The relationship between religion and risky behaviors among Iranian university students

One factor that protects an individual from risky behavior is religiosity, which is referred to as a shield against risky behaviors. Belief in God and religion plays an important role in young people’s lives, and in comparison with their non-religious peers. They engage less frequently in risky behaviors, such as violence and sexual relations. The present study investigated the relationship between religiosity and engagement in risky behaviors among students from the Pishva branch of the Islamic Azad University, Tehran Province in Iran. This is a descriptive, analytic cross-sectional study. The sample was comprised of 448 students from different degree majors attending the University. Participants completed two questionnaires, including the Risk-Taking Scale and Duke University Religion Index. The data analyses used one-way ANOVAs and Pearson’s correlations. This study found that students who engaged more often in organized religious activities and had higher intrinsic religiosity were less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as sexual risk taking, careless driving, violence, smoking, along with alcohol and drug abuse. Participants with higher involvement in private religious activities reported lower tendencies for the above-mentioned risky behaviors, except sexual risk taking. The findings of this study indicate that the different dimensions of religiousness are related to students’ tendency to avoid risky behavior. Thus, it appears that religion may have a role to play in preventing risky taking behavior in Iran

Mass screening of different rice genotypes to rice striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis Walker (Lep.: Pyralidae), under the field condition

In this study, a total of 98 Iranian and exotic rice genotypes were tested for their resistance to the Striped Stem Borer, Chilo suppressalis, under field conditions in Rice Research Institute of Iran, Mazandaran branch, Amol. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete blocks design and three replications. At the reproductive stage, five whole plants per plot were randomly selected and cut off at the base, and percent of white head, number of larvae per hill, plant height, stem diameter, and tiller number per hill were measured. The rice genotypes Novator, G2-Gan74, Estrella, Rashtline-1, and IR72860, had the lowest amount of percent of white head, with means of 1.6%, 2.7%, 2.3%, 2.8%, and 3.2%, respectively, and the genotypes IR72-B, Iranian-New-Hybrid, Fars promising line, IR64-MutantW, IR50 had the highest amount of percent of white head with means of 43.5%, 43.4%, 37.6%, 35.8 %, and 34.8%, respectively. Moreover, genotypes Novator, Estrella and G2-Gan74 had the lowest mean larvae per a whole plant (0.1, 0.1 and 0.2, respectively), while genotypes Chinese-Hybrid1, IR72-B, and Binam had the highest mean larvae per a whole plant, with means of 10.3, 9.7, and 8.9, respectively. Rasht-Line-1 had the lowest mean plant height (74.4 cm), Fars promising line had the lowest mean number of tillers per hill (9.13), and Iranian New-Hybrid had the lowest mean stem diameter (4.44 mm). On the other hand, the Tarom-ARG2 genotypes had the highest mean plant height (138.26 cm), Sahel had the highest mean number of tillers per hill (17.6), and Dorfak had the highest mean stem diameter (12.72 mm).There were significant correlations between percent white head and the number of larvae per a whole plant, and between percent white head and number of tillers per hill, but there no significant correlations was found with plant height and stem diameter. The rice genotypes were grouped on Ward’s clustering procedure into two main clusters, totally four sub-cluster. The rice genotypes such as Novator, Estrella, Rashtline-1 were found to be less sensitive to Chilo suppressalis. Also, in this study, 19 rice genotypes including Novator, Estrella, G2-Gan74, Rashtline-1, Shirodi, Nemat, IR64-Mutant-F3076, MashhadDomsiah/Neda, {(A78.1/LocalAbiji)/(khazar/Tarom)} were recognized as resistant genotypes at field condition. Some of them can be tested in further experiments

