Examining the Psychometric Properties of the Revised Scale of Economic Abuse among Iranian Women.

Economic abuse, in the context of intimate relationships, is a pervasive form of violence that merits further empirical attention. We know from limited research that the rates of economic abuse appear to be high in Iran; however, there is a lack of culturally appropriate measures that can assess the extent to which women experience economic harm as a result of their partners' actions. The present study was conducted with the aims of (a) investigating the psychometric properties of the 14-item Revised Scale of Economic Abuse (SEA2) which was translated into Persian for this study and (b) examining the prevalence of economic abuse among a sample of 371 married housewives in Qazvin, Iran. Confirmatory factor analysis supports the two-factor structure of the SEA2, with the exception of one item. Composite reliability and Cronbach's alpha demonstrated good internal consistency. The average variance extracted method, along with correlations with other financial variables, demonstrated evidence of good convergent validity. Correlations with related, but distinct forms of abuse, support the scale's discriminant validity. Based on the collective findings, this measure can be used as a reliable and valid tool to study economic abuse among Iranian women which, within our sample, appears to be a common phenomenon. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Restricted maternal nutrition and supplementation of propylene glycol, monensin sodium and rumen-protected choline chloride during late pregnancy does not affect muscle fibre characteristics of offspring.

BACKGROUND: Grazing in arid and semi-arid regions faces pregnant ewes with feed restrictions and hence affects the offspring muscle fibre characteristics. Using feed additives that enhance nutrient availability during foetal muscle development is expected to alter offspring skeletal muscle characteristics. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of maternal restricted nutrition and supplementation of propylene glycol, monensin sodium and rumen-protected choline chloride on lamb's muscle fibre characteristics. METHODS: Forty-eight Ghezel ewes were randomly allocated to one of six diets (N = 8) during the last 6 weeks of gestation: ad libitum feed intake (AL); restricted feeding (RF); restricted feeding containing propylene glycol (PG); restricted feeding containing propylene glycol and monensin sodium (MS); restricted feeding containing propylene glycol and rumen-protected choline chloride (RPC); restricted feeding containing propylene glycol, monensin sodium and rumen-protected choline chloride (PMC). The muscle samples were obtained from the semitendinosus muscle of 2-week-old male lambs (n = 5/treatment) via biopsy and were stained and classified as fibre types I, IIA and IIB. RESULTS: Pre-parturient maternal feed restriction and administration of propylene glycol, monensin sodium and rumen-protected choline chloride had no significant effect on fibre-type composition, fibre density of muscle, muscle cross-sectional area and volume density of fibres (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Either maternal dietary restriction or supplementation of nutrient flux-involved additives during late pregnancy did not alter muscle fibre development and had no short-term effects on muscle properties of the resulting offspring as myogenesis occurs in early and mid-gestation, not late gestation. Therefore, maternal nutrition may not be a problematic issue in sheep production in arid and semi-arid areas.

Investigation of the link between the type and concentrations of heavy metals and other elements in blood and urinary stones and their association to the environmental factors and dietary pattern.

BACKGROUND: Kidney and urinary tract stones are among the most common and important health problems, the prevalence of which is increasing nowadays due to a sedentary lifestyle, improper nutrition, destructive habits in fluid consumption, and improper use of medications. One of the causing factors in the formation of urinary stones is heavy metals. These metals present in tiny amounts in the environment and enter the nature and food cycle due to industrial activities and practices that are not compliant with environmental laws. METHODS: In this context, the present case-control study was conducted to determine the concentrations of heavy metals and other urinary stone-forming elements in both blood and urinary stones and investigate their relationship with environmental factors and dietary patterns in people with urinary stones in Ardabil city in 2022. The sampling of blood and urinary stones was done randomly from patients with urinary stones who were admitted to the Urology Clinic of Imam Reza Hospital, Ardabil. ICP-MS was used to measure the concentrations of heavy metals in the samples. The obtained data were analysed by chi-square test, ANOVA test, t-test, and Tukey test. RESULTS: The body mass index (BMI) was 27.39 ± 3.72 in the case group and 26.37 ± 2.95 in the control group. The copper and selenium concentrations in blood and urinary stones were higher than in other metals. There was a significant relationship between the history of kidney stones and the probability of developing kidney stones. Moreover, a meaningful relationship was found between the concentration of lead element and the formation of kidney stones. The results showed a significant difference in the concentration of nickel and copper in people who consumed vegetables on a daily basis with those with different types of kidney stones. CONCLUSION: The comparison amongst the concentration of heavy metals in various kinds of urinary stones showed that the amount of lead metal was higher in calcium phosphate stones than in calcium oxalate stones.

