Demographic characteristics and mental health condition of Tehran Municipality employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global health issue with various effects on the physical and mental state of the societies. The aim of this study was to identify the demographic characteristics and mental health condition of Tehran Municipality employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on Tehran Municipality employees in 2020-2021. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling and were divided into COVID-19 and uninfected groups. Demographic characteristics, COVID-19 risk behaviors, General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), and Well- Being Social Inventory were filled for all participants. RESULTS: A total of 510 participants (363 uninfected participants and 147 participants with COVID-19) were evaluated. The prevalence of female gender was significantly higher in COVID-19 group compared to uninfected group (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between groups in terms of education level (p < 0.001), prevalence of excess weight (p < 0.001), and working sector (p < 0.001). The uninfected group mainly had low contact with clients (p < 0.001) and few underlying diseases (p = 0.004) compared to the COVID-19 group. The mean GHQ-28 and Well- Being Social Inventory were significantly higher in the uninfected group compared to the COVID-19 group (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). The prevalence of no and low contact level was significantly higher in the high infection cluster compared to moderate and low infection clusters (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicated that all workers should be educated about the significance of social distancing and follow the recommendations regardless of their level of contact with clients.

Relationship between long-term use of Ritalin and semen parameters in patients referred to psychiatric centres.

Some studies have shown that Ritalin can interfere with the growth and development of the reproductive system and can also have a serious and harmful effect on sperm parameters, so we decided to conduct studies in this field on the human sample. In a case-control study, 100 adult men aged 21-31 years with hyperactivity were divided into two groups of 50 past users and 50 current users and, 50 patients who had not used Ritalin before were included as the control group. Data were analysed using SPSS software, version 20. Analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient, and regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between variables. The results also showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the current users and the control group in terms of sperm count, abnormality, and motility (p < .47). Comparison of the user group in the past and the control group showed that there was no statistically significant difference in terms of sperm count (p < .59), but there was a significant difference in terms of sperm motility and abnormality between the two groups (p < .001). The present study showed that long-term use of Ritalin can have negative effects on sperm parameters in humans.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Premarital Sexual Behavior Assessment Scale for Young Women (PSAS-YW): an exploratory mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: Premarital sexual behaviors are important issue for women's health. The present study was designed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of a scale in order to identify young women who are at greater risk of premarital sexual behavior. METHOD: This was an exploratory mixed method investigation. Indeed, the study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, qualitative methods (focus group discussion and individual interview) were applied to generate items and develop the questionnaire. In the second phase, psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the questionnaire were assessed. RESULTS: In the first phase an item pool containing 53 statements related to premarital sexual behavior was generated. In the second phase item reduction was applied and the final version of the questionnaire containing 26 items was developed. The psychometric properties of this final version were assessed and the results showed that the instrument has a good structure, and reliability. The results from exploratory factory analysis indicated a 5-factor solution for the instrument that jointly accounted for the 57.4% of variance observed. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the instrument was found to be 0.87. CONCLUSION: This study provided a valid and reliable scale to identify premarital sexual behavior in young women. Assessment of premarital sexual behavior might help to improve women's sexual abstinence.

Evaluating Serum Proteome in Women with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/Bipolar Disorder Compared to Pure Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder Subjects and Healthy Controls.

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the serum proteome of women with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)/bipolar disorder (BP) compared to pure OCD subjects and healthy controls. Materials & Methods: Serum proteome of women with OCD/BP, pure OCD individuals, and healthy controls were subjected to 2DE-based proteomics accompanied with MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry. Further evaluation of the identified protein spots with the significance of p<0.05 and fold≥1.5 was done by applying protein interaction mapping via Cytoscape v. 5.3.1 and its plugins. Results: The results indicate that vitamin D binding protein (GC) and haptoglobin spots (HP) significantly changed expression in OCD and OCD/BP with different expression patterns. These identified spots may contribute to OCD/BP and act as differentially recognized biomarkers comparing pure OCD and OCD/BP. Conclusion: The Findings imply that these proteins in the serum of the patients could be potential distinguishable biomarkers in clinical usage after related validation experiments. Therefore, this study provides a preliminary evaluation to understand OCD/BP proteome behavior better.

