Crescent Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences
Volume:7 Issue: 1, Jan 2020

Preterm birth has been increased over the last two decades, thus leading to higher admissions of preterm infants to the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The design of NICUs may have several consequences for the health of infants, parents, and staff. In addition, it has gone through numerous changes in recent years, including the single-family room (SFR). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using SFRs in the NICUs on the environmental (outcomes related to NICU environmental features) and clinical outcomes of the infants. Further, the present systematic review study was based on English papers about utilizing SFRs in the NICUs published during 2012-17. The papers were collected by searching the keywords “neonatal intensive care unit”, “single-family room”, “preterm infants”, “parents’ perspective”, “staff’s perspective”, “infant outcomes”, and “open-ward care unit” in ISI, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Magiran, and OVID database. The findings showed that applying SFRs improves clinical and environmental outcomes and that the staff and parents have a positive attitude toward this method. Besides, it costs the same as or even in some models less than the open-ward method and is considered a cost-effective method. Although a consensus may not be achieved on some issues such as maternal stress, language and motor development, intellectual maturation, and to some extent nurses’ satisfaction, in general, using the SFR in the NICUs enhances clinical and environmental outcomes and there is a positive attitude towards this method

The prevalence of drug abuse among pregnant women is increasing worldwide, putting their infants at the risk of many disorders. Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is considered as a neurological disorder in infants who are exposed to narcotics during pregnancy. Breastfeeding is implicated to markedly reduce the incidence and severity of the NAS, as well as the need for therapeutic agents. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and the hospital stay of infants with NAS, as well as the challenges ahead and solutions to extend the lactation period in drug-addicted mothers.

A number of review articles indexed in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Medline databases were scrutinized in this study. The chosen review articles surveyed experimental/quasi-experimental studies that were published during 2004-2018 using keywords including NAS, drug-addicted mothers, exclusive breastfeeding barriers, and continued breastfeeding.

According to the results, the duration of continued breastfeeding in drug-addicted women was short and it failed in the first six months after delivery. The critical factors interfering with continued breastfeeding were categorized into individual, family, and social barriers. In addition, social barriers consisted of fear and misconception about lactation, the lack of awareness and motivation, along with the lack of family support and health care centers. The findings suggest that mother’s training during the pregnancy, mother-infant rooming-in, and mother-infant skin-to-skin contact could be potentially applied to extend the duration of the lactation in drug-addicted pregnant women.

In general, hospitals should provide a comfortable environment to encourage drug-addicted women to breastfeed infants with the NAS. It seems that providing resources and facilities where drug-addicted women could discuss barriers to breastfeeding, as well as gaining access to lactation counselors and other professional practitioners would help mothers to continue breastfeeding.

Traditional, topically used oral medicaments are of great importance in the treatment of both oral and systemic diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the indications of various drug delivery forms and active ingredients of currently used medications in complementary medicine, as well as the results of recent research to find any possible conformity between their traditional and recent pharmaceutical properties.

In this review article, different resources including electronica databases, hand searching, the screening of reference lists and contacting experts were extensively performed, followed by categorizing the extracted data.

Based on the results, 6 drug forms were found in gaseous, liquid, and solid states with more than 70 formulations. Liquid and gaseous forms were mainly used to manage systemic conditions and solid forms were mainly applied for local treatments. In addition, the investigation of about 50 herbal components showed that the traditional therapeutic effects of the vast majority of the ingredients were in line with those of the recent studies. However, no clinical studies were found regarding the traditionally mentioned systemic effects after the topical use of this medicament in the form of gargles or mouthrinse.

In general, the side effects of oral and injectable drugs, as well as the specific advantages of oral mucosa in achieving the topical and systemic effects and the variety of the plant components of Iranian traditional oral medicament might have high potentials for finding new drugs and improving treatment strategies of some systemic diseases such as central nervous system diseases and depression.

Massage therapy has been used since ancient times for many diseases. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of massage therapy on the symptoms and complications of diabetes mellitus (DM).

Three electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were searched from January 1, 2000 to May 13, 2018 using relevant keywords, followed by identifying all relevant randomized controlled trials. The study design, interventions, controls, primary outcome measures, follow-up, and main results were extracted and methodological quality was evaluated using the Jadad Scale by two authors independently.