Supplementary Feed Additives Can Improve Lamb Performance in Terms of Birth Weight, Body Size, and Survival Rate.

To evaluate the effects of supplementation of feed additives in the last trimester of pregnancy on placental characteristics and offspring performance, this study was conducted with 48 estrous-synchronized Ghezel ewes that had randomly been assigned to one of the following six groups (n = 8): ad libitum feeding (AL); feed restriction (RF; 60% of ad libitum intake); feed restriction + propylene glycol (PG); feed restriction + propylene glycol + monensin sodium (MS); feed restriction + propylene glycol + rumen-protected choline chloride (RPC); feed restriction + propylene glycol + monensin sodium + rumen-protected choline chloride (PMC). Birth weight, body size, and rectal temperature of lambs were determined within 24 h of birth. The presence of lambs at 87 days of age was used as an index of survival to weaning. The outcome of this study was that the average placental weight of ewes in the AL and MS groups was the highest and lowest, respectively, among the treatment groups (p < 0.01). RPC ewes presented higher placental efficiency compared to AL, RF, and MS ewes (p < 0.05). The largest and smallest crown-to-rump lengths (CRLs) were observed in PMC and RF lambs, respectively (p < 0.01). In addition, lambs born from PMC, RPC, and PG ewes had a longer curved crown-to-rump length (CCRL) than those born from AL and RF ewes (p < 0.01). The concurrent administration of propylene glycol and rumen-protected choline chloride resulted in the highest birth weight among treatment groups (p < 0.01). Lambs born to PMC and RPC ewes had a higher survival rate and rectal temperature than those born to RF ewes (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that although dietary restriction does not have adverse effects on lambs' performance compared with ad libitum intake, the combined administration of propylene glycol and rumen-protected choline chloride in the ewes' restricted diet can improve placental characteristics and subsequently amend lambs' birth weight and body size. Therefore, the combined administration of these additives can be practiced during feed restriction.

Effects of Using Processed Amaranth Grain with and without Enzyme on Performance, Egg Quality, Antioxidant Status and Lipid Profile of Blood and Yolk Cholesterol in Laying Hens.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding Amaranthus hybridus chlorostachys grain (AG) with (+E) and without enzyme (−E) on performance, egg quality, antioxidant status and lipid profile of blood serum and yolk cholesterol in laying hens. A total of 960 white leghorn (Hy-line W-36) commercial layers (56 weeks) were divided into 10 groups with 8 replicates per group (12 birds per replicate, including 3 adjacent cages with 4 birds each). A completely randomized design was implemented with a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of five levels of AG (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 g/kg) and two levels of multienzyme complex addition (0 −E and 0.25 +E g/kg) fed to the hens for 12 weeks (2 wk. adaptation + 10 wk. main experiment). Feed intake (FI) and percentage of hen day production (HDP) were not affected by main effect of the AG level, but egg mass (EM) and egg weight (EW) were decreased (p < 0.01), and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was impaired (p < 0.01). EM, EW and FCR were improved by enzyme addition (p < 0.01). EM, EW and FCR were affected (p < 0.01) by the interaction of AG and enzyme addition. The highest value of EM and the lowest value of FCR were observed in hens on the diet containing 200 g/kg AG with enzyme addition. Egg yolk cholesterol content was reduced (p < 0.05) by up to 10% with increasing levels AG in experimental diets. The egg quality traits, including Haugh units of protein quality, strength and shell thickness, were not affected by the main effects or interaction of AG and enzyme consumption. Amaranth feeding led to a decrease (p < 0.05) in triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) while also promoting increases (p < 0.05) in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the blood. A comparison of the effects of contrasts showed that functional parameters (except FI), yolk cholesterol, antioxidant parameters (except MDA) and blood lipid profile had differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the hens fed amaranth versus those not fed amaranth. These findings indicate that feeding a diet containing up to 200 g/kg of AG with enzyme addition can improve EW, EM and FCR. Feeding laying hens diets containing AG also positively influenced blood traits and antioxidant status in laying hens while reducing egg yolk cholesterol content.