The assessment of the related factors of emotional divorce among Iranian people during the Covid-19 pandemic: a descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: When a couple experiences emotional divorce, it can lead to boredom, a decrease in their connection, feelings of sadness and despair, and reduced reliance on one another. These consequences can have a lasting impact on the entire family. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the affecting related factors of emotional divorce among Iranian people during the Covid19 pandemic. METHODS: A descriptive-analytical study was performed on 900 men and women from 22 districts of Tehran who were selected by the available sampling methods from March to October 2021. Data collection tools are Guttmann demographic and Emotional Divorce Questionnaires. The Questionnaires were completed by the participants of the study. R 4.0.2 software was used to analyze the data, in addition, an independent t-test and chi-square were used to compare the subjects in terms of emotional divorce. Also, the multiple logistic regression method was used to determine the independent factors affecting emotional divorce. RESULTS: The results showed that the related factors of emotional divorce include age, marriage rank, and duration of the marriage, choosing the spouse by parents, the education level of the couple, the job of the couple, infection of Covid19, and having disputes before Covid19 infection outbreak. CONCLUSION: Emotional divorce is considered as a social harm which could be the prelude to legal divorce. Therefore, studying affecting factors in any society can pave the way for culture-based interventions to reduce such social harms.

Comparison of the potency of nortriptyline and mirtazapine on gastrointestinal symptoms, the level of anxiety and depression in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Aim: In the current clinical trial study, the potency of mirtazapine and nortriptyline was compared in patients with Functional Dyspepsia (FD) who had anxiety or depression. Background: FD usually accompanies other psychosocial disorders. According to previous studies, among these disorders, anxiety and depression have the most correlation. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was organized in Taleghani hospital (Tehran, Iran). In two parallel groups, 42 patients were treated for 12 weeks, with 22 patients receiving 7.5 mg of mirtazapine and 20 patients receiving 25 mg of nortriptyline per day. To gain robust results, the patients with a positive history of antidepressant therapy, organic diseases, alcohol abuse, pregnancy, and major psychiatric disorders were excluded from the study. The subjects were examined by three questionnaires, including Nepean and Hamilton questionnaires. The patients were asked to answer the questions three times during the study: once before the onset of the treatment, second during the treatment, and third at the end of the treatment. Results: Based on Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations, mirtazapine, in comparison to nortriptyline could significantly suppress the signs and symptoms of FD, including epigastric pains (P=0.02), belching (P=0.004), and bloating (P=0.01). Although the results from the use of mirtazapine compared to the use of nortriptyline (P=0.002) showed a lower mean depression score on the Hamilton questionnaire, no significant differences were found between the effects of these drugs on the anxiety scale of patients (P=0.091). Conclusion: Mirtazapine is more effective for GI symptoms related to gastric emptying. Considering the level of anxiety, mirtazapine, compared to nortriptyline, revealed better outcomes in FD patients suffering from depression.

Prevalence of substance use among Iranian male adolescents: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and aims: Substance use among adolescents is one of the most challenging behavioral disorders with direct consequences. It is of the essence (that) the prevalence of substance use is investigated among Iranian male adolescents. Methods: The present study is a systematic review and meta-analysis. All published articles titled "prevalence of substance use among Iranian adolescents" authored in Persian and English from 2004 to 2020 on Pub Med, Scopus, SID, and Google Scholar, a top list of academic research databases, were reviewed. Thirty-three out of 805 articles, hinge on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were eligible. Statistical analysis carried out in STATA 14.0.Q index, I2 index, and χ 2 test were applied. Results: Overall prevalence reported with (95% confidence interval) for substance use 7% (4%-11%), methamphetamine 4% (3%-6%), tobacco 10% (3%-19%), and any addictive substances 4% (2%-7%) among male adolescents respectively. Besides, overall prevalence of alcohol consumption reported 10% (8%-11%). Conclusion: The prevalence of substance use among male adolescents is high, so it is indispensable for researchers to pay special attention to this issue.

Exploring Iranian married working women's experiences regarding sexual health challenges.