Significant results were obtained, including a decrease in blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels while an improvement in neuropathic pain and diabetic foot ulcer in the related articles.

From this review, massage therapy can affect the clinical and laboratory symptoms and complications of the DM. However, various conditions such as the quality and quantity of pressure and duration, as well as the number of sessions, the type of massage, and the psychophysical state of patients can change the results of massage therapy.

Gastric polyps are neoplastic lesions that are found in about 1% to 4% of patients who undergo gastroscopy. The present study aimed to have an epidemiological investigation on the endoscopic and pathological findings of gastric polyp patients in Khorramabad in the west of Iran.

This cross-sectional study was a 10-year experience in which seventy-two patients with gastric polyps were included from 2007 to 2016. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were performed and the chi-square or Fisher exact test was used for evaluating the intra-group associations at P = 0.05.

Demographically, most subjects were females and middle-aged. The drug history of taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and past medical history of gastritis were positive in many patients. The body of the stomach was the most common anatomical site and the polyps were usually single. Morphology and pathology wise, most polyps were superficial and hyperplastic, respectively. A significant association was found between gender and anatomical site. Finally, most male patients had antral polyps whereas most female patients had body-sited polyps (P = 0.044).

In general, the site of the polyp was gender-related in this region. The history of gastritis and taking PPI was prevalent like the other studies. Some gastric polyps are more at the risk of malignancy thus such polyps should be followed up in the patients.

Electrocautery unite is used for vascular homeostasis. Despite the advantage of electrocautery in surgical interventions, it has several disadvantages such as pulmonary respiratory disorders, emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma. Given the above-mentioned explanation, the present study investigated the effects of electrocauterization smoke on rat nasal mucosa.

Fifteen Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (n=5) for three-time phases. Smoke was produced by the electrocauterization of an anesthetized rat within the smoke chamber and then smoke was entered into the test chamber containing the experimental rats. Finally, rats were anesthetized and the nasal mucosa was dissected under a stereomicroscope. After Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, the samples were impartially evaluated by a pathologist, followed by comparing the frequency of complications between different groups. Eventually, the TUNEL (The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) technique was utilized to investigate the apoptosis.

Pathological studies showed complications such as vascular congestion, epithelial vacuolation, acute inflammation, and the presence of necrotic cells. In addition, statistical analysis indicated that the rate of vascular congestion, acute inflammation, and inflammation in glands in the second and third phases of the study significantly increased compared to the control group. Further, the difference between the experimental groups was only significant when the first phase was compared with the second (P<0.05). However, the rate of epithelial vacuolation and the presence of necrotic cells demonstrated no significant increase in comparison to the control group. Contrarily, the numerical density of apoptotic cells significantly increased within the respiratory epithelium and submucosal glands of experimental rats (P < 0.05).

The results of this study indicated that short-term exposure to electrocauterization smoke has no specific effect, but longer duration of smoke exposure can damage the rat nasal mucosa.

Studies have shown that spatial processing disorders can be the reason for hearing impairment in the elderly but none of the auditory training programs has addressed it. This study investigated the effect of a novel auditory training on speech perception in noise among the elderly and its maintenance.

The spatial versions of the Persian quick speech in noise (QuickSIN) test were developed and its face validity and reliability were evaluated. Thirty-six old subjects with normal hearing ability who expressed problem in speech perception were randomly divided into the study and control groups. The study group received 5 weeks of spatial auditory training. The spatial versions of the QuickSIN test, and Iranian version of the speech, spatial, and qualities of hearing scale (SSQ), as well as the middle latency response (MLR) test were done pre and post training. The same evaluations were carried out for the control group without training.

Test-retest reliability and face validity of the spatial versions of Persian QuickSIN test were confirmed. Signal to noise ratio for 50% correct score (SNR50) significantly decreased and spatial release from masking (SRM) and binaural interaction component of MLR percentage (BIC-MLR%) significantly increased. The average scores of SSQ improved in all the three domains. These changes, except for BIC-MLR and SNR50a had short-term maintenance.

Spatial auditory training can improve speech perception in noise by enhancing the representation of binaural cues at the thalamocortical level. Spatial hearing evaluation and training are recommended to be incorporated into audiology services for serving the geriatric population.

Evaluating the effects of low-level laser (LLL) application on pain relief and abdominal scar formation in cesarean section (C-section) incision.

