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Background and purpose: Today sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are the most common infectious disease in the Ünited States infecting 13 million new cases annually. Çonsidering their wide distribution and complications, knowledge about STD transmission, common symptoms and treatment methods are important in their prevention. Hence this study was undertaken to investigate the knowledge and health behaviour of married women about transmission of STD.
Materials and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted by simple sampling and standard questionnaire on 200 married women being referrd to the health service clinics of babol town ship. Questionnaire comprised of demographic, knowledge and performance questions about the reasons of not using condom and regular STD check up. Knowledge and performance were scored using likert scale. X2 and analysis of variation were used for determination of correlation between variables.
Results: The mean age of participants was 28.8 years. 72.5% of the individuls in case group did not have good knowledge. The most familiar STD disease was HÏV (88.5%), and the least were genital wart (40%) and chlamdia (28.5%). The most improper answers were about the ways of transmission, complications and methods of prevention. 60.5% of the cases did not have good practice about the prevention of STD. Ïn other words only 18.5% of women used them as part of pregnancy prevention. 23% of women had regular referring to STD clinics for check up. Level of knowledge showed significant correlation with age, level of education, profession of couples,number of family members,method of prevention and level of performance.
Çonclusion: Despite high prevalence rate of STD in the society, knowledge and practice of women about STD and their prevention methods are weak. Ëstablishment of STD clinics to meet the need of screening, treatment, health education and concepts related to STD is recommended. Ât the same time education should include public and also health workers.

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Background and purpose: This study aimed to determine the origin and distribution of lead, copper, zinc, nickel, chromium and vanadium in surface sediments of Mazandaran coastline (southeastern coast of the Caspian Sea). Materials and methods: Surface sediment samples were collected from four transects in Tonekabon, Noshahr, Babolsar and Amir abad port, at three different depths of 5, 15 and 30 m in July 2012. Metals concentration were determined by ICP - OES. Results: The metals in the studied areas were found to be from natural sources, probably due to weathering of rock and soils erosion transported by rivers into the sea. Significant difference was seen in the mean total concentration of metals along the four transect when the distance from the shore increased. The mean concentration of metals along the coast from east to west showed a significant increase. Among the metals, the highest concentrations was found for zinc (104 μg/g) at 30 m depth in Babolsar transect and the lowest concentration was found for copper (8.72 μg/g) at 5 m depth in Amir abad port transect. Conclusion: Total concentrations of metals were lower than standard levels (SQGs and NOAA). Moreover, the risk assessment code (the presence of metals in the exchangeable fraction) did not show any risk from copper, zinc, nickel, chromium and vanadium, but it showed only a low risk for lead. This study found that the studied metals have low-risk for local environment.

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Background and purpose: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of the widespread and persistent contaminant throughout the nature. The main origin that introduced this contamination to environment is oil and oil products. The main objective of this study was determination of Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) PAHs list compounds in surface sediments of Hara Protected Zone and comparison the results with the standards. Materials and methods: For petroleum pollution risk assessment in the zone, forty-two surface sediments were collected from Qeshm Island and Bandar Khamir, Iran, and sixteen PAHs compounds listed by EPA were determinate in them. The samples were extracted with a Soxhlet extractor device and 300ml dichloromethane and then analyzed with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS). Results: Mean concentration of these 16 compounds was 1470 ± 157 ng/g dry weight. Therefore, the mean concentration of naphthalene as the most toxic and Benzo(a)pyrene as the best known of carcinogen PAHs compounds was 1274 ± 183 and 2.5 ± 0.28 ng/g dry weight, respectively. Conclusion: Results showed that the concentration of total PAHs was below the EPA standard (4000 ng/g dry weight). But concentration of naphthalene as the most toxic of PAH compound was higher than standard (160 ng/g). So concentration of Benzo(a)pyrene as most hazardous of PAHs compound and indicator of environmental contamination with PAHs compounds was lower than standard (430 ng/g).

