Path Analysis Association between Domestic Violence, Anxiety, Depression and Perceived Stress in Mothers and Children’s Development

How to Cite This Article: Vameghi R, Amir Ali Akbari S, Sajedi F, sajjadi H, Alavi Majd H. Path Analysis Association between Domestic Violence, Anxiety, Depression and Perceived Stress in Mothers and Children’s Development. Iran J Child Neurol. Autumn 2016; 10(4):36-48.AbstractObjectiveGiven that several factors involved in the incidence or exacerbation of developmental disorders in children, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between some of the risk factors affecting mothers’ health and development in children using path analysis. Materials & MethodsThe present cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 750 mothers and their children in health centers in Tehran, Iran in 2014 enrolled through multi-stage random sampling. Data were collected using a demographic and personal information questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, Beck’s depression Inventory, Spielberger’ anxiety inventory, the WHO domestic violence questionnaire and an ages & stages questionnaire for assessing children’s development. Data were analyzed using SPSS.19 (Chicago, IL, USA) and Lisrel 8.8. ResultsDevelopmental delay was observed in 12.1% of the children. The mean stress score was 23.94±8.62 in the mothers, 50.7% of whom showed mild to severe depression, 84.2% moderate to severe anxiety and 35.3% had been subjected to domestic violence. The path analysis showed that children’s development was affected directly by perceived stress (β=-0.09) and depression (β=-0.17) and indirectly by domestic violence (β=-0.05278) and anxiety (β=-0.0357). Of all the variables examined, depression had the biggest influence on development in the children (β=-0.17). The proposed model showed a good fit (GFI=1, RMSEA=0.034). ConclusionChildren’s development was influenced indirectly by domestic violence and anxiety and directly by perceived stress and depression in mothers. It is thus suggested that more concern and attention be paid to women’s mental health and the domestic violence they experience. References1. R. de Moura D, Costa JC, Santos IS, D. Barros AJ, Matijasevich A, Halpern R, and et al. Risk factors for suspected developmental delay at age 2 years in a Brazilian birth cohort. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2010; 24(3): 211–221.2. Karimzadeh P, Kuimarsi A, Yousefi M. A Survey of Pediatrics Resident Knowledge of Growth & Development. Iran J Child Neurol 2011; 5(2):11-16.3. Baker R. Pediatric Primary Care Well-Child Care. USA. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins Publish. 2001.4. Sachdeva S, Amir A, Alam S, Khan Z, Khalique N, Ansari MA. Global developmental delay and its determinants among urban infants and toddlers: a cross sectional study. 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Palynology of the Dalichai Formation in the Guydagh section, southeastern Maragheh, according to dinoflagellate

