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Background and Objective: Aging reduces cardiac autonomic function parameters such as heart rate response to exercise and heart rate recovery after physical activity. This study aimed to determine the parasympathetic nerves reactivation after upper body exercise among young and middle-aged men.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study 24 active men based on their age were divided into two groups including 30-35 (young) and 55-60 years old men (middle-aged). Participants performed upper body exercise on a Monark arm ergometer. During the test, heart rate was recorded continuously by electrocardiogram. Also, participants' heart rate was recorded for 10 minutes after completion of the test. In order to measure the time domain parameters of heart rate variability (PNN50 and RMSSD), one-minute successive RR waves intervals collected in 5 minutes and 10 minutes after the completion of the test and then were transmitted to the heart rate variability software for analysis. Also, heart rate recovery was measured in one minute and two minutes after the test by the difference between the maximum heart rate during the test with heart rate in one and two minutes after the completion of the test.
Results: There was a significant difference between PNN50 in minutes 5 and 10 after the test in young men (P<0.05). Young men also had higher values of RMSSD in minutes 5 and 10 compared to middle-aged men. The heart rate recovery in the 2 minutes after test was significantly higher than 1 minute after test in both groups (P<0.05). Heart rate recovery was higher in young people than in middle-aged people at 5 and 10 minutes after high-intensity exercise due to faster withdrawal of sympathetic nerves.
Conclusion: Changes in the autonomic nervous system is dependent on the type, duration of activity, and the age of the participants.
 

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Background and Objective: Ciprofloxacin is effective against a wide range of bacteria, particularly Enterobacteriaceae. However, studies have shown that the resistance of Escherichia coli to ciprofloxacin is enhanced. Thyme is one of the medicinal plants whose essential oil has anti-microbial effects. This study was aimed to investigate the antimicrobial properties of local Thyme essential oil alone and in combination with ciprofloxacin on Escherichia coli mutant strain with intermediate resistance.
Methods: In this descriptive laboratory study, Thyme plants (10 samples) were collected from Lorestan Province, west of Iran during 2016. Theses samples belonged to T. eriocali species. Plant essential oil was extracted by distillation method with Clevenger equipment. The antimicrobial properties of local thyme were determined by measuring minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of it alone and in combination with ciprofloxacin using sequential dilution method (macrodilution and microdilution methods) in Escherichia coli strains. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was measured by cultivation method. The interaction between essential oil and ciprofloxacin was determined by calculation of fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI).
Results: MIC of essential oil for wild type strain MG1655 and mutant strain RE6 was 8 and 10 µl/ml, respectively. MBC was equal to MIC. 0.4 µl/ml of essential oil decreased 45 fold the MIC of ciprofloxacin in mutant strain and produced synergistic interaction (FICI=0.06).
Conclusion: Thyme essential oil in concentration less than its MIC in combination with ciprofloxacin via synergistic interaction reduces antibiotic MIC and antibiotic resistance.

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Background and Objective: Due to the properties of herbal remedies and their lesser side effects than chemical drugs, much attention has now beeing paid to herbal treatments. The aim of this study was done to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts of Ruscus aculeatus.
Methods: This experimental study was performed on 80 male NMRI mice (6-8 weeks) weighing 23-25 gr. Animals were randomly allocated into 5 groups including: control group (distilled water), positive control group (morphine 10 mg/kg/bw in pain test and dexamethasone 15 mg/kg/bw in inflammatory test) and three groups receiving 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg/bw Hydroalcoholic extract of Ruscus aculeatus L. The pain was evaluated by formalin test and an investigation of inflammation conducted by xylene induced ear-edema.
Results: The hydroalcoholic extract of Ruscus aculeatus L significantly reduced acute pain at 300 mg/kg/bw in compared to control group (P<0.05). Inhibition percent was 60% for acute pain and 85% in morphine group. Also, this plant caused significant reduction of formalin induced chronic pain at 150 and 300 mg/kg/bw doses in compared to the control group (P<0.05). At 150 and 300 mg/kg doses of Ruscus aculeatus L, inhibition of chronic pain was 71%, and 94%, respectively in compared with 97% inhibition in morphine group.
Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of Ruscus aculeatus L at the dose of 300 mg/kg/bw reduces acute and chronic pain and at the dose of 150 mg/kg/bw reduces acute pain in laboratory animals.

