Breastfeeding status during the first two years of infants’ life and its risk factors based on BASNEF model structures in Isfahan

Background: Breastfeeding depends on social and cultural conditions of societies. Behavior,Attitude, Subjective Norms, Enabling Factors (BASNEF) model is one of the comprehensive models of behavior study, especially in developing countries. This study was performed to investigate the status of breastfeeding during the first two years of infants’ life and its risk factors through BASNEF model structures. Materials and Methods: In this cross‑sectional descriptive‑analytical study, 406 mothers with 6-24‑month‑old babies were selected by multistage cluster sampling method. The data were collected using a questionnaire with five sections based on the BASNEF model structures. Demographic characteristics of the studied population were also recorded and analyzed using Chi‑square tests and analysis of variance in SPSS18 statistical software. Results: The prevalence of breastfeeding was 86.4% (351 mothers). Three hundred and thirty three mothers (82%) had good knowledge and there was a significant relationship between knowledge and breastfeeding behavior of mothers (P < 0.05). Two hundred and eighty five mothers (70.2%) had good and very good attitude in this regard. There was no significant relationship between attitude and breastfeeding behavior of mothers (P > 0.05). There was a significant relationship between breastfeeding behavior of mothers and subjective norms of husbands, mother and mother‑in‑law (P < 0.05); however, no significant relationship was found with regard to enabling factors (P > 0.05). Moreover, no significant relationship was observed between type of children nutrition and variables of delivery mode, maternal age and number of children (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In addition to knowledge of nursing mothers, supports and encouragement of husbands, mothers and mother‑in‑laws, as subjective norms of behavior, have a positive impact on the breastfeeding behavior of mothers. Thus, breastfeeding programs should pay more attention to the role of these mentioned factors. Key words: BASNEF model, breastfeeding, enabling factors, infant, subjective norm

Adjustment and Completion of BASNEF Model to Provide a New Model for Educating Large Populations in Relation to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Background: Educational models that have been created for educating small populations do not have enough efficacy for educating large populations, so based on this premise and also high prevalence of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) in the Islamic Republic of Iran and lack of efficient methods for CL control, this study was designed and done with the aim of applying BASNEF model to provide a new model for educating large populations in relation to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Methods: In a quasi-experimental study, 60 Volunteer Health Workers (VHWS) and 120 households that were resident in endemic areas of CL in Yazd were selected through census and multi-stage sampling method, respectively. Then, educational intervention was designed and implemented on the basis of BASNEF model. After educating VHWS based on BASNEF model, they were asked to educate households on the basis of BASNEF model. Before and after 3 months of VHWS training activities, data were collected in intervention and control groups via valid and reliable questionnaires and were analyzed with the SPSS software. Results: The mean score of knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, enabling factors, behaviors and influence of subjective norms after educational intervention in households in experimental were significantly increased (P<0.05) while the changes in control group were not significant. Conclusions: This educational program led to empowering of VHWS and a change in their educational behavior which in turn led to preventive measures in households under study region. It can be concluded that the new educational model presented in this research, formed based on the BASNEF model, is able to educate a large population. Keywords: BASNEF Model, Volunteer Health Workers, Health Education, Cutaneous Leishmaniasi

The survey of family history of diabetes in patients with type 2 diabetes in Chaharmahal va Bakhteyari province, Iran, 2008