Introduction The Dalichai Formation is represented by greenish-grey color shales, calcareous shales, marls, and richly ammonitiferous limestones (Steiger, 1966), being widely distributed in the Alborz Mountain, northern Iran. It disconformably overlies the dark, siliciclastic coal bearing Shemshak Formation and underlies gradually by the light colored, more uniform Lar Limestone containing chert concretions. The Dalichai Formation is represented the first rock unit of the Jurassic marine sediments of the Alborz Mountain. This Formation includes a diverse fauna as ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, echinoderms, sponges, bryozoans and foraminifera (Stöcklin 1972; Sussli 1976; Nabavi & Seyed-Emami 1977; Alavi-Naini et al. 1982; Schairer et al. 1991; Seyed-Emami et al. 1985, 1989, 1995, 1996; Shafeizad et al. 2002; Shafeizad and Seyed- Emami 2005; Alvani 2006; , Niknahad 2007; Shahrabi 1994; Vaziri et al. 2008, 2011; Shams 2007; Makvandi 2000; Tutunchi 2001). Due to presence of shale and marl layers, this formation has been the subject of many palynological studies. (such as Wheeler & Sarjeant 1990; Ghasemi-Nejad et al. 2012; Mafi et al. 2013; Dehbozorgi et al. 2013; Hashemi-Yazdi et al. 2015; Skupien et al. 2015; Dehbozorgi 2013; Saadati Jafarabadi et al. 2013; Hashemi Yazdi 2008, 2015; Orak 2010; Sajjadi et al. 2009; Sabbaghiyan 2009; Ghasemi-Nejad et al. 2008; Boroumand et al. 2011, 2013; Farisi Kermani 2003; Ghasemi- Nejad & Khaki 2002; Navidi 2013). The purpose of this study was to determine the palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the Dalichai Formation based on inferred palaeoecological preferences of dinocyst types, and quantitative analysis of the palynofacies in the Dalichai Formation at the Guydagh section, southeastern Maragheh. Material and Methods Totally 23 palynologically possible samples collected from the Dalichai Formation at Guydagh section, southeastern Maragheh. All samples were prepared following standard palynological processing procedures (Phipps & Playford, 1984), including HCl (10-50%) and HF (40%) utilized for dissolution of carbonates and silicates, respectively. Then the residues were saturated with ZnCl2 solution (specific gravity 1.9 g/ml) for density separation. All the residues were sieved with a 20 μm mesh sieve previous to making strew slides. Three slides for each preparation were examined by transmitted light microscope. For quantitative study of the prepared slides, 15 field views were randomly selected from each slide and studied with a 16 - microscope magnification lens. The particles were counted for each sample to determine palynodebries and palynofacies. An analysis of facies including identification of palynomorphs, plant remains and amorphous particles, ratios of different particles, their size range in determination the paleoenvironment is highly important. Three main parameters including percentage of palynomorphs, phytoclasts, and organic matter (AOM) were transferred to Tyson triple diagram (Tyson 1993) for plotting and interpretations. Discussion of Results and Conclusions Diverse and moderately preserved palynofloras of marine and terrestrial derivation occur in surface samples of the Dalichai Formation Guydagh stratigraphic section in the southeast of Maragheh, western Alborz, northwestern Iran. In order to determine the age and reconstruct the paleoenvironment of the study section (including 198 meter of limestone, calcareous shale, marl and shale) was selected and examined palynologically. The palynofloras comprise dinoflagellate cysts, miospores (spores and pollen grain), acritarchs, scolecodonts, fungal and algal spores. The palynological investigations led to recognition of 85 species of dinocysts belong to 43 genera. Based on recorded dinocyst assemblages, especially marker species, three palynozone including Cribroperidinium crispum Total Range Zone (late Bajocian), Dichadogonyaulax sellwoodii Interval Zone (Bathonian – early Callovian) and Ctenidodinium continuum Interval Zone? (late Callovian) and one subzone (subzone "a" from early to middle Bathonian) were identified. The high similarity of western Alborz dinoflagellate assemblages with assemblages recorded from different parts of Iran (such as central and eastern part of Alborz and Binalud) and other parts of world (northwest of Europe, China, Qatar, Canada, Denmark, Egypt and etc.) proved presence of seaway connections between the mentioned basins through the late Bajocian - late Callovian. Also based on the palynofacies studies, four palynofacies of Tyson (1993) (II, IVa, VI, IX) were determined that proposed domination of a dysoxic shallow marine environment throughout the sedimentation of Dalichai Formation. Palynological evidence such as high frequency of proximate dinocysts to chorate forms; the high proportion of the equidimensional opaque palynomaceral to the blade-shape opaque palynomaceral; the high ratio of phytoclasts to marine palynomorphs, and the abundance of transparent amorphous organic matter in comparison to the opaque amorphous organic matter, all indicates that the Dalichai sediments, accumulated in a dysoxic shallow marine environment at the Guydagh section, southeastern Maragheh

Effects of 5-Year Interventions on Cardiovascular Risk Factors of Factories and Offies Employees of Isfahan and Najafabad: Worksite Intervention Project-Isfahan Healthy Heart Program