The reference value of trabecular bone score (TBS) in the Iranian population

Trabecular bone score (TBS), as a tool for measurement of bone microarchitecture, represents fracture risk independently of bone density. The aim of this study was to estimate the reference values of TBS in both genders among the Iranian population to evaluate osteoporotic fractures in the future. Methods: The study was performed on healthy Iranian subjects who live in urban areas of Bushehr city, the capital of Bushehr province in southwestern Iran. The participants in this study were selected through a multistage, age and sex stratified, cluster random sampling. The TBS of L1-L4 was assessed by spine DXA images using TBS iNsight software (Discovery WI, Hologic Inc, USA). Age-related models of TBS were constructed using piecewise linear regression analysis. Results: In total, 691 participants aged ≥ 18 years (381 men and 310 women) were selected for the study. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of TBS value for men was 1.420 ± 0.094 and the age at the peak TBS was 30.0 years. Among women, the corresponding value for the mean of TBS was 1.428 ± 0.070 and the age at the peak TBS was 24.5 years. Two SDs below the mean of TBS were 1.326 in men and 1.357 in women. Therefore, the following normal range for TBS values has been proposed: Among men, TBS ≥ 1.326 is considered to be normal; TBS between 1.231 and 1.326 is considered to be partially degraded microarchitecture; and TBS ≤ 1.231defined degraded microarchitecture. Among women, TBS categories are defined as normal ≥ 1.357, partially degraded between 1.287 and 1.357 and degraded ≤ 1.287. Conclusions: This was the first study to propose evaluation of the normal range for TBS values in both genders in the Middle- East and Iran. According to our results: TBS ≤ 1.231 in men and TBS ≤ 1.287 in women is considered to be degraded microarchitecture among the Iranian population

Abandoned Covid-19 personal protective equipment along the Bushehr shores, the Persian Gulf: An emerging source of secondary microplastics in coastlines

During the Covid-19 pandemic, personal protection equipment (PPE) was widely used to control the virus further spared. In this study, the presence of PPE wastes along the coastline of Bushehr port, the Persian Gulf from nine stations was investigated (4 times during 40 days), and their potential for microplastics (MPs) creation was preliminarily assessed. In total, more than 2380 PPE were collected in the study area. No significant differences were found between various beaches regarding their types and common activities. In addition, the estimated disposal rate of PPE per day and year is 350 and 127,750 items, respectively. More than 10% of the collected PPE from Bushehr's coastal areas on each sampling day were damaged. Based on the microscopic analysis, the left surgical masks and torn plastic gloves in the coastal regions are emerging sources of secondary microfibers and MP particles (mostly fragments and films) in the marine environments, respectively

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells and their exosomes for restoration of spermatogenesis in non-obstructive azoospermia: a systemic review

Stem cells have been introduced as new promising therapeutic agents in treatment of degenerative diseases because of having high differentiation potential while maintaining the ability to self-replicate and retaining features of their source cells. Among different type of cell therapies, mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSC) therapy is being increasingly developed as a new way to treat structural defects that need to be repaired and regenerated. Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a reproductive disease in men that causes infertility in 10% of infertile men. Based on in vitro studies, MSCs from different tissue sources have been differentiated into germ cells or gamete progenitor cells by simple methods in both male and female. On the other hand, the therapeutic effects of MSCs have been evaluated for the treatment of NOA animal models created by chemical or surgical compounds. The results of these studies confirmed successful allotransplantation or xenotransplantation of MSCs in the seminiferous tubules. As well, it has been reported that exosomes secreted by MSCs are able to induce the process of spermatogenesis in the testes of infertile animal models. Despite numerous advances in the treatment of reproductive diseases in men and women with the help of MSCs or their exosomes, no clinical trial has been terminated on the treatment of NOA. This systematic review attempts to investigate the possibility of MSC therapy for NOA in men

Grand multiparity associations with low bone mineral density and degraded trabecular bone pattern