Effects of supplementary inulin on ewes milk composition and rumen fermentation parameters.

This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of inulin supplementation on milk production and composition, feed intake, nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters in lactating ewes. The experimental treatments were (1) control group (basal diet), (2) basal diet plus 2% inulin (w/w) and (3) basal diet plus 4% inulin (w/w). The experiment was carried out for 21 d in a fully randomized design involving eighteen Ghezel ewes. Production and composition (percentages of fat, protein, lactose and fat-free solids and fatty acid profiles) of milk were measured. Faeces were collected in the last 3 days of the experiment to determine digestibility. On the last day of the experiment, rumen fluid samples were taken from the esophagus 3 h after feeding and fermentation parameters (pH, ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3), volatile fatty acids (VFA) and protozoal population) were examined. Daily milk production was not significantly affected by inulin supplementation, but the fat and protein content of the milk was increased whilst urea nitrogen (MUN) and unsaturated fatty acids were decreased (P < 0.05). The dry matter (DM) intake results showed that there was no significant difference between different diets. The highest digestibility of DM and NDF belonged to the inulin fed group (P < 0.05). Inulin consumption numerically increased the pH of the rumen fluid of the animals and significantly decreased the rumen N-NH3 value (P < 0.05). Inulin supplementation also significantly increased total VFA, acetate, and butyrate levels (P < 0.05). In general, it can be concluded that inulin supplementation can improve rumen fermentation, DM and NDF digestibility,as well as compositional aspects of the ewe's milk production.

Comparison of Dapoxetine /Tadalafil and Paroxetine/Tadalafil Combination Therapies for the Treatment of the Premature Ejaculation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Dapoxetine, and Paroxetine as well as Dapoxetine/Tadalafil and Paroxetine/Tadalafil combinational therapies, for the treatment of patients with premature ejaculation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this clinical trial study, 120 patients with premature ejaculation were randomly divided into 4 groups: The first group was treated with Paroxetine (Pa), while the second group received Dapoxetine(Da). The third group received Paroxetine combined with Tadalafil(PT) whereas the fourth group's treatment involved the use of Dapoxetine and Tadalafil(DT) for one month. In the next 2 and 4 weeks, the cases were evaluated in terms of ejaculation duration, frequency of intercourse per week, and drug side effects. RESULTS: The mean age of the Da, Pa, PT, DT groups was 32 ± 6.9, 32.4 ± 7.2, 31.6 ± 1.9, and 32.9 ± 7.7 years, respectively. There was a significant difference between the Da and DT groups (p = .029) in the ejaculation latency in the 4-week follow-up. In the two weeks follow-up, a significant difference was observed between DA and DT (p = 0.043), Pa and PT (p = 0.006), and Pa and DT groups (p = 0.004) in terms of ejaculation latency. Four weeks after the intervention, a significant difference was detected in the intercourse frequency of Da and PT groups (p =0.033), Pa and PT groups (p = 0.043), Pa and DT groups (p = 0.02), and Da and DT groups (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Combination therapy (Tadalafil plus Paroxetine or Dapoxetine) was more effective in IELT (Intra ejaculation latency time) than mono-therapy especially in younger patients despite its slightly more side effects.

Five testicles in the genital area of a thirteen-month-old baby: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Polyorchidism is a congenital anomaly of the urogenital system and means more than two testes. It is a rare phenomenon, where there are no more than 200 reported cases in the literature. In this case, we report a 13-month year's old case with five testicles. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare five testicles in the genital area of a 13-month-old baby. The initial diagnosis was undescended testis (UDT) based on ultrasound findings where a testis in the abdomen and a testis in the inguinal canal were detected. Surgery with general anaesthesia was performed to diagnose and treat this case. Before surgery, four HCG 1200u injections were administered. During the operation, it was determined that the case had had five testicles. Testicles were on the left in the proximal inguinal canal, and the sac hernia was ligated parallel to the inner ring. The patient was followed up several times after surgery by a urologist, and the results showed that there were no problems, and the intervention was uncomplicated. CONCLUSION: Based on the result, it is not possible to diagnose such cases only by examination or ultrasound in infant patients, as the patient often presents with undescended testis (UDT), so the disease is diagnosed only through surgery.