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p> <p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Effects of 5-year interventions of Worksite Intervention Project from Isfahan Healthy Heart Program on cardiovascular risk factors of factories and offices employees were studied in Isfahan and Najafabad (intervention area) compared to Arak (control area).</p> <p><strong>METHODS:</strong> We had especial interventions for nutrition, physical activity and smoking as well as hypertension and obesity screening systems in all offices and factories, and other risk factors screening systems whenever possible.</p> <p>Before and after the interventions, questionnaires containing demographic and other required data were completed for the two populations; height, weight and blood pressure (BP) were measured and a fasting and 2h blood sample was taken for the measurement of blood sugar (BS) and lipid levels..</p> <p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> The prevalence of<strong> </strong>Hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and central obesity decreased, but low HDL increased in office staff (P &lt; 0.01). Waist circumference, HDL and total cholesterol mean values decreased, and diastolic BP and fasting and 2h BS increased among the intervention group. In factory workers, the prevalence of &nbsp;hypertriglyceridemia and central obesity decreased, while low HDL prevalence &nbsp;increased in intervention group (P &lt; 0.001). Mean values of waist circumference, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride decreased significantly (P &lt; 0.001), while diastolic BP and fasting BS increased.</p> <p><strong>CONCLUSION</strong>: It seems that Worksite Intervention Project has a protective effect on CVD risk factors in factories and offices employees. So, the modifiable project can be used as an applicable tool for health improvement in worksites which creates tangible changes in employees&rsquo; lifestyle.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Key words</strong>: Risk Factors, Cardiovascular Disease, Workplace, Intervention</p

Effect of Hydrogenated, Liquid and Ghee Oils on Serum Lipids Profile

BACKGROUND: Trans fatty acids are known as the most harmful type of dietary fats, so this study was done to compare the effects of hydrogenated, liquid and ghee oils on serum lipids profile of healthy adults. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS: This study was a randomized clinical trial conducted on 129 healthy participants aged from 20 to 60 years old who were beneficiaries of Imam-e-Zaman charitable organization. Subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups and each group was treated with a diet containing cooking and frying liquid, ghee, or hydrogenated for 40 days. Fasting serum lipids, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), apoprotein A (Apo A), and apoprotein B (Apo B) were measured before and after the study. &nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: TC, TG and Apo B had a significant reduction in the liquid oil group compared to the hydrogenated oil group. In the ghee group TG declined and Apo A increased significantly (p &lt; 0.01). Liquid oil group had a significant reduction in HDL-C, compared to the ghee oil group (P &lt; 0.05).&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: It was concluded that consuming liquid oil along with frying oil caused to reduce all serum lipid levels. However, ghee oil only reduced TG and increased HDL-C levels. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: Serum lipids, Apoproteins, Liquid oil, Hydrogenated oil, Ghee, Clinical tria

Palynofacies and Sporomorph EcoGroups-based paleoecology implications for the Dalichai Formation, Andariyeh, central Alborz