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Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly; MCPH is a rare neurologically condition observed in new born at the birth. Most patients suffer from moderate to severe intellectual disability. In this review article, we introduce MCPH disorder; include all of the chromosomal locations, kind of MCPH genes and numbers of mutations, functional efficacy, how to identify the genes separately and diagnostic algorithm of articles and data base such as OMIM, HGMD. 23 locations genes (MCPH1-23) have been recognized causes primary microcephaly in different population, so far. Function of them is to correct orientation of mitosis spindles, duplication of DNA, organization and function of centrosome, transfer of vesicles, transcription regulation, response to DNA lesion, etc. According to investigations, MCPH in Iran and Pakistan population is common because of more consanguinity marriage. MCPH1 and MCPH5 genes are more common in Iran. Recent advances in molecular biological techniques and animal models have helped to identify the genetic cause of microcephaly and open up the horizons for researchers in the field, and also elucidating of the underlying molecular mechanisms will improve our understanding of the structure and function of the brain.

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Background and Objective: Oxaliplatin is the main agent used in the treatment of colorectal cancers. Oxaliplatin inhibits DNA replication and transcription and to induce apoptosis or necrosis in cancer cells and rapidly dividing cell lines. This study was designed to determine the effect of Oxaliplatin on sperm parameters of 60 days old offspring during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation period in mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 32 female NMRI mature mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups. Animals in control group were received 0.2 ml saline intraperitoneally (IP) during 21 days of pre-pregnany, pregnancy and lactation periods. Animals in experimental groups including pre-pregnant, pregnant and lactation groups were received 3 mg/kg oxaliplatin trice a week IP during 21 days before mating, during pregnancy and lactation periods, respectively. At the 60th postnatal day, all the male offspring were euthanized and sperm samples were obtained. Analysis of sperm parameters including count, motility, vitality, maturation and DNA integrity was done.
Results: Sperm count, motility and DNA integrity were significantly reduced in all three groups of Pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation in comparison with control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the percentage of immature and dead sperms were significantly increased in oxaliplatin groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Admistration of oxaliplatin induces adverse effect on sperm quality in perinatal period. The greatest effect of this drug is on lactation period. Also, by increasing the time interval for oxaliplatin administration in mice to puberty of offspring, the adverse effects of this drug on the quality of sperm parameters are reduced.

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Background and Objective: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases and also the biggest health problem in all countries. The world health organization has called it a silent epidemic. Self-care is one of the most important factors in controlling blood sugar in diabetics’ patients. This study was done to determine the relationship between self-care and glycosylated hemoglobin level diabetic patients in rural area in Golestan Province, northern Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 239 male and female patients with type 2 diabetes (56.92±10.70 years) in rural area in Golestan Province, northern Iran during 2016. Data collection tool were a standard diabetes self-care questionnaire with demographic variables and HbA1C test. Completion of data and sampling was done by referring to the health center and calling patients.
Results: There was no significant relationship between glycemic controls with any of the self-care items studied. Mean of HbA1c was 8.23±1.85%. 97 patients (40.6%) had good blood sugar control (less than 7.5%). Patient's self-care had a mean of 3.58, of which the highest score was related to the dietary regimen (6.60) and the lowest was related to self-monitoring of blood glucose (0.88) and regular physical activity (2.3).
Conclusion: Self-care of the patients was moderate. Interventions to increase self-care of patients are recommended in this area.