BACKGROUND: Considering that the quality of personal life and the quality of sexual life of working women interact with each other and considering that job as one of the dimensions that can play a direct role in the quality of life and also due to increasing women's participation in professional activities in today's society, this study was designed and conducted to explain the experiences of working women considering sexual health challenges. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was a qualitative study that the information of which was obtained through face-to-face interviews with semi-structured and open-ended questionnaires. Interviews were conducted with 32 working women working in public and private offices in Tehran, Iran, to explore their experiences of the role of jobs in sexual challenges. The sampling method was purposive. Data analysis was performed using a qualitative content analysis method with a conventional approach by MAXQDA software version 10, and to establish the reliability and validity of findings, Graneheim and Lundman criteria were considered. RESULTS: Data analysis from 32 interviews resulted in the formation of 223 primary inferential codes and 1 main category and 4 subcategories. The results of data analysis were presented in one main category, including sexual health challenges among working women. This main category consisted of four subcategories such as sexual problems due to employment, job harassment, the essential needs for sexual relationship, need for the better job management, and married sex life. CONCLUSIONS: Explaining the experiences of working women showed that sexual problems due to employment and job harassment are among the factors that cause sexual health challenges in working women. It also seems that meeting the essential needs for sexual relationship and the better management of job and married sex life can interact with the sex lives of working women.

Exploring the Reversible Effects of UV Laser Radiation on the Gene Expression Profiles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Via Network Analysis.

Introduction: The reversibility of biological processes is an important challenge in the study of environmental pollutants and also natural and artificial radiation. There are many pieces of evidence about the reversible and irreversible effects of UV radiation on the human body. Assessment of the reversibility of UV laser effects on Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the aim of this study. Methods: Gene expression alteration in S. cerevisiae samples radiated by a 30s UV laser for 15, 30, and 60 minutes post-radiation times were investigated via network analysis to explore time-dependent reversible alteration in the gene expression profiles of the samples. Results: 19 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified as targeted genes for the samples which were harvested 60 minutes after radiation; network analysis revealed no significant alteration in biological processes. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the gross effects of the UV laser on S. cerevisiae samples disappear after 60 minutes of radiation.

Assessment of liver cancer biomarkers.

Liver cancer is the third cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. It is primarily divides into two main types, namely hepatocellular carcinoma (HC) and cholangiocarcinoma (IC). Due to the increasing number of patients with liver cancer and the high mortality rate, early diagnosis of the disease can be helpful in treatment, but most patients are diagnosed atlate stages of HC. The aim of this study is to screen and provide an overview on candidate biomarkers related to primary liver cancer to introduce the critical ones. In this study, various biomarkers related to the diagnosis of primary liver cancer have been studied. Accordingly, biomarkers are divided into different groups as blood biomarkers classified as serum and plasma biomarkers, tissue biomarkers, microRNA biomarkers, proteomic biomarkers and altered genes. Previous researches have focused on liver cells and bile ducts, the surround cellular environment, how cells differentiate, and the types of genes expressed in liver cancer. Some even have focused on the origin of tumor cells and how they differentiate and develop. In all these studies, the expression of specific proteins and genes in liver cancer has been considered. Based on available sources, biomarkers can be considered as candidates to diagnose and prognosis of various types of primary liver cancer, from sources such as blood, tissue, mic-RNA, proteome and genes. However, more investigations are required to introduce a biomarker for precise detection of early liver cancer.

Role of Flt4 in Skin Protection against UVB Radiation: A System Biology Approach.

Background: Although the application of ultraviolet B (UVB) in phototherapy of human skin is a common therapeutic method, it is known as a risk factor for skin cancer. This study aims to assess the role of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to find the critical one that is mainly responsible for skin protection against UVB radiation. Methods: The gene expression profiles of irradiated mice by UVB that issued skin protection against exposure are extracted from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and analyzed by GEO2R. The significant DEGs are assessed via gene ontology (GO) analysis and the critical individuals are investigated via action mapping. Results: Thirty-eight significant DEGs that provide skin resistance against UVB irradiation were determined. Among the query DEGs, 26 individuals were related to 43 biological terms. Flt4, F3, Tspan6, Cblb, and Itgb6 were highlighted as the critical DEGs to promote skin protection against UVB irradiation. Conclusion: The finding indicates that Flt4 is the key DEG that is mainly responsible for protecting skin from UVB exposure.

Gene Activation as a Cell Protection Mechanism Against Gamma-Ray radiation.