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Background and purpose: High concentrations of heavy metals have always been a major cause of contamination in aquatic ecosystem. Sturgeons are important sources of food and income throughout the world. In this study, concentrations of Cadmium, Vanadium, Nickel and Zinc (Cd, Ni, V and Zn) were examined in edible and inedible tissues of stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) and beluga (Huso huso) collected from coastal waters of the South Caspian Sea in spring, 2011. Also, the human health risk due to consumption of muscle tissue of stellate sturgeon and beluga were evaluated. Materials and methods: Two species of sturgeons, beluga (n = 4), stellate sturgeon (n = 8), were collected from two of the most important sturgeon fishery zones in Guilan and Golestan provinces and stored at -20°C before chemical analysis. Concentrations of Zn were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer using an air/acetylene flame (Shimadzu, AA-670, Kyoto, Japan). Concentrations of Cd, Ni and V were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (Shimadzu, AA-670G, Kyoto, Japan). Results: Stellate sturgeon liver showed the highest concentrations of Cd, Ni, V (1.70 ± 0.32, 0.87 ± 0.23 and 2.71 ± 1.44 µg/g dry weight, respectively) and highest concentrations of Zinc (182.26 ± 51.87 µg/g dry weight) in beluga heart (P<0.05). The lowest concentrations of Zn and Cd (16.82 ± 4.90 and 0.006 ± 0.002 µg/g dry weight, respectively) in stellate sturgeon and lowest concentrations of Ni and V (0.08 ± 0.02 and 0.17 ± 0.03 µg/g dry weight) were observed in stellate sturgeon heart and beluga heart, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: The mean concentrations of Zn, Cd and V in caviar and muscle samples were lower than the permissible limits proposed by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF 2000) and World Health Organization (WHO). The guidelines for Cd, V and Zn are 0.2, 0.5 and 50 µg/g wet weight, respectively. The measured concentrations for these heavy metals are less than the published guidelines and do not constitute any threat to the human population that may consume these sturgeons obtained from the studied locations.

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Background and purpose: Cognitive models refer to the effect of early maladaptive schemas in formation of psychology pathologies in establishing psychological problems. This study aimed at determining the relation between early maladaptive schemas with procrastination and mental health of medical and non-medical students of Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences. Materials and methods: This correlational descriptive study was done using procrastination questionnaire (GP), early maladaptive schema of Yang (YSQ-SF) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were applied to collect the data. The data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: The subjects included 462 students including 232 medical students and 230 non-medical students who were recruited according to accessibility features. There results showed a significant correlation between early maladaptive schema and procrastination and mental health in medical and non-medical students. Conclusion: This study verified the role of early maladaptive schema in psychological pathology and procrastination. However, further studies should be carried out to define and clarify the cognitive content of any psychological malfunction.

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Background and purpose: Petroleum hydrocarbons might have a natural origin, but human activity is the main source of these pollutants in the environment. This study was done to determine the origin of n-alkanes and PAHs in surface sediments of the southeastern coast of the Caspian Sea. Materials and methods: A total of 12 sediment samples from six stations in Noshahr and Amir Abad ports were collected from 5, 15 and 30 meters depths. The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography. Results: In order to determine the origin of the n-alkanes we used CPI index (0.40-1.20), and biomarkers such as U/R (1.20-5.40), LMW / HMW (1.90-24.00), Pristane and Phytane (0.13-0.65). Also, to identify the source of PAHs the ratios of LMW / HMW (1.31-3.31), Phenanthrene / Anthracene (10.35- 12.88), Fluoranthene/Fl (0-0/43) + Pyrene, Benzo (a) anthracene / Chrysene (0.18-0/39), Fluoranthene / Pyrene (0.002-0.77) and An / An + Phe (0.01-0.09) were used. The results showed that n-alkanes and PAHs in the region both had petrogenic origins. This could be due to the reason that the studied regions are commercial ports with high rate of shipping activities. Conclusion: According to this study oil extraction in the country of Azerbaijan was the main source of oil pollution in the region which polluted the water by anticyclonic flow.

