Morphologic changes in the brain through aging, as a physiologic process, may involve a wide range of variables including ventricular dilation, and sulcus widening. This study reports normal ranges of these changes as standard criteria.Normal brain computed tomography scans of 400 patients (200 males, 200 females) in every decade of life (20 groups each containing 20 participants) were investigated for subcortical/cortical atrophy (bicaudate width [BCW], third ventricle width [ThVW], maximum length of lateral ventricle at cella media [MLCM], bicaudate index [BCI], third ventricle index [ThVI], and cella media index 3 [CMI3], interhemispheric sulcus width [IHSW], right hemisphere sulci diameter [RHSD], and left hemisphere sulci diameter [LHSD]), ventricular symmetry. Distribution and correlation of all the variables were demonstrated with age and a multiple linear regression model was reported for age prediction. Among the various parameters of subcortical atrophy, BCW, ThVW, MLCM, and the corresponding indices of BCI, ThVI, and CMI3 demonstrated a significant correlation with age (R 2 ≥0.62). All the cortical atrophy parameters including IHSW, RHSD, and LHSD demonstrated a significant correlation with age (R 2 ≥0.63). This study is a thorough investigation of variables in a normal brain which can be affected by aging disclosing normal ranges of variables including major ventricular variables, derived ventricular indices, lateral ventricles asymmetry, cortical atrophy, in every decade of life introducing BW, ThVW, MLCM, BCI, ThVI, CMI3 as most significant ventricular parameters, and IHSW, RHSD, LHSD as significant cortical parameters associated with age.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a zinc and calcium-dependent proteolytic enzyme involved in extracellular matrix degradation. Overexpression of MMP-9 has been confirmed in several disorders, including cancers, Alzheimer′s disease, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and dental caries. Therefore, MMP-9 inhibition is recommended as a therapeutic strategy for combating various diseases. Cinnamic acid derivatives have shown therapeutic effects in different cancers, Alzheimer′s disease, cardiovascular diseases, and dental caries. A computational drug discovery approach was performed to evaluate the binding affinity of selected cinnamic acid derivatives to the MMP-9 active site. The stability of docked poses for top-ranked compounds was also examined. Twelve herbal cinnamic acid derivatives were tested for possible MMP-9 inhibition using the AutoDock 4.0 tool. The stability of the docked poses for the most potent MMP-9 inhibitors was assessed by molecular dynamics (MD) in 10 nanosecond simulations. Interactions between the best MMP-9 inhibitors in this study and residues incorporated in the MMP-9 active site were studied before and after MD simulations. Cynarin, chlorogenic acid, and rosmarinic acid revealed a considerable binding affinity to the MMP-9 catalytic domain (ΔGbinding < –10 kcal/ mol). The inhibition constant value for cynarin and chlorogenic acid were calculated at the picomolar scale and assigned as the most potent MMP-9 inhibitor from the cinnamic acid derivatives. The root-mean-square deviations for cynarin and chlorogenic acid were below 2 Å in the 10 ns simulation. Cynarin, chlorogenic acid, and rosmarinic acid might be considered drug candidates for MMP-9 inhibition.

Purpose: Hemorrhoids are the most common benign anorectal diseases. Mucopexy strengthens the anal canal mucosa, which can be performed alone or in combination with Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation (DG-HAL). In this study, we compared the postoperative complications between simple mucopexy plus HAL with and without a Doppler guide. Methods: This study was performed as a single-blinded randomized clinical trial. Patients referred to a tertiary colorectal referral clinic with grades 3 and 4 hemorrhoids who were candidates for surgical intervention entered the study. Thirty-six patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A including 18 patients underwent mucopexy and DG-HAL and the other 18 patients (group B) underwent standard mucopexy and HAL without a Doppler guide. Postoperative pain score and the duration of oral analgesic consumption were recorded. Additionally, postoperative symptoms and complications were recorded and compared between the 2 methods. Results: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of pain score and the duration of postoperative analgesic consumption as well as the incidence of postoperative complications. Besides, the primary grade of hemorrhoids was not significantly associated with recurrence, but there was a significant association between body mass index and Wexner score (WS) with recurrence. The mean WS of patients showed a significant decrease in both groups postoperatively. However, the rate of WS reduction was not remarkably different between the 2 groups. Conclusion Simple mucopexy with blind HAL (without Doppler guide) might be considered for the treatment of grades 3 and 4 hemorrhoids effectively.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness and safety of essential oil from Citrus aurantium on anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted in 80 patients experiencing coronary angiography in Imam Ali Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran from April to November in 2016. All patients were randomly divided into intervention and control groups by a random number table, 40 cases in each group. The patients in the intervention group inhaled Citrus aurantium essential oil for 15-20 min about 60 min before angiography. Following the same procedure, distilled water was used instead of Citrus aurantium in the control group. Spielbergers State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was filled in and vital signs including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), respiratory and pulse rate were recorded before and 20 min after the intervention. Adverse reactions after intervention were observed. RESULTS: In the intervention group, the mean scores of STAI, SBP, DBP, respiratory and pulse rate were 53.30 ± 10.13, 134.82 ± 11.75 mm Hg, 84.49 ± 6.99 mm Hg, 17.87 ± 1.73 times/min, and 76.48 ± 12.55 beats/min at baseline and significantly decreased to 42.37 ± 10.15, 124.49 ± 10.48 mm Hg, 79.23 ± 6.62 mm Hg, 14.54 ± 1.43 times/min, and 70.03 ± 13.66 beats/min respectively 20 min after intervention (all P<0.05); however, in the control group, neither anxiety scores nor vital signs changed significantly (P>0.05). All subjects reported no adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Inhalation of the essential oil from Citrus aurantium was effective in reducing anxiety and stress levels in patients undergoing coronary angiography. TRIAL REGISTRATION IRCT2016040816797N2 (retrospectively registered on 21 April 2016, https://en.irct.ir/trial/15600 ).