The present prospective trial included 65 patients who referred to Amiralmomenin hospital of Semnan University of Medical Sciences for their first C-section. They were divided into intervention and control groups and LLL therapy was used in the intervention group after the randomization process. Then, scar formation and the level of pain in the incision site were evaluated after LLL imitation on 1, 3, 5, and 7 days of the post-partum period. As regards the scoring of the scar appearance and pain, 2 scoring methods were utilized, including Vancouver scar scale and visual analog scale.

A statistically significant difference was found between intervention and control groups in terms of pain score on days 5th and 10th of the post-partum period (P=0.000) and patients in the intervention group had a lower complaint of pain. However, no significant difference was detected between the 2 groups regarding Vancouver scar scale score which was used for scar formation in C-section incision.

Overall, although pain relief is one of the most important complaints which patients suffer during the postsurgery period, other issues should be taken into account as well. By using this protocol, our study failed to prove the prophylactic role of LLL intervention in abdominal scar growth which is considered as another important point cosmetically. Accordingly, future studies might confirm the best protocol respecting preventing the scare formation with higher scale scores and reducing the pain.

Given the increased morbidity and mortality rates in high-risk pregnancies, which are associated with stress, this study aimed to investigate the predictors of the mental health of mothers during high-risk pregnancy.

To this end, 750 eligible couples referring to hospitals and public health centers of Gorgan (2016-2017) were selected using stratified-cluster random sampling method. Then, pregnancy worries and social support questionnaires were completed by mothers and mental health questionnaire was completed by the couples. Next, the correlation level was measured by Pearson correlation coefficient. Finally, the contribution of each variable as the predictor of maternal mental health was discussed by utilizing stepwise regression analysis.

The mean score of worry was 34.57 among the mothers, which was lower than the mean value while the support score was 14.45 which was higher than the mean value. The strongest predictors of the mental health of mothers with high-risk pregnancy were mother’s worry, the mental health of fathers, and the social support with standard coefficients of 0.447, 0.153, and -0.88, respectively.

In general, counseling and care programs are recommended for high-risk pregnant mothers in order to reduce their worries while increasing the mental health of the spouses and encouraging important relatives to attract further social support and improve the maternal mental health.

Protracted and repeated exposure to glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone (Dex) may lead to reproductive dysfunction. In addition, it is a critical cause of male infertility. Grape seed extract (GSE) is an active fraction of a rich source of flavonoids and phenolic procyanidins that is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of GSE on testis and testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) in mice with establishing dexamethasone.

To this end, 21 adult male Balb/c mice were divided into control, Dex (7 mg/kg/day i.p), and Dex+GSE (100 mg/kg/d dissolved in 0.5 mL of olive oil) groups. All the animals in the above-mentioned groups were sacrificed after 35 days, followed by evaluating testosterone, FSH, and LH levels, spontaneous acrosomal reaction, and testis stereological structure.

Significant changes were observed in the normal range of testosterone, FSH, LH serum levels, spontaneous acrosomal reaction, as well as the number of Sertoli and Leydig cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids in Dex group compared to the control rats. These parameters changed to a less extent in Dex+GSE animals compared to Dex rats as well.

Our findings propose that GSE might have a curative potential on the reproductive system function and its impairment. It is regulated by Dex and reproductive-related hormones.

Many epidemiologic studies have drawn considerations to the adverse effects of air pollutants like particulate matter 2.5 ((PM2.5) on human health. This study aimed to analyze the association between the air concentration of PM2.5 and the prevalence of diabetes in Mashhad.

This ecological study assessed the relationship between PM2.5 level and diagnosed diabetes prevalence in the Mashhad metropolis by spatiotemporal analysis at the block level by data obtained from the Environmental Pollutants Monitoring Center and SINA electronic health records. The subgroup analysis was performed pursuant to age and gender. In addition, the kernel density estimation analysis and Pearson correlation were used to guesstimate the association between PM2.5 and diabetes mellitus.

A significant positive association was observed between PM2.5 concentrations and the prevalence of diabetes. The results of the kernel density estimation indicated that the R and S zones with the highest prevalence rates of diabetes are among the zones with the highest PM2.5 concentrations.

In general, the results showed that long-time exposure to PM2.5 increases the prevalence of diabetes in Mashhad.