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Background and Objective: Aspartame is a kind of artifical and non-sugar sweetener that is used as a sugar substitute in some foods and beverages. This study was done to determine effect of Aspartam on histomorphometric alterations, kidney function and expression of Bcl2, Bax, Caspase 3, P53 Genes in Mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 36 adult male NMRI mice were allocated into four groups including control group and three experimental groups. The mice in the control group received 0.3 ml of distilled water by oral gavage for 90 days and the experimental groups received 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg aspartame, respectively orally and daily. One day after treatment, blood and kidney tissue samples were taken to evaluate biochemical, histomorphometric alterations and gene expression.
Results: Renal capsule diameter, glomerulus diameter and height of the epithelial layer of distal and proximal tubules were significantly reduced in treated groups compared to control group with increasing dosage of aspartame (P<0.05). However, the size of the urinary space and the diameter of the lumen of distal and proximal tubules were significantly increased in treated groups in compared to control group (P<0.05). The level of blood nitrogen urea (BUN) and creatinine significantly increased treated groups in compared to the control group with increasing dosage of aspartame (P<0.05). Also, with increasing dosage of aspartame, Bcl2 gene expression significantly reduced in treated groups in compared to the control group (P<0.05) however expression of Bax, Caspase 3 and p53 genes were significantly increased in treated groups compared to the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Aspartame can cause changes in biochemical, histomorphometric indices, expression of Bcl2, Bax, Caspase 3 and P53 genes in mice kidney.

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Background and Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common progressive neurological diseases affecting the motor pathways leading to muscle fatigue. This study was done to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of aquatic exercises on fatigue, balance and functional training in male patients with multiple sclerosis.
Methods: This clinical trial study was done on 15 men with multiple sclerosis in Zahedan, south-east of Iran. The subjects selected by available and purposeful sampling method participated in research. After primary screening and reconnaissance person of bona fide, subjects randomly divided into intervention group (n=8) with average age 42.62±6.67 height 171.87±2.47 weight 69.62±12.39 and control group (n=7) with average age 30.28±7.11, height 171.57±8.05 weight 66.68±17.26. During study the patients used and follow medicinal drugs according to prescription. Subjects in interventional group were received aquatic exercises program. Aquatic exercises program consisted of 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. The level of fatigue, balance and functional movement respectively evaluated with fatigue assessment battery for MS, Y balance and side hop jump tests.
Results: The mean of functional movement was significantly increased in interventional group in comparison with controls (P<0.05). The mean of fatigue was significantly reduced in interventional group compared to controls (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Eight weeks of aquatic exercises improves functional movement and reduce fatigue in male patients with multiple sclerosis.

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Background and Objective: Stroke has a high prevalence and is associated with a high premature mortality rate. Thus, it is important to identify the effective factors in increasing the incidence of stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of seasonal changes and environmental factors in the occurrence of stroke.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 3,639 patients including 3,102 (85.3%) with ischemic stroke, 472 (12.9%) with intracerebral hemorrhage and 65 (1.9%) with subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. After measuring environmental factors such as air temperature, air pressure, humidity and geomagnetic field, admission data of stroke patients between 2015-2019 were extracted from the Sayyad Shirazi Hospital information system.
Results: The mean occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage was highest in winter, especially in January and March, and lowest in summer, especially in July and August. Intracerebral hemorrhage had a positive significant correlation with air pressure (P=0.001, r=0.452) and a negative correlation with ambient temperature (P<0.001, r= - 0.457). Subarachnoid hemorrhage and ischemia were not related to the season or the month. It was also found that ischemic stroke had a significant positive correlation with geomagnetic field fluctuations. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was not associated with any of the variables, but intracerebral hemorrhage was significantly positively associated with air pressure and inversely associated with temperature.
Conclusion: This study illustrated that winter, low temperature, high air pressure and high geomagnetic fluctuations are associated with a higher risk of stroke. Therefore, the underlying physiopathological causes of this relationship should be carefully investigated in future studies.
 