چکیده: زمینه و هدف: دیابت از گروه بیماری های متابولیک و یک اختلال چند عاملی است که با افزایش مزمن قند خون مشخص می شود. از آنجایی که در زمینه اپیدمیولوژی ژنتیک دیابت نوع 2 در کشور ما، مطالعات اندکی انجام شده و هنوز بطور قطعی مشخص نیست که توارث دیابت نوع 2 بیشتر از طرف کدام یک از والدین (پدر یا مادر) به فرزندان منتقل می شود، این مطالعه با هدف بررسی زمینه ژنتیکی بیماران دیابتی نوع 2 استان چهارمحال و بختیاری طراحی و اجرا گردید. روش بررسی: این بررسی یک مطالعه اپیدمیولوژیک از نوع توصیفی-تحلیلی است که جامعه پژوهش آن افراد مبتلا به دیابت نوع 2 در استان چهارمحال و بختیاری در سال 1387 بود. تعداد 254 نفر به روش تصادفی دو مرحله ای انتخاب و مورد بررسی قرار گرفتند. داده ها بوسیله مصاحبه و با تکمیل فرمی، جمع آوری و با نرم افزار STATA9 و آزمون مجذور کا مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. یافته ها: از254 نفر بررسی شده 150 نفر (59) مونث و 104 نفر(41) مذکر بودند. متوسط سن آنها 6/8±8/54 سال و متوسط مدت زمان ابتلا به دیابت در آنها 8/5±4/7 سال بود. 116 نفر (7/45) از آنها دارای سابقه خانوادگی مثبت دیابت بودند که از این میان، 4/61 مادر دیابتی، 8/19 پدر دیابتی، 9/62 خواهر دیابتی، 1/18 برادر دیابتی، 5/40 دختر دیابتی و 1/18 پسر دیابتی داشتند. سابقه خانوادگی دیابت در مادر بیشتر از پدر، در خواهر بیشتر از برادر و در دختران بیشتر از پسران بود (001/0>P). نتیجه گیری: نسبت شانس ابتلا به دیابت برای کسانی که سابقه خانوادگی مثبت دیابت در مادر دارند بیشتر و مهم تر از پدر بوده و می توان اظهار نمود که به احتمال قوی، توارث دیابت نوع 2 بیشتر از طریق مادر به فرزندان منتقل می شود.

High-dose-rate 192Ir brachytherapy dose verification: A phantom study

Background: The high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy might be an effective tool for palliation of dysphagia. Because of some concerns about adverse effects due to absorbed radiation dose, it is important to estimate absorbed dose in risky organs during this treatment. Objectives: This study aimed to measure the absorbed dose in the parotid, thyroid, and submandibular gland, eye, trachea, spinal cord, and manubrium of sternum in brachytherapy in an anthropomorphic phantom. Materials and Methods: To measure radiation dose, eye, parotid, thyroid, and submandibular gland, spine, and sternum, an anthropomorphic phantom was considered with applicators to set thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs). A specific target volume of about 23 cm3 in the upper thoracic esophagus was considered as target, and phantom planned computed tomography (CT) for HDR brachytherapy, then with a micro-Selectron HDR (192Ir) remote after-loading unit. Results: Absorbed doses were measured with calibrated TLDs and were expressed in centi-Gray (cGy). In regions far from target (� 16 cm) such as submandibular, parotid and thyroid glands, mean measured dose ranged from 1.65 to 5.5 cGy. In closer regions (� 16 cm), the absorbed dose might be as high as 113 cGy. Conclusions: Our study showed similar depth and surface doses; in closer regions, the surface and depth doses differed significantly due to the role of primary radiation that had imposed a high-dose gradient and difference between the plan and measurement, which was more severe because of simplifications in tissue inhomogeneity, considered in TPS relative to phantom. © 2015, Iranian Journal of Cancer Prevention

Apoptosis/necrosis induction by ultraviolet, in ER positive and ER negative breast cancer cell lines

