Background and Objective: Thalassemia is an inherited disorder which is common in Iran. Most thalassemic patients suffer from growth retardation due to economic and nutritional problems. The majority of these patients die because of some chronic problems such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Nutritional assessment and intervention are important for improving the life expectancy and quality of living in thalassemic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and hematological indices in patients with beta thalassemia major. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 61 thalassemic patients, whom were referred to the Seyed-al-shohada Hospital in Isfahan, were enrolled. Data on the dietary intake (micro-nutrient and macro-nutrient intake) were obtained by 24-hr Food recall and analyzed with a Food Processor software. Demographic data were obtained by using General Questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using student t-test and Pearson correlation. Results: Carbohydrate, protein and fat intakes were significantly lower than the standards (23.2 g, 144.6 g, and 17.4 g vs. 130 g, 49 g, and 30 g, respectively (P<0.05). Most of the micronutrient intakes such as vitamins A, D, and B12, and Zink and calcium were lower than references. Some hematological indices such as hemoglobin (11.2 ±3.5, P<0.05), hematocrit, and ferritin were significantly lower than the standards (32.5 ±8.6 and 180 ±45, P<0.01). Conclusions: Nutritional deficiencies were prevalent in these patients. Therefore, it appears necessary to pay special attention to diet in thalassemic patients.

Background and Objective: The current study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the real neurofeedback treatment in comparison with mock neurofeedback in decreasing severity of major depression symptoms and changing α and β waves into a desirable pattern in major depression disorder. Materials and Methods: Using experimental single subject design, six individuals who were diagnosed as major depression sufferers were randomly selected and divided into two real neurofeedback and mock neurofeedback (placebo) groups. Both groups were treated for twenty sessions twice a week. Beck Depression Inventory II and Hamilton Depression Scale were used to assess both groups before, during and after the treatment. To analyze the collected data, effect size and improvement percentage were used. Results: The results of the effect size, the improvement percentage and the graphs suggested that the real neurofeedback was more effective in regulating brain waves and in decreasing major depression disorder symptoms in comparison with the mock neurofeedback. Effect size in Alpha wave in right hemisphere in the experimental and control groups was 2.21 and 0.48. Effect size in Beta wave of experimental and control groups was 2 and 0.51. Improvement quantity in the experimental group was 48% and in the control group was 23%. Conclusion: The effectiveness of real neurofeedback was not due to the changes in the placebo. It can be as a complementary treatment in treating major depression disorders. The findings of the current research were congruent with the previous research.

Background and Objective: The beneficial effects of Ephedra Major in treating hypertension, common cold and muscle weakness have been reported. As there are no previous studies that assess its effects during pregnancy, we aimed to assess the biological effects of Ephedra Major extract on the quantitative development of Balb/C mouse embryos during the third to sixth days of pregnancy

Materials and Methods: In this study, 50 female Balb/C mice were randomly divided into 6 equal groups consisting of a control group (no injection), a sham group (injection of saline) and 4 experimental groups. The in vivo LD50 was determined as 3086 mg/kg and the injection doses were chosen at 300 and 500 mg/kg. Injection was done on the third to sixth days by enema. Then the mice were dissected on the 15th day of pregnancy. The experiment was performed twice. Data were analyzed by Duncan test in SPSS21.  P<0/001 was considered statistical significance.

Results: All embryos were atrophied in the group receiving 500 mg/kg Ephedra Major. We observed reduced myometrial thickness and disruption in the natural order of the endometrial layer. In the group receiving 300mg/kg, a significant decrease (P<0/001) in the Crown–Rump Length (CR), embryo weight and placental weight was noted compared with other groups.

Conclusion: According to our observations, it seems that using this herb during pregnancy is hazardous. In addition to abortion, it may have a negative effect on embryonic development.

Objectives and Aims: Considering the lack of quantitative measurement tools to monitor recovery in the patients with schizophrenia spectrum or major mood disorders in Iranian patients, this study was designed to determine the validity and reliability for the Persian translation of self-report questionnaire Recovery Assessment Scale: domains and stages (RAS-DS). 
Methods: The Persian version of RAS-DS was prepared via an independent translation process. Sampling was done from in- and outpatients referred to Iran Psychiatric Hospital. Patients completed demographic information datasheet, WHO quality of life - Brief Form (WHOQoL-BREF), Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21), and translated RAS-DS questionnaires, in addition to Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Twenty patients completed the RAS-DS and WHOQoL-BREF for the follow-up evaluation in two to four weeks.
Results: 142 patients (81 men and 61 women) participated in this study with an average age of 35.4 (± 9.2) years. The intensity of depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21) exhibited a significant negative correlation with all domains of RAS-DS, while the various domains of quality of life (WHOQoL-BREF) exhibited a positive and significant correlation. All domains of RAS-DS had positive significant correlations with each other, and with the total score of questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated as 0.960 for the whole questionnaire and 0.835, 0.944, 0.881, and 0.815 for its four domains, respectively.
Conclusion: Persian translation of RAS-DS questionnaire has good reliability and validity, as well as acceptable internal consistency, and could therefore be used to conduct research in the field of recovery for Iranian patients with schizophrenia spectrum and major mood disorders.