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Background and Objective: Medicinal plants contain a high level of antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic, carotenoids, and tannins, which can be used to eliminate excess free radicals in the body. This study aimed to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid content and to investigate the antioxidant and antibacterial effects of Berberis integerrima and Graminifolius tragopogon methanolic extracts on some Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, methanolic extracts of B. integerrima and G. tragopogon were prepared using 80% methanol. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined by Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and reducing power methods. The antibacterial activity of the extracts of B. integerrima and G. tragopogon on Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium were determined by the disk diffusion method. Butylated hydroxytoluene and ciprofloxacin were used as positive controls for antioxidant activity and bacterial strains, respectively.
Results: Total phenol and flavonoid compounds in the extracts of B. integerrima and G. tragopogon were 46.90±0.70 and 22.63±0.59 mg gallic acid per gram of extract and 5.61±0.01 and 46.74±0.81 mg quercetin per gram of extract, respectively. The extracts of B. integerrima and G. tragopogon showed significant antibacterial activity. B. subtilis and S. typhimurium showed the highest sensitivity and resistance to the extracts, respectively. Moreover, the extract of B. integerrima had the most potent inhibitory effect on the examined microorganisms.
Conclusion: B. integerrima extract exhibits higher phenolic content, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial activity than G. tragopogon extract.
 

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Background and Objective: Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) has numerous nutritional and therapeutic benefits. This experimental study aimed to investigate the effect of spirulina on changes in the levels of liver enzymes of male BALB/c mice exposed to a high dose of acetaminophen.
Methods: In this experimental study, 42 adult male BALB/c mice were divided into seven groups of six. The toxic dose of acetaminophen 600 mg/kg body weight was considered. The control group received only a standard diet and water. The sham group was gavaged with saline solution. The third to seventh groups were treated as: acetaminophen; spirulina 600 mg/kg/bw, spirulina 300 mg/kg/bw, spirulina 600 mg/kg/bw + acetaminophen, and spirulina 300 mg/kg/bw + acetaminophen, respectively. In all groups, mice were treated with acetaminophen and spirulina powder by gavage for 14 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after receiving the last dose of medication and deprivation of food (the animals still had access to water), the animals were anesthetized and blood samples were taken from the heart. Activity of liver enzymes including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was measured by spectrophotometry. Protein concentration was determined by the Lowry method. Catalase activity was assessed using hydrogen peroxide. The amount of malondialdehyde was measured and the total antioxidant capacity was determined by FRAP method by reducing ferric to ferro ions.
Results: The levels of serum transaminases (ALT, AST, ALP) as well as the level of total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde of the acetaminophen-treated group increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). The levels of these enzymes in the group treated with S. platensis 300 mg/kg/bw + acetaminophen decreased significantly compared to the group treated with acetaminophen (P<0.05). Catalase activity in the acetaminophen group was significantly decreased compared to the control group (P<0.05).In the group of S. platensis 300 mg/kg/bw + acetaminophen, catalase activity increased significantly compared to the acetaminophen group (P<0.05). The results of experiments in two groups of spirulina and acetaminophen showed that the active ingredients of the algae at a dose of 300 worked better than 600 mg per kg of body weight in response to oxidative stress.
Conclusion: Consuming 300 mg/kg of S. platensis along with a near toxic dose of acetaminophen increases resistance to oxidative stress and injuries caused by drug poisoning by affecting the activity of enzymes and the antioxidant defense system.
 

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Background and Objective: Vincristine is an important anticancer drug, which is highly toxic to the liver. It is a naturally occurring polyphenol found in many plants. Some studies have shown the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of resveratrol. This study was conducted to determine the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of resveratrol against vincristine-induced toxicity in mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 32 female NMRI mice weighing 25-30 grams were randomly divided into four groups (n=8): control, vincristine, vincristine + resveratrol, and resveratrol. The animals received vincristine intraperitoneally at a dose of 3 mg/kg/bw once a week for four weeks. They also received resveratrol at a dose of 30 mg/kg for 28 days through gastric gavage. At the end of the study, the activity of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were measured. The level of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was measured in the liver tissue of mice.
Results: The activities of ALT, AST, SOD, and GPX decreased in the vincristine group compared to the control group, while MDA level increased significantly (P˂0.05). Treatment with resveratrol in the vincristine + resveratrol group improved the evaluated parameters compared to the vincristine group (P˂0.05).
Conclusion: Resveratrol has protective and antioxidant effects against vincristine-induced oxidative damage in the liver of mice.
 

