مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی اردبیل
پیاپی 87 (بهار 1402)

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection is one of the most important public health concerns. The present study was conducted to provide a descriptive analysis of detected HBV infection in Ardabil province.

In this retrospective longitudinal study, the hepatitis B surveillance database of Ardabil province was examined from 2014 to 2018. The frequency of hepatitis B virus infections was presented based on age, gender, marital status, place of residence, primary symptoms, and reporting sources. Also, the trend of changes in the number of detected cases over time was investigated using time series analysis.

A total of 817 positive cases with a mean age of 43.1 years were reported. Most of them were male [n=503, 61.5]. The Frequency of identified positive cases decreased over time. Most of the infections were asymptomatic [87.5%]. Almost 90.0% of patients with HBV were married and the majority of the identified patients were resided in urban settings [n=598, 73.2%]. Most diagnostic tests were done voluntarily [n=219, 26.8%] or during prenatal care [n=109, 13.3%]. Most cases were identified and reported by the health network [n=292, 35.7%] and blood transfusion organization [n=190, 23.2%].

Decision-makers of the health sector of the province can use this information as a source for evidence-based decision-making in the effective management of the disease.

Maintaining the capacity of mitochondrial biogenesis during aging is considered a key factor to prevent the development of age-related diseases. this study aimed to investigate the effect of 8-weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and hawthorn extract on the peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor-γ gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) proteins levels in the soleus muscle of aged rats.

Thirty-six aged rats were randomly and equally assigned into control (CON), HIIT, extract or combined (COM, HIIT+ extract) groups. The HIIT protocol consisted of 6 to 9 sets×5-min of running on a treadmill, which was performed 4 minutes at 16 m/min and one minuteat a speed velocity of 25 m/min, 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Over the intervention period, rats in the extract and COM groups received 100 mg/kg per day hawthorn. After the interventions, TFAM and PGC-1α protein expression levels were detected in the soleus muscle using the western blotting method.

There was a significant increase in PGC-1α for all interventions when compared to the CON, although this increase in the COM was significantly higher than the other groups. After 8 weeks , there was a significant increase in TFAM level in extract group compared to CON,also, the training groups had more effects on this marker in comparison to the former intervention (p>0.05).

It seems that, 8-weeks of the HIIT+ intake hawthorn is a more efficient approach in improving mitochondrial oxidative capacity compared to HIIT and extract alone.

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder that causes progressive degeneration of neurons, and oxidative stress is increasingly implicated as a factor that contributes to its pathophysiology. Carnosic acid, a compound found in rosemary, can scavenge free radicals in the brain and decrease the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Thus, this study explored the effect of this plant on the improvement of Parkinson’s disease.

The study used 35 male mice that were randomly divided into five groups (n=7 mice each). A control group, a Parkinson's group induced by MPTP toxin, and three groups that received aqueous extracts of rosemary at doses of 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg were included in the study. Measurements were made of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, muscle rigidity, and grip strength. Scores were calculated based on rotational behavior tests and scoring systems.

Rosemary treatment at doses of 150 and 200 mg/kg significantly changed the level of superoxide dismutase activity, muscle rigidity test and rotational behavior of animals relative to the MPTP group. Moreover, the dose of 200 mg/kg of rosemary significantly modified lipid peroxidation relative to the MPTP group, although lipid peroxidation was still significantly higher than the control group.

This study demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Rosemary at a dose of 200 mg/kg can alleviate the signs of Parkinson’s disease and manage the disease.

Designing knee osteoarthritis (KOA) prevention programs requires recognizing modifiable risk factors. This study aimed to determine the frequency of osteoarthritis in patients with knee pain referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ardabil city.

In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 850 patients with knee pain who were referred to the clinic of rheumatology in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ardabil city were studied. Demographic and personal characteristics and medical history of OA were collected from the participants by a checklist. Osteoarthritis was diagnosed based on clinical and radiographic evidence by a rheumatologist.

Of all patients, 310 (36.5%) were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. The most of patients (33.5%) were in the age group of 50-59 years old, women (80.6%) and housewives (29%). 39.9% of all patiens had obesity and most of them (43.2%) have not exercised at any time. A family history of knee osteoarthritis was reported in 45.2% of patients, while a family history of joint replacement was reported in 6.1%. 15.8% of patients reported a history of previous knee trauma. The type of used toilet was traditional in 90.3%.

The frequency of knee OA in our study similar to other studies was at a moderate level and due to regional risk factors, it is suggested to reduce the incidence of KOA by presenting necessary training programs and changing the nutritional patterns of society people.

The present research has investigated the impact of mental health on the behavioral inhibition and professional judgment of certified accountants with an emphasis on conflict theory.