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure has been one of the major inducers of apoptosis. UV exposure has caused pyrimidine dimers and DNA fragmentation which might lead to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis signals activation. UV induced apoptosis has investigated in MDA-MB 468 as an ER negative breast adenocarcinoma and MCF-7 as an ER positive breast cancer cell line. Apoptosis induction rate by UV might be different in these two types of cells due to different biological characteristics of the cell. Objectives: In this paper we have evaluated serial dose of UV-B exposure on ER positive and ER negative breast cancer cell lines and its effect on apoptosis or necrosis induction in these cells. Materials and Methods: MDA-MB468 and MCF-7 cell lines have cultured for 24 hours and UV exposure has carried out at 290 nm at dose of 154 J/m2 to 18 KJ/m2 using UV lamp. UV exposed cells have incubated in cell culture condition for 24 or 48 hours following UV exposure and the cells have stained and analyzed by flow cytometry for apoptosis evaluation by Annexin V/PI method. Results: Apoptosis rate (PI and Annexin V double positive cells) after 24 hours incubation was higher in 24 hours in comparison with 48 hours incubation in both cell lines. The frequency of PI positive MDA-MB 468 cells was higher than PI and Annexin V double positive cells after 48 hours. PI positive MDA-MB 468 cells were significantly higher than MCF-7 cells in 24 hours incubation time. Conclusions: The results have shown that MDA-MB 468 cells were more sensitive to UV exposure and DNA fragmentation and necrosis pathway was dominant in these cells. © 2015, Iranian Journal of Cancer Prevention

Evaluation of time-stability response of gelatin-Trimesic acid dosimeter

Introduction: One of the problems in chemical dosimeters such as Trimesic acid is the liquid environment which makes it difficult to use. Chemical dosimeter merged into a bed of gel can help to partly overcome this problem.According to the importance of stability of dosimeter response after irradiation, in this study, the parameters of gelatin- Trimesic acid dosimeter in the range of doses of a one fraction of radiotherapy was assessed in days one, two, three and four after irradiation. Materials and Methods: After the gel construction at a concentration of 1 mM and a pH of 2.2, it was poured into Perspex vials which opening was tight with parafilm and wrapped in an aluminum foil to eliminate light and was divided into 5 groups to be irradiated with 6 MV photons of linac 24h after the gel synthesis. To do so, vials were place at the isocenter of the linac in a SSD of 100cm and field size of 10 � 10 cm2. The delivered doses were from 0-200 cGy and vials were kept at the temperature of 4 �C after the irradiation. The procedure of reading the vials were performed using a spectroflourimeter (Jasco 6200) from one to four days after irradiation in excitation wavelengths of 370, 380, 390, 410, 420 and 450 nm. Results: After obtaining the emission spectrum from the spectroflourimeter, the emission spectrum was analyzed and it was found that there is a peak in the wavelengths of 377, 387, 396, 416, 427 and 457 nm seen in one day after irradiation and the most stable response belongs to the first day after irradiation. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the combined gelatin- Trimesic acid dosimeter in the first day after irradiation has the highest and most stable response and according to its characteristics, has the potential to be assessed as a clinical dosimeter. � 2016, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Measurement of surface dose in external radiotherapy of brain frontal lobe: A study on patient and phantom

Introduction: Radiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of most malignant and also benign primary CNS tumors. Radiotherapy affects both tumor cells and normal cells. The aim of this study was to determine the absorbed dose of radiation by the skin surfacing organs at risk (lens, parotid, thyroid and submandibular gland) during radiotherapy of tumors at the frontal lobe of the brain via direct measurement in patients and phantom. Materials and methods: There are two conventional techniques for external radiotherapy of patients with tumors of the right frontal lobe. These techniques were used to estimate the amount of surface dose absorption by organs at risk (lens of eye, parotid, thyroid, submandibular glands). Technique 1 was performed for 10 patients who referred to Reza Radiation Oncology Center. Technique 1 is the radiation of frontal field with an extension to the lateral field portion. Technique I and 2, which included radiation of one frontal field along with a bilateral field were performed for a phantom model with an anthropomorphic head and neck constructed from natural human bone with paraffin wax and NaCl as surrounding soft tissues. The surface dose for each organ was measured using TLD chips. Results: The measured radiation dose within all organs was within the safe limits in phantom and most patients, however, the surface dose were higher in patients in compare to phantom. In some patients, the right lens was not protected and therefore there would be some risk for cataracts. The findings provide estimation for probable complications along with frontal lobe radiotherapy. Conclusion: Our findings showed that regarding these two techniques, technique I impose less harm to normal tissue, since the right lobe of brain is only irradiated. Besides, the higher values of surface dose in patients compared to phantom might be due to larger tumor field in patients, because the tumor dimensions in phantom was considered 4 cm, while in some patients it was larger. © 2015, Singapore Medical Association. All rights reserved