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The subject of this research is to explain the ethical behaviors that are expected of a Muslim in the event of a pandemic. The research sources are a library of religious texts, including verses, hadiths, fatwas, and opinions of jurists and religious scholars. Using a descriptive method, the religious behaviors have been discovered and inferred through the examination and review of the aforementioned sources. The author's findings indicate that the ethical obligations of a Muslim in the event of a pandemic fall under three categories: 1) Ethical obligations to God Almighty. 2) Ethical obligations of the person towards himself. 3) Ethical obligations of the person towards fellow human beings. In conclusion, it is expected of a Muslim, after becoming aware of the above three obligations, to reduce the negative effects and harmful consequences of a pandemic by adopting ethical behaviors that are in line with the cognitive findings. This will in turn increase the success rate of the government in controlling and containing the pandemic, and accelerate and facilitate the return to normal life.

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Understanding maxillary sinus hypoplasia (MSH) and associated sinonasal variants is crucial for the success of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in maxillary sinus and maxillary dental implant surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate a rare case of unilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia associated with lower orbital floor displacement, without involving the Uncinate process. A 31-year-old woman presented to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Babol Dental School for rhinoplasty without any complaints of headache or nasal congestion. She had no history of trauma, congenital or bone diseases/abnormalities. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images revealed left maxillary sinus hypoplasia, lower orbital floor, and increased thickening of the sinus mucosa. The patient's photograph also showed lower displacement of the orbital floor. The diagnosis of unilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia in this study was based on clinical manifestations and coronal views of CBCT and CT scans. Symptoms of hypoplastic sinus include chronic headache, facial pain, voice problems, or may sometimes be asymptomatic. If the surgeon is not aware of the hypoplasticity of the sinus, complications during surgery may increase, including post-surgery complications such as visibility of the low orbital floor and resulting patient confusion. This study highlights the importance of using CBCT as a valuable diagnostic tool to identify anatomical variations and details of the hypoplastic sinus. This approach helps the surgeon to inform the patient and provide an appropriate treatment plan, especially in cases involving dental implants or sinus surgery.
 

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Background and Objective: Micro-ribonucleic acids (microRNAs) have introduced a new field in the molecular diagnosis of cancer. However, the role of circulating microRNAs in the plasma/serum of colorectal cancer patients is still unclear. This study was conducted to determine the expression of let-7d microRNA in patients with colorectal cancer.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 40 patients with colorectal cancer and 40 healthy people. In this study, 7 mL blood samples were collected from patients with colorectal cancer (both before and after tumor resection) and healthy individuals (only once). The serum samples were isolated and stored at - 80°C until molecular analysis. MicroRNAs were extracted from serum samples, and cDNA was synthesized. Let-7d expression was examined using the RT-qPCR method. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism v. 9 software. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, sensitivity, and specificity were also calculated for the let-7d microRNA data to introduce a diagnostic biomarker between the preoperative patient group and the control group.
Results: In the preoperative samples of the patients, the expression of let-7d microRNA was significantly lower than that of the control group (P˂0.05). The expression of let-7d microRNA significantly increased after tumor resection compared to before. The ROC analysis for let-7d microRNA in the preoperative patient group with the control group showed that the sensitivity was 33.3%, specificity was 92.3%, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.622.
Conclusion: Let-7d microRNA could potentially serve as a new noninvasive diagnostic biomarker for the early detection of colorectal cancer. However, further studies are required on this subject.