Women are faced with numerous stresses during their lives. This study examined the effect of two approaches on pregnancy-specific stress, including a training package and a group consultation approach.

Using a parallel design, this randomized controlled trial was conducted in 3 phases, on 70 pregnant women who visited the selected medical centers in Alborz province in Iran during 2016. Eligible mothers were selected through the convenience sampling method and then were divided into intervention and control groups in random blocks of four. The control group was provided with routine pregnancy care and the training package on how to cope with pregnancy stress. In addition, the intervention group received the routine pregnancy care plus cognitive-behavioral consultation in six 90-minute sessions. The mothers in both groups were evaluated at baseline, at the end of the sessions, and three weeks later using the Pregnancy Worries and Stress Questionnaire (PWSQ).

According to the obtained results, the 2 groups differed significantly in terms of the total score and the score of each dimension of the PWSQ except for the personal-occupational dimension. A comparison of the groups showed that the mean scores of the intervention group followed a decreasing trend in all three phases. However, the total score and the mean scores of all dimensions increased in the control group except for the mother-newborn bonding dimension (P<0.05).

The presence of a consultant and the practice of cognitive-behavioral consultation could further reduce pregnancy-specific stress and worries compared to the training package.

Most patients bearing chronic renal failure (CRF) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) need hemodialysis to survive. Although there are many advanced hemodialysis equipment, some of them still have complications. Nausea is general complicacy during hemodialysis, which leads to unsightly feeling. In this regard, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of acupressure on the severity of nausea during hemodialysis.

The current single-blind clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients in the dialysis wards of some selected hospitals affiliated to Semnan University of Medical Sciences in Iran. The sampling method was easy, accessible, and purposive and the order of interventions was selected randomly. In addition, the nausea severity was measured during hemodialysis in one group in three different conditions of routine care, placebo administration, and acupressure. The verbal numerical rating scale was used to measure the nausea severity. To determine the difference in the mean of nausea severity in different conditions, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used, followed by applying the post hoc test of Bonferroni for two-by-two comparisons in different conditions.

The mean of nausea severity was 1.15±2.08 in the routine care while it was 0.55±1.44 and 0.05±0.29 in placebo administration and acupressure conditions. The findings of the repeated measures ANOVA test represented a remarkable difference among the mean severity of nausea in different conditions (P < 0.001, F=11.61). Further, there was a significant difference between the mean of nausea severity in routine care compared to placebo administration (P = 0.024) and acupressure (P < 0.001) conditions. Finally, a significant difference was observed between the mean of nausea severity in placebo administration and acupressure conditions (P = 0.030).

The results demonstrated that acupressure was effective in attenuating the severity of nausea during hemodialysis thus using acupressure can be suggested to reduce nausea during hemodialysis.

C Trichomoniasis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world, which is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. It is also the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease after the viral infections, which affects around 180 million people around the world each year. The people infected with this parasite exhibit a wide range of symptoms. To the best of our knowledge the genetic variation, prevalence and related factors affecting the disease have not been well studied. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. vaginalis in women of southeast of Iran.

Out of 500 patient women referred to the hospitals of Imam Khomeini in Zabol and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS) in Zahedan, 25 positive clinical samples were isolated from vaginal discharge and urine by culture method during June 2015 and May 2016. First, DNA was extracted and then all samples were subjected to nested PCR. Six different genotypes of actin gene were identified by PCR-RFLP in Trichomonas vaginalis in Zahedan and Zabol. All PCR products were digested with HindII, RsaI, and MesI restriction enzymes. All participants completed a questionnaire recommended by gynecologists and midwifery experts.

As a result, the genotypes of H, G, E, I, and N were identified in this study, from which the genotype E was the dominant genotype of T. vaginalis in Zahedan and Zabol. There was also a significant association between the type of clinical symptoms and the level of infection (P=0.0001).

To sum up, disease as a health problem must be controlled through epidemiologic and genetic methods. Moreover, controlling the disease is closely associated with education and drug resistance or sensitivity related to genetic variation and epidemiologic factors.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) administered single intraperitoneally on sperm characteristics after testicular ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in the male rats.