In this descriptive-survey research, using Morgan's table, 306 official accountants working in the audit organization and audit institutes of Tehran in 1400, were selected as a sample by a simple random method. To collect data, standard questionnaires including Goldberg and Hiller's mental health, Goldstone and Parker's behavioral inhibition, Knapp, Gul et al.'s professional judgment, and Vahabzadeh's conflict were used. Structural equation model and SMART PLS3 software were used for data analysis.

The research results indicate that the mental health of certified accountants has a negative effect on the conflict between them and the employer and a positive effect on behavioral inhibition and professional judgment of certified accountants. Their behavioral inhibition has a positive effect on professional judgment and a negative effect on the conflict between them and the managers of the receiving companies. Behavioral inhibition and professional judgment of certified accountants play a mediating role in influencing mental health on the conflict between them and the employer. Also, the professional judgment of certified accountants has a mediating role in influencing behavioral inhibition on the conflict between them and business owners.

According to the obtained results, people with higher mental health and stronger behavioral inhibition ability can make more professional judgments and reduce conflicts with others by using their abilities and mental health and managing their behavior. Resolving conflicts will be more successful.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of self-compassion training on the resilience and quality of life of mothers with mentally retarded children.

The current research was practical in terms of purpose. The research method was experimental with a pre-test-post-test design in two groups. The statistical population of the research was mothers with mentally retarded children in Ardabil city in 1401 and also, the availability sampling method was used. Among the qualified volunteers, 100 people entered the study and were randomly replaced in two groups of 50 people (self-compassion training and control). The self-compassion training group received eight 90-minute sessions. Standard questionnaires on resilience and quality of life were used to collect information. The data collected in the pre-test and post-test stages were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance using SPSS version 26 statistical software.

The findings of the present study showed, there is a significant difference between the control and experiment (p<0.01) groups in the post-test scores in terms of perception of individual competence (F=441.15), trust in individual instincts and tolerance of negative emotions (F=423.05), positive acceptance of change and secure relationships (F=399.82), control (F=261.60) and spiritual effects (F=241.62) variables. Also, in respect of individual physical health (F=66.60), mental health (F=157.29), social relations (F=146.62) and environmental health (F=135.45) variables in the post-test scores, there is a significant difference between control and experiment (p<0.01) groups.

Therefore, it can be concluded that self-compassion training has a positive effect on the dimensions of the resilience of mothers with mentally retarded children and improves individual competence, trust in individual instincts and tolerance of negative emotions, positive acceptance of change and safe relationships, control and spiritual effects. Also, self-compassion training has a positive effect on the dimensions of the quality of life of mothers with mentally retarded children and improves individual physical health, mental health, social relationships and environmental health.

Zinc sulfate binds to the R group of some amino acids, such as histidine and cysteine, resulting in protein precipitation. In an ELISA and colorimetric experiments, we determined the optimal concentration of zinc sulfate to precipitate hemoglobin, which in turn affects the level and activity of Caspase 3 in red blood cells.

Osmotic stress was induced on red blood cells under hypertonic and hypotonic conditions. An isotonic condition was used as a control without osmotic stress. The cells were incubated at 37oC for 15 min and 24 hrs. Different concentrations of zinc sulfate were set up experimentally, stepwise after the lysis of RBC samples with ultrasound waves and removal of cell membranes by centrifugation. Zinc sulfate was allowed to bind to hemoglobin at different time intervals at room temperature. Afterward, hemoglobin was precipitated at various time intervals through centrifugation. The supernatants were then measured by ELISA and colorimetric methods for Caspase 3 level and activity.

The optimal conditions were found to be 6 mM zinc sulfate, 10 min incubation at room temperature to bind zinc sulfate to hemoglobin, and 30 min centrifugation at 3000 rpm to precipitate hemoglobin.

This study showed that zinc sulfate with a concentration of 6 mM precipitates and removes hemoglobin without affecting the level or activity of Caspase 3.

The role of spirituality with its different levels in different countries and societies should be considered for investigating the elderly's health. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate spirituality with a scale specifically designed to measure spirituality. This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Attitudes Related to Spirituality Scale (ARES) in the elderly.

In this psychometrics study, the study population included all the elderly of Ardabil city, among whom 459 individuals were randomly selected to fill ARES. The data was analyzed by SPSS and Amos Software.

The reliability of ARES was 0.94 by Cronbach's alpha. Its construct validity, calculated by confirmatory factor analysis, showed that the model for measuring attitudes related to spirituality in the elderly had a suitable fit and its one-factor structure was confirmed (RMSEA=0.001, GFI=0.99, CFI=1).

The Persian version of the Attitudes Related to Spirituality has a one-factor structure, and could be used in psychological studies in Iranian samples due to its acceptable necessary validity and reliability.