Abstract The Dalichai Formation at the Andariyeh stratigraphic section in the northeast of Andariyeh village, central Alborz Mountains, was studied by using analyses of the Sporomorph EcoGroups (SEGs) data and associated plant communities and palynofacies in order to determine its paleoecology conditions. The Sporomorph EcoGroups data from the Dalichai Formation's palynological assemblages, declination of miospores representing Upland/Lowland plant communities and proliferation of those characterizing Lowland/Coastal-Tidal plant associations interpreted to signify relatively low sea level and deposition in a marginal marine setting. Furthermore, the ratios of wetter/drier and warmer/cooler elements suggest deposition of the host strata under a moist, ±warm climate prevailing during the Middle Jurassic in central Alborz Mountains. The results of drawing diagrams of the palynofacies in the Andariyeh stratigraphic section, indicates that the Dalichai sediments accumulated in a dysoxic shallow marine environment with low sedimentation rate that corresponds well with its SEGs graphs. Keywords: Palaeoecology, Dalichai Formation, Sporomorph EcoGroups (SEGs), palynofacies, Andariyeh village, central Alborz Mountains.   Introduction The Dalichai Formation is represented by greenish-grey color shales, calcareous shales, marls, and richly ammonitiferous limestones (Steiger 1966), being widely distributed in the Alborz Mountain, northern Iran. It disconformably overlies the dark, siliciclastic coal bearing Shemshak Formation and underlies gradually by the light colored, more uniform Lar Limestone containing chert concretions. The Dalichai Formation is represented the first rock unit of the Jurassic marine sediments of the Alborz Mountain. This formation includes a diverse fauna as ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, echinoderms, sponges, bryozoans and foraminifera (Stöcklin 1972; Sussli 1976; Nabavi & Seyed-Emami 1977; Alavi-Naini et al. 1982; Schairer et al. 1991; Shahrabi 1994; Seyed-Emami et al. 1985, 1989, 1995, 1996; Makvandi 2000; Tutunchi 2001; Shafeizad et al. 2002; Shafeizad & Seyed- Emami 2005; Alvani 2006;  Niknahad 2007; Shams 2007; Vaziri et al. 2008, 2011). Due to presence of shale and marl layers, this formation has been the subject of many palynological studies.(e.g. Wheeler & Sarjeant 1990; Ghasemi-Nejad & Khaki 2002; Farisi Kermani 2003; Ghasemi-Nejad et al. 2008; Sajjadi et al. 2009; Sabbaghiyan 2009; Orak 2010; Boroumand et al. 2011, 2013; Ghasemi-Nejad et al. 2012; Dehbozorgi 2013; Dehbozorgi et al. 2013; Mafi et al. 2013; Navidi 2013; Saadati Jafarabadi et al. 2013; Hashemi-Yazdi et al. 2015; Skupien et al. 2015; Hashemi-Yazdi 2008, 2015). The purpose of this study was to determine the palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the Dalichai Formation based on SEGs data, and quantitative analysis of the palynofacies in the Dalichai Formation at the Andariyeh stratigraphic section, central Alborz.   Material & Methods Totally 29 palynologically samples collected from the Dalichai Formation at the Andariyeh stratigraphic section, northeast of Andariyeh village, central Alborz Mountains. All samples were prepared following standard palynological processing procedures (Phipps & Playford 1984), including HCl (10–50%) and HF (40%) utilized for dissolution of carbonates and silicates, respectively. Then the residues were saturated with ZnCl2 solution (specific gravity 1.9 g/ml) for density separation. All the residues were sieved with a 20 μm mesh sieve prior to making strew slides. Three slides of each preparation examined by transmitted light microscope. The slides are stored in the collection of Faculty of Geology, Tehran University, Iran. For quantitative study of the prepared slides, 15 field views were randomly selected from each slide and studied with a 16 x microscope magnification lens. The particles were counted for each sample to determine palynodebries and palynofacies. An examination of facies including identification of palynomorphs, plant remains and amorphous particles, ratios of different particles and their size range in determination the paleoenvironment is very much important. Three main parameters including percentage of palynomorphs, phytoclasts, and organic matter (AOM) transferred to Tyson triple diagram (Tyson 1993) for plotting and interpretations. In addition, The Sporomorph Ecogroup Model (SEG model) of Abbink et al. (2001, 2004a) was applied to the Dalichai Formation. In this model, the miospores are classified as SEGs each, with reference to their parent plants, indicating particular palaeoecological specifications.   Discussion of Results & Conclusions Palynofacies data and SEGs used to draw palaeoecological and palaeoenvironmental inferences for the Dalichai Formation at the Andariyeh stratigraphic section in central Alborz Mountains. Diverse and well preserved palynofloras embracing miospores, dinoflagellate cysts, tasmanites, scolecodont, acritarchs, and foraminiferal test linings are retrieved from the host strata. Miospores typifying all the six plant communities are retrieved from the material examined. The least and most abundant miospores taxa are those related to Pioneer and Lowland SEGs., respectively, The wet/dry curve (ratio of wetter vs drier elements) reflects variations in humidity and precipitation while the warm/cool curve (ratio of warmer against cooler elements) indicates temperature fluctuations. Quantitative analysis of the SEGs tends to suggest that the host strata accumulated under a moist, warm climate during the Middle Jurassic. Also based on palynofacies studies, a palynofacies of Tyson (1993) (II) was determined that proposed domination of a dysoxic shallow marine environment throughout the deposition of Dalichai Formation. Palynological evidence such as high proportion of the equidimensional opaque palynomaceral to the blade-shape opaque palynomaceral; the high ratio of phytoclasts to marine palynomorphs, and the abundance of transparent amorphous organic matter in comparison to the opaque amorphous organic matter, all indicates that the Dalichai sediments, accumulated in a dysoxic-anoxic shallow marine environment at the Andariyeh stratigraphic section, central Alborz Mountains

