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Background: Pregnancy is known as a life crisis for women, which represents major life transitions. Moreover, it usually has substantial impacts on the sexual adjustment. Also some sexual behavior occurring during pregnancy, are accompanied with some complications for both mother and her fetus. Even though, yet, there are remarkably little empirical data about sexuality during pregnancy. This study helps to define which changes occur in sexual function and what kind of sexual behaviors are experienced by women during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional one which evaluated 102 pregnant women referring to state health-care centers of Ahvaz city, from February to March 2007. The inclusion criteria were confirmation of pregnancy with either pregnancy tests or sonography and having a stable partnership. Exclusion criterion was having any kind of medical-obstetric restrictions about sexual activities. Assessment was performed using a three-part questionnaire, consisting 1- Sociodemographic and obstetrics data, 2- Sexual function translated copy of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and 3- Sexual behavior. The validity of materials was confirmed with content validity and the reliability was proved by test-retest method. We completed questionnaires through execute interviews in a private condition after describing the aim of our study to the participants. After correlating data, they analyzed by SPSS 13. Results: 102 pregnant women enrolled in the study. Mean age of women was 24.4 years old, most of them (38.2%) had high school education and most of them (56.9%) were primerigravids. Women’s mean marrital age was 20.23 years and the ethnicity of most of them (52%) was arabic. There was no difference between three group from the demographic variables point of view. When we compared sexual function's domain score between three trimester, consist of desire, excitement, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and dysparonia, we observed significant decrease just in dysparonia domain with progressing of the trimesters (P<0.05). Total sexual function score decreased as the pregnancy progressed (P<0.05). 17/6% of pregnant women had been continuing anal sex, however, 38.2% had had oral sex and 29.2% had experienced sexual abuse by their partners, during pregnancy. Sexual function decreased with pregnancy progression. This can have negative effects on marital relationship, although in this study sexual function was less affected by gestational age and trimesters. Assessing the high-risk sexual behaviors during perinatal care, can help to decrease the consequent maternal and neonatal complications and can promote the family health.

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Background: Isotretinoin (ISO) revolutionized the treatment of acne since 1980s and therafter, sever forms of acne have been treated more effectively, with less residual cosmetic or psychological damage. The use of Isotretinoin is associated with significant side-effects such as mucocutaneous involvement, dyslipidemia and increased liver enzymes. The aim of study was the evaluation of homocysteine (Hcy) levels and the responsible vitamins for its metabolism in patients with moderate to sever acne vulgaris undergone ISO treatment. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven (n=47) patients with acne, prepared with liver function tests, folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine and serum lipids evaluations. Hcy was evaluated before (Value 1) and on the 2nd month (value 2) of treatment with Isotretinoin (0.5 mg/kg/day), by HPLC methods. Results: Hcy levels (value 1: 11.8 ±5.3 µmol/L vs. value 2: 13.6±7.4 µmol/L P<0.001) were statically significantly increased in patients treated with ISO. In addition, lipids and liver enzymes increased in mentioned group. However, there was no significant correlation between Hcy levels, vitamins and liver enzymes. Conclusion: Elevated Hcy levels in patients after 2 months on ISO treatment might be resulted from liver function disturbances. Folate supplementation along with frequent evaluations of Hcy serum levels are strongly reconnnened for the prevention of a premature occlusive disease.

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Background and Aim: Due to complications and consequences of violence against women and limited information about reproductive health issues in women with experience of violence, this survey was carried out to assess reproductive health status of these women in harm reduction centers in Tehran in 2010. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 69 out of 75 vulnerable women who were clients of harm reduction centers, and experienced at least one type of violence (emotional, physical, and sexual). Data collection tools were questionnaires and data collection method was structured interview. The questionnaire had five dimensions, demographics, reproductive health, sexual performance, sexual behavior, and violence. Data was analyzed with SPSS 18 descriptive and analytic statistics were applied. Results: Mean age of participants was 34.3(9.6) years and 37.7% of them were divorced. Mean age at first marriage was 16.7 (2.5) years and mean age at first sexual relationship was 16.1 (4.8) years. Illiteracy observed among 17.4% of participants. Among these women, 69.3% reported all three types of violence furthermore, 85.3%, 86.7%, and 76% reported physical, emotional and sexual violence, respectively. 62.9% had unwanted pregnancy and 51.6% had an abortion. Contraception was completely ignored in 46.5% of participants. Among eligible women, 52.2% never participated in cervical cancer screening examination, 82.4% of them had sexual dysfunction, 39.1% of them had anal sex and 34.8% had oral sex. ‍Conclusion: Despite of access to reproductive health services, many of these women had poor reproductive health conditions. Greater support and proper interventions can lead to better results for these women.

