfaction scores increased before and one month after the intervention in the counseling group, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Mindfulness-based sexual health counseling programs may improve sexual satisfaction in women suffering from infertility in the intervention group. Key words: Infertility, Women, Sexual satisfaction, Mindfulness, Psychology

Empagliflozin in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence to Date

In the last decade, researchers have gained a greater understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of type 2 diabetes as a chronic and progressive disease. One of the more recent treatment targets is the kidney. The kidneys become maladaptive in diabetes by increasing the reabsorption of glucose above the normal physiologic renal threshold. This discovery has led to the development of the sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2). These agents readjust the renal threshold for glucose reabsorption to a lower level and decrease glucose reabsorption, while increasing urinary glucose when the glucose is above the renal threshold and subsequently lowering plasma glucose. The mechanism of action of the SGLT2 inhibitors is insulin independent, which makes them a novel treatment of diabetes. At the time of preparation of this manuscript, there were three SGLT2 inhibitors available in the US. This manuscript focuses on empagliflozin, the newest SGLT2 inhibitor, the trials in its development, and the clinical data available to date. Further, the authors propose future applications of empagliflozin, including in the treatment of type 1 diabetes, and its potential role in renoprotection

Evaluation of Benzimidazole Resistance in Haemonchus contortus Using Comparative PCR-RFLP Methods

Background: In order to deworm the ruminants especially of sheep in Iran, consumption of benzimi­dazoles has more than 2 decades history and today farmers are using imidazothiazoles, macrocyclic lactones and mostly benzimidazole compounds (BZs) to treat infected farm animals. It has been demonstrated that the most common molecular mechanism leading to BZsresistance in Haemonchus contortus is a single mutation at amino acid 200 (phenylalanine to tyrosine) of the isotype 1 of beta tubulin gene. According to the report of such mutations in Iranian Telador­sagia circumcincta isolates with Restriction Site Created PCR-RFLP, we decided to evaluate the frequency of such mutations in H. contortus in three different geographical areas of Iran.Methodes: A total of 102 collected adult male H. contortus were evaluated with PCR-RFLP (us­ing PSP1406I as restriction enzyme). By means of a second step to compare function of different methods and to increase sensitivity of detection mechanism, a third of samples were examined by another PCR-RFLP method (using TaaI as restriction enzyme) and finally beta tubulin gene of two samples was sequenced.Results: All of samples were detected as BZss homozygote. Finally, beta tubulin gene sequenc­ing of two samples showed no point mutation at codon 200.Conclusion: It seems that BZresistance of H. contortus in Iran is not a serious problem as antici­pated before

Antimicrobial Effect of Mentha spicata and Mentha pulegium Essential Oils in Two Storage Temperatures on the Survival of Debaryomyces hansenii in Iranian Doogh

Background and Objectives: Doogh is an Iranian preferred dairy drink, especially in warm seasons. Blowing by yeasts is a common occurring spoilage when this product is kept outside the refrigerator in warm temperature. Natural additives such as herbal essential oils, which also induce the desired flavor and color, may solve this problem and retard yeast growth. Spearmint, pennyroyal and some other herbs and their extracts were traditionally used in this product. In the current study, the antimicrobial effect of Mentha spicata and Mentha pulegium essential oils on the survival of Debaryomyces hansenii was evaluated in two different storage temperatures. Materials and Methods: Iranian Doogh was prepared according to the national standard method with different concentrations of the mentioned essential oils. Then all the samples were inoculated with yeast inocula to achieve a yeast count of >3×106 CFUml-1. Viability of Debaryomyces hansenii was investigated during the storage time (0-28 days) of Doogh samples at 4°C and 25°C at different intervals. Statistical analysis was performed using the one-way Analysis of Variance and Tukey’s post hoc methods. Also α level was considered equal to 0.05. Results and Conclusion: Different concentrations of Mentha spicata and Mentha pulegium essential oils had significant effect on the growth of the yeast. Increasing the concentration of these essential oils decreased the logarithm of number of microorganisms. The essential oils of Mentha spicata and Mentha pulegium in low concentrations have antimicrobial effect on spoilage yeast and can improve the sensory properties of Doogh. Therefore, they can be the best alternative preservatives for hazardous chemical compounds

Incidence and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (Dalys) Attributable to Leishmaniasis In Iran, 2013

Background: Leishmaniasis covers a range of clinical manifestations. Estimation of the burden of leishmaniasis may help guide healthcare management personnel and policy-makers in applying effective interventions. The present study aimed to calculate the incidence and burden of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in Iran in 2013.Methods: To evaluate the epidemiological aspects of the disease in Iran, published studies over the past 20 years were searched and the viewpoints of relevant  specialists in Iran were obtained. Data were collected from the Ministry of Health and from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. To calculate years of life lost due to premature death, standard expected years of life lost was used. Standard life table of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2010 with the life expectancy of 86.02 years for both sexes was used to calculate the remaining potential years of life at any age from death.Results: The overall incidence of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis was  calculated as 22 and 0.092 per 100000 population of Iran, respectively. The  burden of leishmaniasis was 99.5 years: 95.34 and 4.16 years for cutaneous and visceral, respectively. Sensitivity was analyzed and deaths predicted by the  Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation added, the burden of visceral  leishmaniasis was 726 years.Conclusion: The share of leishmaniasis burden in Iran is lower than the global burden of the disease. GBD 2010 standard method is recommended to calculate the burden of leishmaniasis in different countries and set local priorities on the basis of these measures.Keywords: Incidence, Disability-adjusted life years, Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Visceral leishmaniasis, Ira