Thirty adult rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham operations (group 1), IR (group 2), IR + 125 mg/kg MgSO4 (group 3), IR + 250 mg/kg MgSO4 (group 4), and IR + 500 mg/kg MgSO4 (group 5). Testicular ischemia was achieved by 720 degrees torsion of the left testis for 2 hours. Then, detorsion was performed and reperfusion was induced. One hour after ischemia, three different doses of MgSO4 (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) were administrated intraperitoneally. The sperm count, motility, mobility, and blood hematology were evaluated.

There was a significant increase in sperm count, motility, and mobility in groups treated with MgSO4 compared to the sham group (P<0.05). In addition, lymphocyte count in the sham group significantly increased compared to the IR group (P<0.05).

Generally, this study demonstrated that MgSO4 can improve sperm characteristics after testicular IR injury.

The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship of self-efficacy and demographic characteristics with blood glucose control in older patients with diabetes type II who referred to an endocrinology clinic in the northwest of Iran.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a random sampling method through which the patients were divided into controlled and uncontrolled groups. A total of 290 eligible volunteers participated in the research during November-March 2016. The Diabetes Management Self-efficacy Scale and demographic information form were completed by face-to-face interviews. Based on the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, the patients were assigned to controlled (HbA1c<7) and uncontrolled (HbA1c>7) groups. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS.

The results showed a significant difference between the 2 groups regarding the mean self-efficacy scores after adjusting for the blood glucose control confounding variables (P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, all the dimensions of participants’ self-efficacy scores had significant relationships with the glycosylated hemoglobin level (P ≤ 0.05). In terms of personal details, variables including the time since diagnosis of diabetes, education, and economic status had significant relationships with blood glucose control as well (P ≤ 0.05).

In general, the economic status, education, and time since diagnosis of diabetes affected diabetes control. Thus, performing interve

C Femoral head osteonecrosis in one of the most common orthopedic diseases in which the exact etiology is unknown and has no specific treatment. This study was designed and with the theory of stopping the disease or at least showing down the progression of the disease and reducing the pain of patients with femoral head idiopathic osteonecrosis (ION).

This study was designed as a randomized clinical trial in which two control and interventional groups with a shoe insert were compared over a period of one year. The shoe insert was made of silicone gel and leather carbide with a thickness of one cm on the heel which gradually reduced until paw and was used at both feet. The study was considered to be meaningful with P<0.05.

A total of seven out of 14 patients were included in every group. They were followed up on a 4-time basis every 3 months and for 1 year. Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Ficat forms were completed for everyone. Despite the clinical satisfaction of the patients regarding the use of the shoe insert, HHS was not meaningful in their viewpoints. The progression of the disease was based on the Ficat form and according to P<0.003 although it was mildly meaningful and showed down the progression of femoral head ION in patients who used a shoe insert in the intervention group.

Although shoes insert clinically controlled pain in patients, it was not significant in data analysis. Finally, the use of shoe inserts could help slow down the progression of the ION femoral head.

Despite inconsistencies in existing studies, the results of some research studies indicate that treatment with estrogen priming and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist look promising for poor-responder patients.

The study was conducted on 2 groups of poor-responder patients under treatment with GnRH antagonist and gonadotropin. Each group had 53 patients. The treatment was performed after considering the patients’ age, the number of previously failed in-vitro fertilization (IVF), antral follicles count and mean serum level of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH3), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and estradiol (E2). In the intervention group, 4 mg of estradiol valerate was administered daily from the 21st day of the cycle before IVF and continued up to the second day of the cycle. Then, stimulation was initiated with human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the GnRH antagonist was implemented on the eighth day and continued until the prescription of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

The average number of obtained large follicles (2.9±1.8 against 2.3±1.6), M2 oocytes (3.6±0.3 against 2.8±0.3) and embryo quality type II (1.3±0.2 against 0.9±0.1) and type III (0.7±0.1 against 0.3±0.1) in the intervention group was significantly higher compared to the control group (P value was respectively 0.05, 0.05, 0.05, and 0.01). The rate of successful pregnancy was higher in the intervention group (8.3%) than in the control group (6.7%). However, it was not statistically significant (P = 0.50).

Estrogen priming has positive effects on GnRH antagonist cycles with an increase in the number of large follicles and better quality oocytes and embryos.

Regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA) occurs after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of RWMA after PPCI and to define its baseline clinical, angiographic, and echocardiographic predictors in patients with acute anterior MI.