Paleoenvironment of the Dalichai Formation, northeastern Semnan

Abstract Palaeonvironment of the Dalichai Formation, northeastern Semnan, is envisaged based on 69 samples studied palynologically. Diverse and well-preserved palynofloras, viz., miospores, dinoflagellate cysts, foraminiferal test linings, acritarchs, wood debris (plant tissue) and Amorphous Organic Matters (AOM) occur in the material examined. The presence of relatively abundant proximate dinoflagellates and ±laevigate acritarchs in the lower part of the section studied implies sedimentation in a turbulent shallow environment. However, occurrence in the upper part of the section of abundant chorate dinoflagellates as well as notable proportion of blade-shaped to equal dimensional opaque palynomacerals seem to signify marine incursion and accumulation in an open marine setting. In most of the samples examined, prevalence of transparent AOM denotes a low oxygenated environment and slow rate of accumulation. Moreover, incidence of three palynofacies types (II, IV, VI) in the pertinent material also corroborates a shallow low oxygenated environment with low sedimentation rate which gradually deepened upward in the section

DOES FRUIT AND VEGETABLE INTAKE DIFFER IN ADULT FEMALES AND MALES IN ISFAHAN?

AbstractINTRODUCTION: Adequate intake of fruits and vegetables (at least five servings a day) isrecommended as a nutritional behavior of great importance in prevention of chronicdiseases. This study aimed to compare the intake of fruits and vegetables in adult malesand females of Isfahan and to assess its association with personal and demographic factors,as well as seasons.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 123 healthy adults (64 malesand 59 females) during the cold season (fall and winter) and warm seasons (spring andsummer). Study samples were aged 30 to 60 years and were residents of Isfahan. Fruit andvegetable consumption was assessed using a 110-item semi-quantitative food frequencyquestionnaire on fruits and vegetables. Validity of the questionnaire was evaluated in a pilotstudy through comparison with two 24-hour food recalls and four food diaries. Meanconsumption of fruits and vegetables was analyzed in males and females, as well as in ageand educational groups. The relationship between the amount of fruit and vegetableconsumption and different factors including age, sex, level of education and occupation wasdetermined through stepwise linear regression.RESULTS: Mean fruit consumption in men and women in cold seasons was 275.3&plusmn;100.8and 234.5&plusmn;116.5 grams per day, respectively (P&lt;0.05), and in warm seasons 217.6&plusmn;95.5and 185.3&plusmn;77.1 grams per day, respectively (P&lt;0.05). Vegetable consumption in men andwomen in cold seasons was 291.5&plusmn;93.5 and 245.7&plusmn;76.6 grams per day, respectively(P&lt;0.05) and in warm season 197&plusmn;76.3 and 166.4&plusmn;60.7 grams per day, respectively(P&lt;0.05). The proportion of men who consumed more than 5 servings of fruits andvegetables in a day was significantly greater than women (P&lt;0.05). Fruit and vegetableintake in men educated below junior school and high school was significantly higher than intheir female counterparts (P&lt;0.05). Fruit and vegetable intake in single men wassignificantly lower than in their female counterparts (P&lt;0.05).DISCUSSION: The findings show the effectiveness of social and cultural factors on thepattern of fruit and vegetable intake.Keywords &bull; Fruits &bull; Vegetables &bull; Gender &bull; Adults &bull; Isfahan &bull; Food frequency questionnaire</p

Comparison of effects of soft margarine, blended, ghee, and unhydrogenated oil with hydrogenated oil on serum lipids: A randomized clinical trail

BACKGROUND: Trans fatty acids (TFAs) are known as the most harmful type of dietary fats. Therefore, this study was done to compare the effects of some different oils including unhydrogenated, blended, ghee, and soft magazine with hydrogenated oil on serum lipid profile of healthy adults. METHODS: This study was a randomized clinical trial conducted on 206 healthy participants of 20 to 60 years of age. Subjects were randomly divided into 5 groups and each of them was treated with a diet containing unhydrogenated oil, ghee, blended oil, soft margarine, or hydrogenated oil for 40 days. Fasting serum lipids were measured before and after the study. RESULTS: Compared to hydrogenated oil, total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) had a significant reduction in all groups, LDL-C declined in unhydrogenated oil and soft margarine groups, and apolipoprotein (Apo) B only in unhydrogenated oil group (all P &lt; 0.05). However, there was a significant enhancement in ApoA of ghee oil (P &lt; 0.001). CONCLUSION: Consuming unhydrogenated oil, ghee, soft margarine, and blended oil had some beneficial effects on serum lipids. &nbsp; Keywords: Clinical Trial, Dietary Fat, Commercial Oil, Lipid&nbsp;</div