Introduction: Gamma radiation is accompanied by prominent biological effects and damages. Cell proliferation and tumorigenesis are highlighted as the main resulted effects of gamma radiation on cultured cells. This study aims to assess the dysregulated mode of gene function after gamma radiation in human Jurkat cells. Methods: Six gene expression profiles from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analyzed by GEO2R to find the significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) via gamma radiation. Action map analysis was applied to screen the query DEGs. Results: Among 108 study genes, 20 critical DEGs including AURKA, AURKB, BORA, CCNB1, CCNB2, CCNF, CDC20, CDCA8, CENPA, CENPE, CENPF, KIF18A, KIF20A, KIF23, BUB1, DLGAP5, ECT2, PLK1, SGO2, and TPX2 were introduced as down-regulated genes by the gamma ray. Conclusion: Activators of the introduced critical genes may be the cell protector against gamma radiation.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy.

Introduction: Given the inconsistencies in the literature regarding laser performance in non-surgical treatments, this study investigated the available literature to determine the advantages and disadvantages of low-power lasers in treating non-surgical complications and diseases. Methods: Authentic information from articles was extracted and evaluated to assess low-power laser performance for non-surgical treatments. A systematic search of studies on low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for non-surgical treatments was conducted mainly in PubMed and google scholar articles. Results: Four categories of diseases, including brain-related diseases, skin-related diseases, cancers, and bone-related disorders, which were treated by LLLT were identified and introduced. The various types of LLLT regarding the studied diseases were discussed. Conclusion: Positive aspects of LLLT versus a few disadvantages of its application imply more investigation to find better and efficient new methods.

Central Proteins of Plasma in Response to Low-Level Laser Therapy Involve in Body Hemostasis and Wound Repair.

Introduction: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is accompanied by protein expression change in the body. There are many efforts to find a clear relationship between the differentially expressed proteins. This study aims to find the central differentiated expressed proteins of plasma after LLLT. Methods: Six proteins are extracted from a proteomics study and the network including these query proteins plus 100 first neighbors was constructed. The central proteins were determined based on degree value, betweenness centrality, closeness centrality (CC), and stress (The centrality parameters). Results: Among 106 nodes of the network, 10 proteins were characterized with the most values of degree, betweenness centrality, CC, and stress. These proteins were determined as central proteins in response to LLLT in plasma. Conclusion: Three query proteins, AHSG, FGG, and SERPINA1, plus 7 first neighbors, namely FGA, ALB, KNG1, FN1, APP, TIMP1, and F5, were identified as central proteins which were dysregulated.

The Effectiveness of Intranasal Oxytocin on Addiction Severity Index and Anhedonia Symptoms in an Alcoholic Case with Oropharyngeal Cancer, a Protocol for a Single-case Experimental Design Pilot Study.

One of the goals of all pharmacological interventions aimed to increase the survival rate of patients with alcohol-dependent oropharyngeal cancers is to decrease alcohol use. Oxytocin is an alternative therapy for craving and alcohol management. However, the effectiveness of oxytocin on the severity of alcohol dependence has not been evaluated. In an ABABC study with a 6-month follow-up, during February 2015 to June 2016, a 67-year-old man with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with comorbidity of alcohol dependence syndrome and anhedonia was selected by Respondent-Driven sampling (RDS). The patient was treated with intranasal oxytocin in two six-week stages (B1 and B2) and received placebo only in the other two stages (A1 and A2), and the follow-up results were evaluated at stage C. The data were analyzed by Generalized Estimation Equation (GEE) and Repeated Measures Correlation (rmcorr). Primary outcomes showed that addiction severity Index (ASI) was significantly reduced in five domains of medical status, occupational status, alcohol consumption, family status, and mental status (all p's < 0.05). There was no significant effect of treatment on legal status (all p's > 0.05). Also, social (p < 0.05) and physical (p < 0.01) anhedonia syndrome decreased in the treatment stages. However, these changes did not persist until the 6-month follow-up (all p's > 0.05). Secondary outcomes showed that there was a significant direct relationship between the severity of addiction and anhedonia (rmcorr = 0.01). The findings of this study showed that the reduction of oxytocin-induced neurotoxic symptoms led to a decrease in the severity of addiction and an improvement in the anhedonia syndrome.