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Background and Objective: Silver nanoparticles are produced in large quantities in the industry and have estrogenic activities and toxic effects on different organs. This study was conducted to determine the effect of silver nanoparticles on the ovarian tissue of NMRI rats treated with alpha lipoic acid.
Methods: In this experimental study, 24 female NMRI rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6. The groups included the control group, oral silver nanoparticles (500 mg/kg of body weight), injected alpha lipoic acid (100 mg/kg of body weight), and silver nanoparticles (500 mg/kg of body weight) plus alpha lipoic acid (100 mg/kg body weight). The treatment was performed for 28 days. After the treatment period, blood sampling was performed from the rats’ hearts to analyze biochemical parameters (malondialdehyde, estrogen, progesterone, and total antioxidant capacity using the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) method). By dissecting the rats, the left ovaries were removed, fixed, molded, and cut, tissue passaging was performed, and the ovaries were stained using the hematoxylin-eosin method. Then, the ovarian tissue was evaluated by different stereological methods.
Results: The total mean ovarian volume, the cortex volume, the medulla volume, and the corpus luteum volume, and the total number of primordial, primary, secondary, and Graafian follicles were significantly reduced in the silver nanoparticles group compared to the control group (P<0.05). The simultaneous administration of alpha lipoic acid and silver nanoparticles compensated for the adverse effects of silver nanoparticles on the above parameters. On the other hand, the mean number of different types of follicles in the rats treated with alpha lipoic acid significantly increased compared to the control group (P<0.05). A statistically significant reduction was observed in the measurement of estrogen and progesterone hormones in the serum of the silver nanoparticles group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, in assessing the antioxidant capacity of the serum of the group treated simultaneously with silver nanoparticles + alpha lipoic acid, a statistically significant increase was observed compared to the group treated with silver nanoparticles (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Silver nanoparticles can have adverse effects on the structure of the ovary and its components, and alpha lipoic acid can largely compensate for these detrimental effects.

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Background and Objective: Considering the increasing use of silver nanoparticles in various products, including industrial and medical products, serious worries have been created regarding the potential dangers of silver nanoparticles. This study was conducted to determine the effect of silver nanoparticles on the kidney tissues of quercetin-treated NMRI rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult male NMRI rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6. The groups included the control group, the silver nanoparticles group (500 mg/kg/bw), the quercetin group (50 mg/kg/bw), and the silver nanoparticles (500 mg/kg/bw) + quercetin (50 mg/kg/bw) group. Silver nanoparticles were fed orally on a daily basis for 35 days. Quercetin was injected intraperitoneally on a daily basis for 42 days. At the end of the study, after taking blood from the rats, the dissection, tissue passaging, and Heidenhain’s Azan staining stages were carried out. The total volumes of the kidney, cortex and medulla, renal corpuscle, and glomerulus were evaluated by a stereological method. A qualitative assessment of apoptotic cells was performed using the tunnel method. The amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood serum was specified as an indicator of lipid peroxidation by the Buege and Aust method.
Results: Comparing the body weight and kidneys, and the total kidney, cortex, and medulla volumes showed no statistically significant difference between the silver nanoparticles group and the control group. The silver nanoparticles group showed a significant increase in the total mean renal corpuscle volume, glomerular volume, tuft volume, Bowman’s capsule membrane volume, and the amount of MDA compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, a statistically significant reduction was observed in the silver nanoparticles group in the total mean volume of Bowman’s capsule and capillary spaces compared to the control group (P<0.05). Quercetin could reduce the detrimental effects of silver nanoparticles on kidney cells as much as the control group; however, apoptosis was not shown in kidney cells in the group treated with quercetin. Assessing the cells in the silver nanoparticles group indicated the creation of apoptosis. The amount of serum MDA in the silver nanoparticles group showed a statistically significant increase compared to other groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that quercetin could reduce the detrimental effects of silver nanoparticles on kidney cells as much as the control group.