Palaeoclimate of the Baghamshah Formation, northeastern Tabas, central Iran, based on terrestrial palynomorphs

AbstractThe Baghamshah Formation (Middle Jurassic) at the Senj stratigraphic section, northeastern Tabas, central Iran, consists of diverse and relatively well-preserved palynomorphs, including spore and pollen of land plants, microscopic algae, acritarchs, Tasmanites, fungal spores, foraminiferal test linings and dinoflagellate cysts. The miospores are attributed to the Pterophyta (11%), Lycophyta (1%), Coniferophyta (80%), Cycadophyta (3%) and Pteridospermophyta (5%). Among the miospores, the maximum frequency is related to Classopollis from the Chirolpidiaceae family of conifers. The abundance of Classopollis in the studied samples may represent the abundance of Chirolpidiaceae in the composition of vegetation nearby the sedimentary environment, the abundance of produced pollen, and/or the vicinity of the habitat of the parent plants to the depositional environment. Previous investigations about the environment of the Chirolpidiaceae family indicate the predominance of hot and dry climates. The abundance of Botryococcus algae separately or attached to Classopollis also supports this type of weather. The dominant size of the miospores in the stratigraphic section (25–35 µm) indicates the transport by a wind from highland to lowland. Based on the model of Sporomorph EcoGroups (SEGs), miospores typifying all the six plant communities are present in the studied strata. The palaeoclimate study was determined by the pattern of relative abundance of drier/wetter and warmer/cooler elements. The consequences of these calculations approve the hot and dry climatic conditions during the accumulation of the strata examined.Keywords: Palaeoclimate, Sporomorph EcoGroups, Baghamshah Formation, Tabas, central Iran.  IntroductionThe Baghamshah Formation (Stöcklin et al. 1965) is the second formation of the Mago Group, a soft and easily eroded rock unit that has a noteworthy expansion in Tabas (Shotori Mountains), Yazd, Kalmard, Lakarkoh, Naybandan, Shirgesht and Jam areas (east of Semnan). In these areas, the Baghamshah Formation represents Middle Jurassic deposits and is made of shales, marls, and a small amount of sandstones and limestones. Some of the layers contain small amounts of gypsum and limited coal lenses. This formation overlain the Parvadeh Formation conformably and in the upper boundary the Esfandiar Formation, Qaleh Dokhtar Formation or pecten-bearing limestones is present.The marl composition of this formation has caused the outcrops to appear as hills and in many areas, they are covered. In most regions of central Iran, the upper boundary of the Baghamshah Formation is marked by a decrease in the depth of the sedimentary basin and even with a sedimentary interruption and erosion cycles, so that the boundary of the Baghamshah Formation with younger formations is characterized by sandstones and sometimes red horizons. The decrease in the depth of the basin and especially the sedimentation cease after the Baghamshah Formation indicates tectonic movements comparable to the global tectonic event of Nevadan orogeny (Aghanabati 1998, 2004). Ammonites, brachiopods and bivalves are the most abundant fossils of the Baghamshah Formation, among which ammonites have determined the age of the Baghamshah Formation as Bathonian–late Callovian–early Kimmeridgian (Ruttner et al. 1968; Seyed-Emami et al. 1997; Aghanabati 1998, 2004). The only palynological study has been conducted on the Baghamshah Formation (Dehbozorgi 2014) in the stratigraphic section of Virab, Jam area (east of Semnan), which according to the abundance of miospores attributed to ferns, warm and humid climate during the Middle Jurassic (end of late Bathonian–Callovian) has been determined. Considering the very little data that is available about the vegetation and climate of the Baghamshah Formation, in this investigation, the palynology of the stratigraphic section of Senj, northeast of Tabas, was examined. Material & MethodsA total of 44 samples (from palynologically promising intervals within the Baghamshah Formation) were prepared using standard physicochemical processing techniques (e.g. Traverse 2007; Phipps and Playford 1984). Samples were broken into pea-sized lumps (1–2 mm in diameter) and treated with acids (40–50% hydrochloric acid to dissolve carbonates and 40% hydrofluoric acid to remove silicates); followed by application of hot 50% HCl to dissolve silica-gel formed during HF treatment. The residues were then further treated with saturated ZnCl2 for mineral separation by gravity separation. All residues were sieved through a 20μm mesh prior to making strew slides. Three slides of final residues were examined by a transmitted light microscope. The slides are stored in the collection of the School of Geology, Tehran University, Iran. Discussion of Results & ConclusionsDiverse and relatively well-preserved palynomorphs dominated by spore and pollen of land plants, microscopic algae, acritarchs, Tasmanites, fungal spores, foraminiferal test linings and dinoflagellate cysts occur in surface samples of the Baghamshah Formation in the Senj stratigraphic section, northeast of Tabas. The existing miospores belong to Pterophyta (11%), Lycophyta (1%), and groups of spore-bearing plants such as Coniferophyta (80%), Cycadophyta (3%) and Pteridospermophyta (5%). Among the miospores, the maximum abundance is related to Classopollis from the Chirolpidiaceae family of conifers, which can happen for three reasons. First, it can be due to the abundance of Classopollis parent plants in the configuration of vegetation around the sedimentary environment. Secondly, it is due to the plenty of pollen produced by these types of plants and thirdly, it is due to the proximity of the habitat of Classopollis parent plants to the sedimentary environment. The abundance of this type of pollen, along with Botryococcus algae separately or attached to pollen, indicates a hot and dry climate. The small size of all miospores (about 25–35 µm), indicates their transport by a wind from highland to lowlands.SEGs data and associated plant communities are considered as an available approach used to draw palaeoecological inferences for their host strata (Abbink 1998; Abbink et al. 2004). This method was used for the Baghamshah Formation in the Senj stratigraphic section. Miospores typifying all six plant communities are retrieved from the material examined. The smallest and most abundant miospores taxa are those related to river and coastal SEGs, respectively. The pattern of relative abundance of drier/wetter and warmer/cooler elements shows that a hot and dry climate prevailed during the formation of these sediments, which is confirmed by the presence of gypsum in some of the layers of the Baghamshah Formation