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Background and purpose: Oxidative stress induced by cyclophosphamide (CP), a chemotherapeutic agent, causes vulnerability of sperm and declining the fertility power. Then in this study the effect of crocin (saffron extract) on amelioration of these side effects was investigated. Materials and methods: In this study 24 adult male mice were divided in three groups (n=8). Control group received normal saline (0.2 ml/day, IP), CP group received cyclophosphamide (15 mg/kg/week, IP), and CP+Cr group received crocin (200 mg/kg/day, IP) along with CP for 35 days. Then the animals were euthanized and malondialdehyde (MDA) in testis was assayed. After collection of sperm from caudate of epididymis, the rate of DNA damage was calculated by acridine orange staining. After stimulation of ovulation in 72 female adult mice, oocytes were collected and transferred in HTF medium that contained BSA. Then, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) was done with capacitated sperms. The rate of fertilization and primitive embryonic growth were evaluated for 120 hours. Results: The results showed increase in fertilization, two cell embryos and blastocysts in CP+Cr group compared to those of the CP group (P<0.05). Also, the crocin in CP+Cr group prevented the increase of total number of arrested embryos and percentage of arrested embryos type I, II, and III (P<0.05). Decrease in MDA assay and sperms with damaged DNA were observed more in CP+Cr group (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed the efficiency of crocin in amelioration of fertility and growth of primitive embryo in animals that received CP.

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Background and purpose: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has a broad set of molecules which is essential for neurogenesis. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) are putatively neural crest cell-derived that can differentiate into neurons and glial cells under appropriate neurotrophic factors. The aim of this study was to induce differentiation of hDPSCs into neuroglial phenotypes using Retinoic acid (RA) and CSF.

Materials and methods: The hDPSCs were isolated by mechanical enzymatic digestion from an impacted third molar and cultured. 2 × 10⁵ cells were treated by 10^-7 µM Retinoic acid (RA group) for 8 days, CSF (CSF group) for 8 days and pre-induced with RA for 4 days followed by inducing with CSF for 4 days (RC group). Nestin, βIII-tubulin and GFAP immunostaining were used for evaluating the differentiated cells. Axonal outgrowth was detected using Bielschowsky's silver impregnation method and Nissl bodies were stained in differentiated cells by Cresyl violet. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V.16 applying One-way ANOVA and Chi-square test.

Results: The morphology of differentiated cells in treated groups significantly changed after 3-5 days. The immunocytochemistry results showed that nestin, the neuroprogenitor marker, was observed in all groups. Whereas, a high percentage of nestin positive cells and ΒIII-tubulin, as mature neural markers, were seen at the pre-induction and induction stage, respectively. Nissl bodies were detected as dark-blue particles in the cytoplasm of treated cells.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that the RA as pre-inducer and CSF as inducer could be used for in vitro differentiation of neuroglial cells from hDPSCs.

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Background and purpose: Shadegan wetland as the largest wetland in Iran is constantly exposed to hydrocarbons entering through the main entrance of the lagoon including Jarahi River, outbursts of seasonal rivers from upstream, Persian Gulf tides from downstream, atmospheric deposition, and possible leaks from oil pipelines. The aim of this study was to investigate toxicity and identifying the sources and spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in surface sediments of the study area for its appropriate management.

Materials and methods: Sediment samples were collected (in 2015) from 202 stations at the top 5 cm of the sediment according to a systematic-random sampling design. The concentrations of PAHs were analyzed by GC–MS.

Results: The total PAHs (sum of 30 PAH compounds) ranged from 593.74 to 53393.86 ng/g dw. The results of diagnostic ratios indicated that the study area was highly contaminated by petrogenic hydrocarbon sources. The concentrations of PAHs in this research were substantially higher than those found in many other aquatic systems and significantly more than current sediment quality criteria (ERL).

Conclusion: High levels of petrogenic contamination were found in sediments of Shadegan wetland. A vast majority of the study area (90%) is subjected to chronic pollution of oil contaminants that could adversely affect benthic biota.