Introduction: Pregnancy is associated with changes in bone remodeling and calcium metabolism, which may increase the risk of fragility fracture after menopause. We hypothesized that in postmenopausal women, with history of grand multiparity, the magnitude of trabecular bone deterioration is associated with number of deliveries. Methods: 1217 women aged 69.2 ± 6.4 years, from the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program were recruited. The areal bone mineral density (aBMD) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck and trabecular bone score (TBS) of 916 postmenopausal women, with grand multiparity defined as more than 4 deliveries, were compared with those of 301 postmenopausal women with 4 or fewer deliveries. The association of multiparity with aBMDs and TBS were evaluated after adjustment for possible confounders including age, years since menopause, body mass index, and other relevant parameters. Results: The aBMD of femoral neck (0.583 ± 0.110 vs. 0.603 ± 0.113 g/cm2), lumbar spine (0.805 ± 0.144 vs. 0.829 ± 0.140 g/cm2) and TBS (1.234 ± 0.086 vs. 1.260 ± 0.089) were significantly lower in women with history of grand multiparity than others. In the multiple regression analysis, after adjusting for confounders, the negative association did persist for lumbar spine aBMD (beta = −0.02, p value = 0.01), and the TBS (beta = −0.01, p value = 0.03), not for femoral neck aBMD. Conclusion: We infer that grand multiparity have deleterious effects on the aBMD and the trabecular pattern of the lumbar spine

Associations between the lipid profile and the lumbar spine bone mineral density and trabecular bone score in elderly Iranian individuals participating in the Bushehr Elderly Health Program: a population-based study

Summary: We hypothesized that the lipid profile or dyslipidemia may have an influence on the bone mineral density and bone microstructure in an elderly Iranian population. The results of this study showed some significant associations between the serum lipid levels and the lumbar spine and femoral areal bone mineral densities and the trabecular bone score (TBS). Purpose: Serum lipid abnormalities are possible risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. Our aim was to evaluate the associations between the lipid profile and the areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and trabecular bone score in an elderly Iranian population. Methods: The study subjects included 2426 elderly women and men participating in the second stage of the Bushehr Elderly Health program, a population-based prospective cohort study. The aBMDs of the lumbar spine and femoral neck and the lumbar spine texture were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and the TBS algorithm, respectively. The associations between the lipid profiles and the aBMDs and TBSs were examined using multivariable linear regression analyses stratified by sex and adjusted for potential confounders. Results: In men, we found negative correlations between the lumbar spine aBMD and TBS and the total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (TC: p < 0.001 and p < 0.006, HDL-C: p = 0.002 and p = 0.004, and LDL-C: p < 0.001 and p < 0.009, respectively). However, only the HDL-C level was negatively associated with the aBMD in women (p = 0.016). A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between the serum triglyceride (TG) level and the aBMD in the women (p < 0.001). The TG level and the TBS were not statistically significantly correlated in either sex, and the TBS was not correlated with any of the lipid values in women. Conclusion: The results of this study showed some significant but generally weak associations between the lipid profile and the aBMD. The associations that were significant for both the men and the women included positive associations between the TG level and the femoral neck aBMD, as well as the HDL-C level and the femoral neck and lumbar spine aBMD

Cardio-metabolic and socio-demographic risk factors associated with dependency in basic and instrumental activities of daily living among older Iranian adults: Bushehr elderly health program

Background: Iran’s population is aging. Disability is a major public health problem for older adults, not only in Iran but all over the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cardio-metabolic and socio-demographic risk factors and disability in people 60 years and older in Iran. Methods: The baseline (cross-sectional) data of 2426 samples from the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program was included in the analysis. The participants were selected through multi-stage random sampling in Bushehr, southern Iran. Socio-demographic characteristics, as well as the history of diabetes and other chronic diseases, and smoking were measured using standardized questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests were performed under standard conditions. Dependency was determined by the questionnaires of basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) using Barthel and Lawton scales respectively. Multiple logistic regression was used in the analysis. Results: Mean (Standard Deviation) of the participants’ age was 69.3 (6.4) years (range: 60 and 96 years), and 48.1% of the participants were men. After adjusting for potential confounders, being older, being female (OR (95%CI): 2.3 (1.9–2.9)), having a lower education level, a history of diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.4 (1.2–1.7)) and past smoking (OR: 1.3 (1.0–1.6)), and no physical activity (OR: 1.5 (1.2–1.9)) were significantly associated with dependency in IADL. Also, being older and female (OR: 2.4 (1.9–3.0)), having a lower education level, no physical activity (OR: 2.2 (1.6–2.9)) and daily intake of calories (OR: 0.99 (0.99–0.99)) were associated with dependency in BADL. Conclusion: Dependency in older adults can be prevented by increasing community literacy, improving physical activity, preventing and controlling diabetes mellitus, avoiding smoking, and reducing daily calorie intake