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Background and Aim: Pathogenesis of the recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) includes various genetic and environmental factors. The role of coagulation factors during pregnancy plays an important role in RPL. Recently, hereditary thrombophilia has been recognized as an agent of RPL. This study discussed the association between C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of MTHFR gene with RPL. Materials and Methods: Participants in this study were included 105 female with two or more who were in RPL condition and 98 healthy female participants with two or more children who were in control condition. DNA extracted from their leukocytes, and the status of the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were determined by PCR-RFLP amplifying the corresponding region of genomic DNA followed by treatment with restriction enzymes HinfI and MboII, respectively. Results: The results were analyzed by chi-square test. It was shown that the proportion of women with 677TT/677CT genotypes were significantly more in the RPL group in comparison with normal healthy ladies (p=0.002). The same result was obtained for 1298CC/1298AC (p=0.001). The allelic frequency for each variant also showed significant difference between RPL groups as compared with normal control. ‍Conclusion: In the present study the association between the MTHFR polymorphism and RPL was statistically significant.

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Background and Aim: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) refers to the occurrence of two or more consecutive losses of clinically recognized pregnancies prior to the 20th week of gestation. Several factors play a role in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) including thrombophilic conditions, which can be influenced by gene polymorphisms. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is involved in the fibrinolytic process, and several studies have reported the association between this gene polymorphism and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Materials and Methods: We studied the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism in women with recurrent abortion. 100 patients with recurrent abortions (at least two) were selected as cases and 100 healthy female with two or more normal term deliveries and without a history of abortion were selected as controls. Total genomic DNA was isolated from blood leukocytes. The status of the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLP. Amplifying the corresponding region of genomic DNA followed by treatment with restriction enzyme Bse RI. Results: Homozygosity for PAI-1 4G polymorphism was seen in 17 cases (17%), in contrast to 5 persons in the control group (5%) (P=0.006) and patients with homozygote 4G mutation were significantly more prone to RPL in contrast to others (OR: 4.63, %95 CI: 1.55‒13.84). ‍Conclusion: Considering these results, because 4G/4G polymorphism for PAI-1 gene could be a thrombophilic mutation leading to abortion, analysis of this mutation and other suspected factors such as MTHFR and FV Leiden is recommended in patients with RPL.

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Background and Aim: Breast fissure is disorder during breastfeeding that causes cessation and failure of breastfeeding. With high prevalence of breast fissures, as well as the existence of evidence in favor of the application of Aloe vera gel as an anti-inflammatory herb, the purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Aloe vera on improving breast fissures. Materials and Methods: This study is conducted using a clinical trial method on 110 cases. Samples were divided randomly into two groups of 55 women. The women in both groups were homogeneous in obstetrics and demographic characteristics (P>0.05). The women in the Aloe vera gel group applied 0.5 ml of Aloe vera gel and control group applied 4 drops of their own milk on their nipple and areola after each feeding. Then, the two groups were studied on days 10 and 14 postpartum. For intensity of pain, the Visual Analogue Scale and to measure the severity of damage, Amir Scale was applied and the existence or lack of nipple discharge was also recorded. Results: The mean intensity of pain and nipple damage before treatment on day 10 and day 14 after delivery in the control group had a significant difference (P<0.001). In comparison of nipple discharge between the two groups before treatment on day 10 and day 14 after delivery, the case and control groups indicated a significant difference (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it seems that Aloe vera gel can improve breast fissures.

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Abstract:

Background and Aim: The victimization is one of the problems that exist today in schools across the world. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to validate the victimization scale in children.