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Background and purpose: Amniocentesis is the most commonly used method for diagnosis of aneuploid and other genetic disorders of the fetus. Cautious should be taken when entering the amniocentesis needle to avoid entering the placenta. The purpose of this study was to investigate the consequences of needle transposition from the placenta during amniocentesis.
Materials and methods: In a cohort study, 1000 pregnant women candidates for amniocentesis were selected from Mashhad Perinatology Clinic, 2014-2016. A needle was inserted into the gestational sac and 20cc amniotic fluid was taken, using the ultrasound guidance. Passage or not passage of needle through the placenta was recorded and complications such as abortion, spotting, preterm labor, and rupture of membrane in each group were compared. Data analysis was done in SPSS applying Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, t-test, and Chi-square. The relative risk (RR) was also calculated.
Results: The mean age of participants was 33.4 years old (16-48 years of age). Spotting after amniocentesis was recorded in 1.4% nontransplacental amniocentesis and in 6.1% of transplacental amniocentesis (RR; 6.85, p=0.03). There was no significant relationship between needle passage through the placenta and other complications such as abortion, amnionitis, preterm labor, and amniotic fluid leakage following amniocentesis (p=0.08).
Conclusion: Current findings showed that transplacental amniocentesis increases the probability of spotting following amniocentesis.

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Background and purpose: Physiological changes in pregnancy cause profound challenges to mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of counseling based on Information-Behavioral Motivation Model on health promoting lifestyle behaviors and psychological well-being in overweight and obese pregnant women.
Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed in 137 pregnant women with a BMI ≥25 and 12 to 16 weeks gestational age. The participants were divided into two groups of counseling (n=67) and routine care (n=70). The counseling group attended four sessions of counseling based on the Information-Behavioral Motivation Model, while the other group received routine care. Demographic information was recorded and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile [HPLP II] and Ryff's Psychological Well-being scale were completed before and 8 weeks after the intervention. Descriptive and inferential tests, ANOVA, and Multivariate Covariance Analysis (MANCOVA) were used to analyze the data.
Results: Using the ANCOVA and MANCOVA test after adjusting the pre-intervention scores in both groups, the mean scores for health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and psychological well-being were found to be higher in intervention group compared to those in the group that received routine care (158.72±24.15 vs 141.29±24.88, P <0.001, d= 0.77 and 75.92 ± 7.87 vs. 72.17 ± 11.88, P= 0.04, d= 0.23, respectively).
Conclusion: Consultation based on Information-Behavioral Motivation Model improves health-promoting lifestyle and promotes level of mental well-being.
 
(Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT20120125008822N3)
 

 

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Background and purpose: Today, with the increasing development of psychological interventions, the assessment of mindfulness and its dimensions can be a valuable goal for evaluating interventions in this field. One of the tools made for this purpose is the mindfulness based self-efficacy scale. The present study aimed to assess the psychometric properties (convergent validity, reliability, and factor analysis) of the revised version of the Mindfulness-Based Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES-R) in the student population.
Materials and methods: Using the convenience sampling method, a total of 402 students (with mean age= 22, SD=2.2) of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, including 173 males and 229 females, completed the MSES-R, Self-esteem scale, and Cognitive-affective mindfulness Scale. The obtained data were analyzed with SPSS and AMOS using confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, Pearson correlation, and Cronbach's alpha.
Results: Confirmatory and explanatory factor analysis suggested the fit of six subscales, namely emotion regulation, equanimity, social skills, distress tolerance, responsibility, and interpersonal relationships, and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were obtained at 0.85. 0.80, 0.75, 0.67, 0.71, and 0.65, respectively. Test-retest (two-week) reliability was 0.89. This model explained 64% of the total variance. Significant correlations (sig=0.001) were obtained between the scale and subscales with self-esteem (r=0.57) and the cognitive and emotional scale (r= 0.17), indicating the appropriate convergence validity of MESE-R.
Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, the Persian version of the MSES-R scale is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring mindfulness-based self-efficacy.