Terazosin or baclofen in young men with chronic orchialgia: A cohort study of 499 patients.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the comparative efficacy of terazosin and baclofen in young men with chronic orchialgia using National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index measurement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 499 young men with chronic orchialgia, 255 received a daily 2 mg terazosin at bedtime and 244 received 10 mg baclofen during a period of 3 months. A daily 10-min hot-tub hip-bath rest was administered for all patients. Moreover, all patients with grade 3 and 18 patients with grade 2 varicocele underwent varicocelectomy. The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index score was assessed at baseline and 3 months later. RESULTS: Both terazosin and baclofen groups experienced a significant reduction in mean National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index score (24.78 and 24.81 at baseline to 19.68 and 19.60 after the treatment for terazosin and baclofen groups, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the groups with regard to post-treatment National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index score after adjustment for the pre-treatment score (p = 0.987). A total of 85 patients (33.4%) in terazosin group and 74 patients (30.3%) in baclofen group underwent varicocelectomy. Addition of the varicocelectomy to the treatment as a multimodal approach had no further improvement in the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index score. CONCLUSION: Although a significant reduction was observed in mean National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index score for both terazosin and baclofen groups, there was no significant difference between the treatments. Moreover, addition of varicocelectomy to terazosin or baclofen could not significantly decrease National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index score; thus, varicocelectomy may not be appropriate for men who have some success with medical management. Further randomized studies are warranted.

Evaluating reproductive performance of three estrus synchronization protocols in Ghezel ewes.

Although estrus synchronization considered valuable management tools for improving reproductive performance of ewes, their high expenses and complicated usage prevent sheep farmers to apply these techniques. Therefore, the present study was designed to compare three protocols of estrus synchronization on reproductive performance of Ghezel ewes. For this reason, 27 Ghezel ewes were assigned to three estrus synchronization treatment groups based on a completely randomized design included: progestogen sponge for 12 days + 500 IU eCG at the time of sponge withdrawal (P4eCG group, expensive synchronization), two doses of 75 µg cloprostenol with 12 days interval (CLO group, economical synchronization), and CLO +500 IU eCG at day 12 (CLOeCG group, moderately priced synchronization). Four consecutive blood samples were also collected during the experiment to evaluate progesterone concentrations. The results of the present experiment showed that pregnancy and lambing rates of the first estrus as well as blood progesterone concentration were not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05), though total pregnancy and lambing rates were higher in both P4eCG and CLOeCG groups (P < 0.01). Accordingly, both P4eCG and CLOeCG protocols successfully improved reproductive traits of ewes, though CLOeCG protocol is an advisable technique for sheep farmers through its moderate price, simple application, and high reproductive performance.

Effect of supplementing a diet with monensin sodium and Saccharomyces Cerevisiae on reproductive performance of Ghezel ewes.

Effect of supplementing a diet, in an attempt to enhance reproduction, with monensin sodium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast on reproductive performance was investigated during the breeding season using 44 Ghezel ewes (body weight 56.97±7.47kg, age 2-5 years and body condition score (BCS) 2.5) which were allocated randomly in equal numbers to the four dietary treatments as follows: 1) Basal diet plus supplemental feed (450g/ewe/d) plus monensin sodium (30mg/ewe/d) (MS); 2) Basal diet plus supplemental feed (450 g/ewe/d) plus Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (4×109CFU/ewe/d) (SC); 3) Basal diet plus supplemental feed (450g/ewe/d) (FG); 4) Basal diet (only grazing on pasture, Control; G). Estrous synchronization of all ewes was done using controlled internal drug release (CIDR) and all ewes were mated with purebred Ghezel rams after CIDR removal. The results indicated that MS and SC treatments with 15 lambs had greater number of lambs than ewes of the other two treatment groups. Ewes in MS group with 50% twining rate had the greatest value followed by the FG, SC and G treatment groups (P<0.05). The lambs from ewes in MS and SC groups were heavier in weight than those in FG and G treatments (P<0.01). Blood sample analysis provided evidence that ewes in MS and SC groups had greater concentrations of 17ß-estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), blood urea nitrogen (P<0.05), insulin, glucose, cholesterol and total protein (P<0.01) than ewes of the other groups. These results indicated that using a diet for enhancing reproduction, including monensin sodium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast in the breeding season could have beneficial effects on reproductive performance of Ghezel ewes.