Materials and Methods: To this end, 607 students of Semnan were selected by using a stratified sampling method and to victimization scale, Illinois bullying scale and Harter’s motivation questionnaire responded. For data analysis, of factor analysis method, Cronbach's alpha coefficients and Pearson correlations were used.

Results: Factor analysis showed that the victim scale has one factor. Validation showed that the structures with bullying (0.53), absence from school (0.18), academic motivation (-0.15) and academic achievement (-0.17) had a significant relationship (p&le0.01). Also, victim scale reliability using Cronbach’s alpha for the total scale 0.88 was satisfactory. Data answer questions victim scale with Samejima model had a good fitness and more information about the test showed that the slopes of 0.4 to -1.8 had s continuum feature.

&zwjConclusion: Results indicated that victimization in the Persian version of the questionnaire has acceptable psychometric properties of school students, and it can be used as a valid instrument in psychological research.

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Background and Aim: Recurrent miscarriage, which is defined as 3 or more consecutive pregnancy losses before 20 weeks of gestation, affects 1-5% of woman in the reproductive age group. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is an enzyme that influences placental human chorionic gonadotropin production during gestation. Previous studies have indicated an association between eNOS activity, implantation, and maintenance of pregnancy, but proposed associations between polymorphisms of the eNOS gene and recurrent miscarriage (RM) are controversial. In this study was examined the association between rs1177443, rs1799983 and VNTR in intron 4 polymorphisms of eNOS gene and abortion in Iranian patients.
Materials and Methods: We performed a study of 80 women with two or more pregnancy losses who did not have any other known risk factors as a case group and the control group who were 80 women with at least two healthy children and no RPL in their reproductive history. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood following written consent. The presence or absence of the mutation for these factors was assessed by PCR and RFLP analysis, using Mnl1 and BanII restriction enzyme, respectively. The data were statistically analyzed using chi square test and SPSS 18.
Results: The results showed that no significant associated between rs1177443 (P=0.16), rs1799983 (P=0.15) and VNTR in intron 4 (P=0.48) polymorphisms of eNOS gene and recurrent miscarriage in case and control group.
‍Conclusion: In conclusion, there is no significant difference between mentioned polymorphisms of eNOS gene and recurrent miscarriage.

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Introduction: Documentation and scientific evidence based on cohort studies can illustrate the profile of illness and the problem under quite normal conditions at the time of the study, as well as credible evidence of causality related to the outcomes. The health of each organization's employees is an important issue for increasing their efficiency and production. So far, a study with this structure has not been conducted among employees of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.
Objective: To estimate the incidence rate of major non-communicable diseases and determine the risk factors for occupational risks associated with major non-communicable diseases in the population under study. The diseases will be considered in this study are cardiovascular diseases, breast, stomach, colorectal, prostate and liver cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, injuries and diabetes.
Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. Ten thousand employees aged 18-65 years old at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences are randomly selected and examined. It is estimated that the first round of the study is carried out within 3 years. Data needed for this study are collected through three ways: self-administered, interview and examination as well as various blood and urine tests. Initial data is used after quality review and follow up to complete incomplete data as well as linking to external data. Descriptive analysis will be done according to individual, spatial and temporal characteristics. Relative risk estimation and hazard difference for different risk factors will be performed with appropriate methods tailored to the type of data. In order to estimate the relationship between risk factors and consequences of different regression models, survival analysis and combined models will be used.
Results: Appropriate training has been given to recruited staff. Required tools are ready and validated. A handbook and manual protocol is available for all processes. The required equipment and equipment are provided according to the protocol and with the opinion of the experts of the scientific committee. The pre-Pilot Stage is completed and the pilot phase is under way for two months.
Conclusion: By conducting a prospective cohort study, a large contribution of early deaths can be reduced among the under study population. The success of the project to a large extent depends on the university's supports in implementing the relevant processes, the emphasis on doing the work based on the defined protocols, and the quality control and quality assurance processes. In these studies, we should be careful about the loss of follow up, and the effect of those who no longer wanted to continue to collaborate with the research, while also taking into account the measurement errors.