Prevalence of Osteosarcopenia and Its Association with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Iranian Older People: Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) Program

Osteosarcopenia is an increasingly recognized geriatric syndrome with a considerable prevalence which increases morbidity and mortality. Although osteosarcopenia is a result of age-related deterioration in muscle and bone, there are many risk factors that provoking osteosarcopenia. These risk factors should be considered by the clinicians to treat osteosarcopenia. We assessed the link between osteosarcopenia and conventional risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. This study was a cross-sectional study that has been conducted within the framework of Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program stage II in which participants aged ≥ 60 years were included. Osteopenia/osteoporosis was defined as a t-score ≤ − 1.0 standard deviation below the mean values of a young healthy adult. We defined sarcopenia as reduced skeletal muscle mass plus low muscle strength and/or low physical performance. Osteosarcopenia was considered as the presence of both osteopenia/osteoporosis and sarcopenia. We estimated the age-standardized prevalence of osteosarcopenia for men and women, separately. Using modified Poisson regression analysis, adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) with 95% CI was used to show the measure of associations in the final model. Among 2353 participants, 1205 (51.2%) were women. Age-standardized prevalence of osteosarcopenia was 33.8 (95% CI 31.0–36.5) in men and 33.9 (30.9–36.8) in women. In both sexes, the inverse association was detected with body mass index and having osteosarcopenia (PR 0.84, 95% CI 0.81–0.88 in men and 0.77, 95% CI 0.74–0.80 in women). In both sexes, high-fat mass was positively associated with osteosarcopenia [PR 1.46 (95% CI 1.11–1.92) in men, and 2.25 (95% CI 1.71–2.95) in women]. Physical activity had a significant inverse association in men (PR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.46, 0.88), but not in women. Diabetes was also showed a direct association with osteosarcopenia in men (PR 1.33, 95% CI 1.04–1.69). No associations were detected between the lipid profiles and osteosarcopenia. Results demonstrated a high prevalence of osteosarcopenia in both sexes suggesting a high disease burden in a rapidly aging country. Lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, as well as chronic diseases, were significantly associated with osteosarcopenia

The association of tobacco smoking and bone health in the elderly population of Iran: results from Bushehr elderly health (BEH) program

Smoking has been linked with osteoporosis, but further evidence is required, especially concerning the effects of different types of tobacco smoking. We sought to examine the association between smoking and bone health in a large cohort of elderly Iranians. Methods: The data from 2377 participants aged >60 years of Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program were used. Regardless of the type of smoking, participants were initially classified as non-smokers, ex-smokers and current smokers. Current smokers were also categorized based on the smoking type (pure cigarette, pure hookah and both). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate bone density as well as Trabecular Bone Score (TBS). T-score ≤ −2.5 in either of the femoral neck, total hip or spinal sites was applied to determine the osteoporosis. The association of smoking and osteoporosis was assessed using multivariable modified Poisson regression model and reported as adjusted prevalence ratios (APR). The linear regression model was used to assess the association between smoking and TBS, adjusting for potential factors. Results: A total of 2377 (1225 women) were enrolled [mean age: 69.3 (±6.4) years], among which 1054 (44.3%) participants were nonsmokers. In all, 496 (20.9%) participants were current smokers. Multivariable regression analysis revealed no significant association between smoking (either current or past) and osteoporosis in women. In men, current smoking was negatively associated with osteoporosis (APR: 1.51, 95%CI: 1.16–1.96). Among current users, cigarette smoking was associated with osteoporosis (APR: 1.57, 95%CI: 1.20–2.03); however, we could not detect a significant association between current smoking of hookah and osteoporosis. In men, a significant association was also detected between current cigarette smoking and TBS (coefficient: -0.03, 95%CI: −0.01, −0.04). Conclusion: Current cigarette smoking is associated with both the quantity and quality of bone mass in elderly men. Although we could not detect a significant association between hookah and osteoporosis in men, considering the prevalence of hookah smoking in the middle eastern countries, further studies are needed to determine the effect of hookah smoking on bone health