Totally, 107 patients (85 males and 22 females with a mean age of 58.21±11.64 years) with first anterior MI treated with PPCI were evaluated, and transthoracic echocardiographic examination was performed at the admission time and after at least 6 weeks. The RWMA was assessed and wall motion score index (WMSI) was calculated by dividing the sum of the wall motion score over the number of visualized segments.

The results revealed no statistically significant association between the symptom-onset-balloon time and door-balloon time compared with the WMSI value (P = 0.29, r=0.105 & P = 0.53, r=-0.062). Regarding post-PPCI thrombolysis in MI (TIMI) flow grades, patients with a grade II and III TIMI flow had a mean WMSI value of 1.90±0.39 and 1.65±0.31, respectively, that was significantly higher in patients with a grade II TIMI flow (P = 0.002). During the follow-up echocardiography, 84 (79.2%) patients had a positive RWMA and the follow-up positive RWMA was significantly lower (7.4%) in patients with stable angina (P = 0.01). Statistically noticeable improvements were reported in the level of WMSI and E/E’ ratio during the follow-up period of echocardiography. In addition, there was a significant relationship between pre- and post-PCI left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and WMSI compared with post-PCI RWMA (P = 0.03, P < 0.0001; P = 0.007, P < 0.0001). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in demographic data and MI risk factors considering the incidence of RWMA and the mean value of WMSI.

In patients with the first acute MI, higher WMS index and LVESV level were strongly related to RWMA incidence after six weeks which could be applied as the predictor factors of RWMA incidence.

The present study aimed to investigate the correlation of genotype-phenotype in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) in the Azeri-Turkish population, Iran.

In this descriptive-analytical study which was conducted according to Registry Center of Cystic Fibrosis, 206 patients with CF were investigated from 2001 to 2017. The data included clinical, laboratory, and genetic results. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and independent t test were applied using SPSS version 21.0. The odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and P < 0.05 were considered significant.

Thirty-one variants and 47 genotypes were observed. The ΔF508 genotype (the most common genotype), especially homozygous and compound heterozygous genotypes were significantly different from other genotypes for chronic sinopulmonary disease, gastrointestinal and nutritional abnormalities, and salt loss syndromes, with a higher sweat test measures, higher mortality rate, and complications.

Except for ΔF508, the rest of mutations were the same, and milder clinical course, and most mutations belonged to this group. The challenge in cystic fibrosis consists of no detected mutations and high heterogeneity of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations.

The purpose of this research was to compare alexithymia, worry, and perceived stress in fertile and infertile women in Tabriz.

In this descriptive-analytical study, 50 infertile women were selected by means of the convenience sampling technique from among women who were diagnosed with infertility and were receiving therapies by gynecologists, referring to Al-Zahra and milad fertility treatment centers during March-September 2017 and. The control group included patients’ partners. The data were collected by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, and Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale.

The results showed a significant difference between fertile and infertile women in the extent of alexithymia, worry, and perceived stress being lower in infertile women (P<0.05).

In general, the results of present research revealed that infertility can affect personal, social, and marital relationships and result in a mental imbalance in the fetus, increased depression, and even divorce among the couples.

Recurrent miscarriage is defined as two or more abortions happening consecutively within less than the twenty weeks of gestation or when the fetus’s weight is below 500 g. Numerous factors are involved in recurrent miscarriages, the most important of which are chromosomal abnormalities and females’ genetic clotting condition, thrombophilia, including Factor II, prothrombin, and mutation. The present study aimed at investigating the relationship between the couples’ chromosomal abnormalities and prothrombin mutation in women with recurrent miscarriages in the northwest of Iran.

In the present applied research, 100 couples referring for recurrent miscarriages were subjected to cytogenetic experiments via using the GTG banding. Deep vein thrombosis tests were also conducted on the women based on the restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) method.

Ten out of 100 studied couples were diagnosed with chromosomal abnormalities. All these abnormalities were of structural type. Out of 100 women subjected to clotting factor II, only one heterozygous case was found while the remaining cases were healthy. The control group subjects (n=100) were also found healthy. No significant difference was evidenced between the control and patient groups.

Based on the results, 5% of the studied cases had structural chromosome abnormalities and this was in compliance with the results obtained in the prior research. As regards the prothrombin mutation, only one out of one hundred studied women was heterozygous whereas the remaining subjects were healthy; this is consistent with the results obtained in previous studies