Objective: In this study we investigated the epidemiology of MS and some related environmental factors in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. Methods: The MS diagnosis was based on the revised Mc-Donald criteria. The patients were those registered at the Iran MS society, Kerman branch; those in the MS registration centers of Kerman and Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, and the Department of Neurology at Shafa Medical Center were studied. Results: The prevalence of MS was 31.5 per 100,000 population in Kerman province, and 57.3 per 100,000 population in Kerman city. The male to female ratio was 1:3. Average age at onset was 28.35 years, and 3.9% of cases were early onset at ≤16 years of age. A linear relationship was observed between prevalence and average environmental temperature as prevalence tended to be lower in areas where the annual average temperature was higher. However, in the town of Shahrbabak which has cold weather, prevalence was low, which might be related to the presence of copper in this area. Average disability was 4.5± 1.9 (4.83 ± 1.9 in men and 4.26 ± 1.8 in women, p=0.0035) on the Kurtzke Disability Status Scale. The mean duration of illness was 8.2 ± 1 year. Almost all patients in this study used beta-interferon for a period of at least 4 years. Conclusion: The prevalence of MS in Kerman province was 31.5 per 100,000 people. A linear relationship between an increase in prevalence and low average temperature was observed. Copper may have a preventive effect.

Drug resistance is a great challenge in cancer therapy using chemotherapeutic agents.Administration of these drugs with siRNA is an efficacious strategy in this battle.Here,the present study tried to incor-porate siRNA and paclitaxel(PTX)simultaneously into a novel nanocarrier.The selectivity of carrier to target cancer tissues was optimized through conjugation of folic acid(FA)and glucose(Glu)onto its surface.The structure of nanocarrier was formed from ternary magnetic copolymers based on FeCo-polyethyleneimine(FeCo-PEI)nanoparticles and polylactic acid-polyethylene glycol(PLA-PEG)gene delivery system.Biocompatibility of FeCo-PEI-PLA-PEG-FA(NPsA),FeCo-PEI-PLA-PEG-Glu(NPsB)and FeCo-PEI-PLA-PEG-FA/Glu(NPsAB)nanoparticles and also influence of PTX-loaded nanoparticles on in vitro cytotoxicity were examined using MTT assay.Besides,siRNA-FAM internalization was investi-gated by fluorescence microscopy.The results showed the blank nanoparticles were significantly less cytotoxic at various concentrations.Meanwhile,siRNA-FAM/PTX encapsulated nanoparticles exhibited significant anticancer activity against MCF-7 and BT-474cell lines.NPsAB/siRNA/PTX nanoparticles showed greater effects on MCF-7 and BT-474 cells viability than NPsA/siRNA/PTX and NPsB/siRNA/PTX.Also,they induced significantly higher anticancer effects on cancer cells compared with NPsA/siRNA/PTX and NPsB/siRNA/PTX due to their multi-targeted properties using FA and Glu.We concluded that NPsAB nanoparticles have a great potential for co-delivery of both drugs and genes for use in gene therapy and chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Since the presence of a co-driver can be considered as a companion, partner, or friend for a driver through eliminating driver's loneliness, it plays a significant role in health and safety of drivers. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of co-drivers on depression and occupational stress on male truck drivers. METHODS: This study was an interventional case-control study. Seventy truck drivers were selected and divided into two groups: case (33 truck drivers with co-drivers) and control (37 truck drivers without co-drivers). Two Goldberg depression inventories (for evaluating driver's depression) and the Karasek job content questionnaire (for evaluating driver's job stress) were used to collect data which were completed by interview. RESULTS: The results showed that job content values for the case group were higher in all dimensions except job nature. The comparison of the percentages showed significant difference between two groups. Depression rate in drivers with co-driver is truly less than depression rate in drivers without co-driver. There was significant positive relationship between dimensions of job content and depression rate. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, it can be claimed that a co-driver decreases stress and loneliness of drivers, as well as increases work performance and job satisfaction, and, in turn, leads to a decrease in job-related depression.
Case-Control Studies ; Depression ; Equipment and Supplies ; Friends ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Loneliness ; Male ; Motor Vehicles ; Work Performance

Background & Objective: This study aimed to find a biomarker to predict the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Serum levels of vitamin D3, C-reactive protein (CRP) and melatonin and their ratio were evaluated to find the valuable cut-off point. Methods: Serum levels of vitamin D3, CRP and melatonin were evaluated using commercial ELISA kit in newly diagnosed MS patients and compared with healthy controls. Results: Serum CRP level significantly increased and serum melatonin level significantly decreased in MS patients in comparison to controls. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy for the cut-off point of CRP/melatonin ratio ≥ 78.29087 were 80%. Conclusion: CRP/melatonin ratio ≥ 78.29087 may be used for prediction of MS in an at risk population