IS THERE ANY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TYPE OF DIETARY FAT AND BLOOD GLUCOSE? RESULTS OF ISFAHAN HEALTHY HEART PROGRAM

Abstract &nbsp;&nbsp; INTRODUCTION: Existing evidence suggests that the type of dietary fat may affect glucose metabolism in the body. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the type of dietary fat and blood glucose. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of 12600 adults aged over 19 years who came from the provincial towns of Isfahan, Najaf Abad&nbsp; in Isfahan Province and Arak, Iran. The subjects were selected using the randomized-cluster sampling method. A food frequency questionnaire was used to obtain data on the subjects' dietary patterns. &nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: A significant positive relationship was observed in Arak between fasting blood sugar and the consumption of foods containing poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (P=0.04). There was a significant positive relationship in all three provincial towns between age and fasting blood sugar, 2-hour post-load plasma glucose (2HPP), body mass index (BMI), wais-to-hip ratio and waist circumference (P&lt;0.001). There was a significant negative relationship between the male sex and all variables, except fasting blood sugar (P&lt;0.001). Consumption of foods containing PUFA was found to have a significant positive relationship with body mass index (P=0.002) and waist circumference (P&lt;0.001) in Isfahan; also in Najaf Abad there was a significant positive relationship between body mass index and consumption of PUFA sources (P=0.047). In Arak body mass index and waist circumference had positive relationship with consumption of PUFA sources (P&lt;0.001). In all three provincial towns, diabetic patients had healthier dietary patterns compared to non-diabetics, in terms of the type of dietary fat. &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the people's nutritional knowledge about dietary fats is inadequate. Hence Isfahan Healthy Heart Program can increase public awareness of the importance of disease prevention via appropriate interventions. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: Dietary fat, Blood glucose, Fatty acids, Community Study.</p