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a serious public health problem accompanies with several complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium picolinate (CrPic) supplementation on the glycemic status and lipid profile in patients with T2DM. The patients with T2DM (n = 52) were randomly allocated into 2 groups. One group received 400 μg CrPic per day and the other group took placebo; the intervention duration was 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices and metabolic factors were measured at the beginning, and at end of the study. The patients were recommended not to change their normal diet, life style and medication. No significant changes were observed for weight, body mass index, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) in both groups; while intra-groups changes in homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value was significant (p < 0.05). Results of analysis of covariance showed that there were significance differences between groups in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and HOMA-IR at the end of the intervention adjusting for baseline levels (p = 0.035, 0.030 and < 0.001, respectively). In this study, oral supplementation with 400 μg CrPic for eight weeks did not alter FBG concentration as well as anthropometric parameters in individuals with T2DM. However, the modest beneficial effects of chromium supplementation on insulin resistance as indicated by HOMA-IR and lipid profile were found.

To explore the spatial accumulation of diseases and their aggravating factors are essential in all public health. This study attempts to use geographic information system (GIS) to provide more information about the incidence and future of anthrax. Methods: Patients were diagnosed with anthrax in Kurdistan Province from 2009 to 2016. Data was then exported into ArcGIS software version 9 and the required layers for years and areas were added.Final map for each year was drawn up, pointing out the hot spots and predicting its future pattern. Results: Most cases were reported in females (57 cases, 54.80 %), and the lower body limbs were most affected (63 cases, 60.57%). The highest numbers of incidences were related to the cities of Marivan, Saqez and Divandareh, with more concentration in the central parts of the province, rather than borderline areas. The highest percentage of the probable incidence of the disease was in Sanandaj (57.74%) with a potential susceptible area of 1 729.12 km

Caesarean section without medical indication imposes many problems to families, personnel and medical equipment causing some side effects to pregnant woman and foetus, compared to natural childbirth. The present study aimed to evaluate the interventions in reducing caesarean section in the world. This study was a systematic review using Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Magiran and SID databases and grey literature. All studies conducted during 2000–2018 were reviewed and finally the studies with inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. A total of 19 studies were selected among 5,559 studies. The interventions conducted for reducing caesarean section included training the specialists and women by using Six Sigma method, changing the guidelines, reviewing the definition of natural childbirth various stages, encouraging the natural childbirth and expanding painless childbirth. All interventions were divided into educational strategy and managerial strategy. The interventions can be implemented to change the behaviour of physicians and attitude of pregnant women in order to reduce caesarean section. In this regard, the authorities are recommended to make more efforts.

Ovarian aging is related to the reduction of oocyte quality and ovarian follicles reservation leading to infertility. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant which may counteract with adverse effects of aging in the ovary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of vitamin C on NMRI mice ovarian aging according to the stereological study. In this experimental study, 36 adult female mice (25–30 g) were divided into two groups: control and vitamin C. Vitamin C (150 mg/kg/day) were administered by oral gavage for 33 weeks. Six animals of each group were sacrificed on week 8, 12, and 33, and right ovary samples were extracted for stereology analysis. Our data showed that the total volume of ovary, cortex, medulla and corpus luteum were significantly increased in vitamin C group in comparison to the control groups (P≤0.05). In addition, the total number of primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles as well as granulosa cells were improved in vitamin C group in compared to the control groups (P≤0.05). No significant difference was observed in total volume of oocytes in antral follicles between control and vitamin C groups. Our data showed that vitamin C could notably compensate undesirable effects of ovarian aging in a mouse model.
Adult ; Aging ; Animals ; Ascorbic Acid ; Corpus Luteum ; Female ; Granulosa Cells ; Humans ; Infertility ; Mice ; Oocytes ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary ; Vitamins

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explain the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) gap between the poorest and the wealthiest quintiles in the capitals of Kermanshah and Kurdistan Provinces (Kermanshah and Sanandaj), in western Iran. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 1772 adults. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status (SES), lifestyle factors, body mass index, and HRQoL of participants were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The slope and relative indices of inequality (SII and RII, respectively) were employed to examine socioeconomic inequality in poor HRQoL. Blinder-Oaxaca (BO) decomposition was used to quantify the contribution of explanatory variables to the gap in the prevalence of poor HRQoL between the wealthiest and the poorest groups. RESULTS: The overall crude and age-adjusted prevalence of poor HRQoL among adults was 32.0 and 41.8%, respectively. The SII and RII indicated that poor HRQoL was mainly concentrated among individuals with lower SES. The absolute difference (%) in the prevalence of poor HRQoL between the highest and lowest SES groups was 28.4. The BO results indicated that 49.9% of the difference was explained by different distributions of age, smoking behavior, physical inactivity, chronic health conditions, and obesity between the highest and lowest SES groups, while the remaining half of the gap was explained by the response effect. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a pro-rich distribution of poor HRQoL among adults in the capitals of Kermanshah and Kurdistan Provinces. Policies and strategies aimed at preventing and reducing smoking, physical inactivity, chronic health conditions, and obesity among the poor may reduce the gap in poor HRQoL between the highest and lowest SES groups in Iran.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Health Status Disparities ; Humans ; Iran* ; Life Style ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Social Class ; Socioeconomic Factors*

No abstract available.