Neuroprotective Properties of Photobiomodulation in Retinal Regeneration in Rats: Perspectives From Interaction Levels.

Introduction: Photobiomodulation (PBM) is known as low-level laser (or light) therapy and is applied in different fields of medicine. However, it is required that its molecular and cellular mechanism be investigated. This study aims to assess the neuroprotective properties of PBM in the rat retina. Methods: GSE22818 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and the regulation of the significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) which are produced by light damage in the rat retina by the pretreatment of PBM application was assessed via network analysis and gene ontology enrichment. Results: The 78 produced DEGs by light-damage in the rat retina were protected via PBM pretreatment action. Among these determined DEGs, 53 individuals were included in the main connected component of the constructed protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Ccl2, Icam1, Cxcl10, Timp1, and Fos were determined as hub nodes. Eight clusters including 26 regulated biochemical pathways by PBM pretreatment were identified. The critical DEGs based on the action maps were introduced. Conclusion: The finding indicates that PBM treatment protects rat retina against light damage via the prevention of Fos, Ccl2, Icam1, Cxcl10, and Myc dysregulation.

Corrigendum: Does Severity of Alzheimer's Disease Contribute to Its Responsiveness to Modifying Gut Microbiota? A Double Blind Clinical Trial.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00662.].

Does Severity of Alzheimer's Disease Contribute to Its Responsiveness to Modifying Gut Microbiota? A Double Blind Clinical Trial.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with cognitive dysfunction. Evidence indicates that gut microbiota is altered in the AD and, hence, modifying the gut flora may affect the disease. In the previous clinical research we evaluated the effect of a probiotic combination on the cognitive abilities of AD patients. Since, in addition to pathological disorders, the AD is associated with changes in oxidant/antioxidant and inflammatory/anti-inflammatory biomarkers, the present work was designed to evaluate responsiveness of the inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers to the probiotic treatment. The control (CON) and probiotic (PRO) AD patients were treated for 12 weeks by the placebo and probiotic supplementation, respectively. The patients were cognitively assessed by Test Your Memory (TYM = 50 scores). Also serum concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2' -deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and cytokines (TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-10) were measured. The cognitive test and the serum biomarkers were assessed pre- and post-treatment. According to TYM test 83.5% of the patients showed severe AD. The CON (12.86% ± 8.33) and PRO (-9.35% ± 16.83) groups not differently scored the cognitive test. Not pronounced change percent was found in the serum level of TNF-α (1.67% ± 1.33 vs. -0.15% ± 0.27), IL-6 (0.35% ± 0.17 vs. 2.18% ± 0.15), IL-10 (0.05% ± 0.10 vs. -0.70% ± 0.73), TAC (0.07% ± 0.07 and -0.06% ± 0.03), GSH (0.08% ± 0.05 and 0.04% ± 0.03) NO (0.11% ± 0.06 and 0.05% ± 0.09), MDA (-0.11% ± 0.03 and -0.17% ± 0.03), 8-OHdG (43.25% ± 3.01 and 42.70% ± 3.27) in the CON and PRO groups, respectively. We concluded that the cognitive and biochemical indications in the patients with severe AD are insensitive to the probiotic supplementation. Therefore, in addition to formulation and dosage of probiotic bacteria, severity of disease and time of administration deeply affects results of treatment.

Serum Proteomic Study of Women With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Washing Subtype.

INTRODUCTION: Many genetic studies are conducted on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). however, a high-throughput examination of proteome profile of this severe disease has not been performed yet. METHODS: Here, the proteomic study of OCD patients' serum samples was conducted by the application of Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis (2DE) followed by Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-TOF). RESULTS: A total of 240 protein spots were detected and among them, five significant differentially expressed protein spots with the fold change of ≥1.5 were considered for further evaluations. These proteins include IGKC, GC, HPX, and two isoforms of HP. While IGKC and HP show down-regulation, GC and HPX indicate up-regulation. Moreover, a validation study of overall HP levels in patients' serum via nephelometric quantification confirmed the lower levels of this protein in the serum of OCD patients. Additionally, enrichment analysis and validation test revealed that inflammation is one of most dominant processes in OCD. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that these candidate proteins and their underlying processes (especially, inflammation) may be linked to OCD pathophysiology and can promise a clinical use after extensive validation studies.