Phylogenetic relationships of Iranian Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) based on deduced amino acid sequences of genome segment A and B cDNA

Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) is the causal agent of a highly contagious disease that affects many species of fish and shellfish. This virus causes economically important diseases of farmed rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in Iran which is often associated with the transmission of pathogens from European resources. In this study, moribund rainbow trout fry were collected during an outbreak of IPNV in three different fish farms in one northern province (Mazandaran), and two west provinces (Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad) of Iran. We investigated full genome sequence of Iranian IPNV and compared it with previously identified IPNV sequences. The sequences of different structural and non-structural protein genes were compared with other aquatic birnaviruses sequenced to date. Our results showed that the Iranian isolate fall within genogroup 5, serotype A2 strain SP, having 99 % identity with the strain 1146 from Spain. These results suggest that the Iranian isolate may have originated from Europe

Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii infection in western Iran: Seroepidemiology and risk factors analysis

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infectious disease, and Toxoplasma gondii is the causative factor of this intracellular protozoan disease. Due to the lack of information about the rate of T. gondii in general papulation of Markazi Province in Iran, the current study was conducted to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and the related risk factor analysis in the general population of Markazi Province. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed within 6 months on individuals who were referred to diagnostic laboratories in Markazi Province. The demographic and background information of the subjects were collected using a questionnaire. Three milliliters of blood samples was collected from the participants under sterile conditions. The sera were separated and evaluated for levels of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The collected data were analyzed by the SPSS software using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results: Out of 824 people from the general population of Markazi Province who were investigated in this study, 276 (33.5) had anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in their blood. According to the logistic regression model, gender variables, location, marital status, and having a cat at home do not affect the chances of contracting the parasite. Furthermore, the chance of contracting the parasite in 41- to 50-year-olds is 0.85 times the one in the 20- to 30-year-olds. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in men and women in Markazi Province was 33 and 34.5, respectively. Conclusion: The mean prevalence of T. gondii infection in the age groups of 20-40, and � 40 years was estimated to be 24.7, and 40.8, respectively. These rates were significantly lower than the national results (44, and 55, respectively). Therefore, regarding to the health authorities, it is necessary to raise the level of awareness of people of the region, especially at-risk groups about the transmittance and prevention methods, and infection risk factors in order to prevent the occurrence of T. gondii infection and reduce the prevalence and incidence of the disease. © 2020 The Author(s)

Estimating the Absorbed Dose to Critical Organs During Dual X-ray Absorptiometry

Objective: The purpose of this study is to estimate a patient's organ dose (effective dose) during performance of dual X-ray absorptiometry by using the correlations derived from the surface dose and the depth doses in an anthropomorphic phantom. Materials and Methods: An anthropomorphic phantom was designed and TLDs (Thermoluminescent Dosimeters) were placed at the surface and these were also inserted at different depths of the thyroid and uterus of the anthropomorphic phantom. The absorbed doses were measured on the phantom for the spine and femur scan modes. The correlation coefficients and regression functions between the absorbed surface dose and the depth dose were determined. The derived correlation was then applied for 40 women patients to estimate the depth doses to the thyroid and uterus. Results: There was a correlation between the surface dose and depth dose of the thyroid and uterus in both scan modes. For the women's dosimetry, the average surface doses of the thyroid and uterus were 1.88 μGy and 1.81 μGy, respectively. Also, the scan center dose in the women was 5.70 μGy. There was correlation between the thyroid and uterus surface doses, and the scan center dose. Conclusion: We concluded that the effective dose to the patient's critical organs during dual X-ray absorptiometry can be estimated by the correlation derived from phantom dosimetry