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Background and Objective: Sinus extension is a physiological process that occurs in the growth cells of the paranasal sinuses and leads to increasing their volume over time, causing challenges in the dental implant process. This study was conducted to evaluate maxillary sinus morphometrics by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on the CBCT images of 100 people (52 male and 48 female) with a mean age of 45.32 ± 17.41 and the age range of 27 to 63 years referring to an oral and maxillofacial specialized radiology clinic in Babol, Iran during 2019. The amount of maxillary sinus extension in the panoramic-like view was recorded based on the amount of its extension in terms of the first anterior tooth and the last posterior tooth. In the new net technologies (NNT) software, in the section related to creating panoramic-like views, first, in the axial sections, the starting point of the maxillary sinus was specified from the occlusal side, and the mediolateral dimensions were measured at distances of 3 mm above and 3 mm below.
Results: The highest amount of maxillary sinus progress in the right anterior side was related to the mesial of tooth 5 (15%), and the highest amount of sinus progress in the left anterior side was related to the distal of tooth 3 (15%) and the mesial of tooth 4 (15%), which had no statistically significant differences. The most progress in the anterior area was related to the distal of the canine tooth and the mesial of the first premolar. The mean mediolateral sinus progress at 3 mm above the right nasal floor was higher in females than in males (P<0.05). Gender and age had no statistically significant relationship with maxillary sinus progress.
Conclusion: The maxillary sinus progress was almost equal in the left and right sides and also in males and females.

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Background and Objective: Dermatophytosis is a significant skin disease in humans and animals, with increasing resistance to conventional treatments. This study aimed to determine the antifungal activity of petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and hydroethanol extracts from the aerial parts of Artemisia khorassanica, Artemisia scoparia, and Artemisia vulgaris against common dermatophytic fungi, including Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton verrucosum, Epidermophyton floccosum, and Microsporum canis.
Methods: This descriptive study examined the antifungal activity of various extracts from the aerial parts of Artemisia khorassanica, Artemisia scoparia, and Artemisia vulgaris against fungal isolates of Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton verrucosum, Microsporum canis, and Epidermophyton floccosum. The aerial parts of the three Artemisia species were extracted using five solvents: petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and 50% hydroethanol. The extracts were screened for antidermatophytic effects against the fungi mentioned above, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the agar dilution method. The most active extracts underwent preliminary phytochemical testing.
Results: In the initial screening, Microsporum canis and Trichophyton verrucosum showed the highest sensitivity (86.66%) and resistance (100%) to the tested extracts, respectively. Extracts from Artemisia scoparia exhibited the broadest range of activity. The most effective extracts, with an MIC of 78.12 µg/ml, were also from this plant. Hydroethanol extracts from all plant species demonstrated the least antidermatophytic activity. Preliminary phytochemical studies revealed the presence of terpenoids in all petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts of the plant species.
Conclusion: Some lipophilic compounds, particularly in the petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts of Artemisia scoparia, exhibit significant in vitro antidermatophytic activity.

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Background and Objective: Family-centered empowerment involves engaging clients and their families in decision-making processes to improve health outcomes, thereby enabling them to exert control over their health status through informed choices. Self-efficacy is considered the most crucial component of empowerment and holds significant importance in the management of chronic diseases and the enhancement of self-efficacy. This study was conducted to compare the effects of patient-centered and family-centered empowerment model-based training on perceived self-efficacy and fasting blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 120 patients with type 2 diabetes who attended rural comprehensive health centers in Gorgan, Iran, during 2023. Patients were enrolled in the study using a multi-stage cluster sampling method and were divided into three groups of 40: A control group, a family-centered empowerment group, and a patient-centered empowerment group. The interventions in the patient-centered and family-centered groups were delivered in 6-8 people groups based on a four-stage model. These stages included threat perception, problem-solving, educational participation, and evaluation. Patients in the control group received only the routine health center training. Data collection instruments included the standard Perceived Self-Efficacy Questionnaire in middle-aged diabetic patients and a checklist for recording clinical characteristics.
Results: The fasting blood glucose levels decreased in all three groups after the intervention; however, this difference was not statistically significant among the groups in either the pre-test or the post-test. In the post-test, a statistically significant increase in perceived self-efficacy was observed between the patient-centered group and the family-centered group, as well as between the patient-centered group and the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The patient-centered and family-centered empowerment model-based training on patients’ perceived self-efficacy was evaluated as effective; however, it had no effect on the fasting blood glucose levels of patients with type 2 diabetes.