Background & Objective: Emergence of information technology (IT) has influenced human life deeply. Presumably the strongest and deepest influence has been on education field so that any one could get access to required data any time, at any place. Development of IT is so remarkable that its influence on health education could not be neglected. Thus, a great number of countries have implemented basic website set-up for health information purposes. This study paves the way for future research on both e-health and e-education in the society and their effects on the overall health knowledge of the high school students.
Materials & Methods: The present study was performed on the basis of information obtained from questionnaires on personal, mental, nutritional, maternal and marital issues and family planning, common infections, AIDS and environmental health information of 649 students in 3 high schools. Information was collected in two steps (pre and post tests). T-test and Leven’s tests were used in the statistical analysis of the data.
Results: The results of t-test showed that training the students through health information website increased their health knowledge in the above-mentioned fields with a minimum of 14.5% for environmental health and a maximum of 48.9% for nutritional health which showed a significant difference in all fields (P=0.000).
Conclusions: Efficacy of the model in the improvement of knowledge was statistically significant in all health fields. Implementation of IT is a predictable and flexible procedure. Moreover, it enhances accessibility and provides active question-response methods.

Background and Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease is a common inflammatory arthritis associated with joint destruction, motor disorder, and decreased life span. Hepcidin is an acute phase reactant protein which increases in inflammatory conditions mediated by IL-6 and its concentration elevates within the cell through regulating iron metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum hepcidin and its association with acute -phase proteins and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Materials and Methods: In this case control study, 45 women with rheumatoid arthritis without prior therapy and 45 healthy individuals were investigated. After the physical examination and assessment of the disease activity based on DAS28-3(CRP) questionnaire, serum levels of hepcidin, TNF-α, hsCRP, ferritin, hemoglobin, and MDA (Malondialdehyde) were determined.
Results: Serum levels of hepcidin, MDA, TNF-α and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were higher in RA patients than the control group (P=0.028, P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.014). Hepcidin and MDA levels did not correlate with the disease activity scores and TNF-α, hcCRP, and hemoglobin levels in the RA group. Hepcidin was significantly correlated with the serum levels of ferritin higher than 60 Ng/Ml (r=0.57, P=0.031).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that serum hepcidin and ferritin concentrations could be a useful laboratory marker in confirmatory diagnosis of anemia and atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background and Objective: Newborns often experience pain during routine invasive procedures. Although the pain caused by immunization injections could be controlled, but this procedure in infants is often done without pain relief. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 20%oral sucrose on the relief of pain from Hepatitis Bvaccine injection in full term infants. Material and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 60 infant were selected and divided randomly into two groups. In the case group, 2 ml of 20% sucrose were given orally to the infants 2 minutes prior to the intramuscular injection of Hepatitis B vaccine. By contrast, the control group received 2 ml of sterile distilled water instead of sucrose. Infants’ pain levels were assessed with the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) prior to the administration of the sucrose or water, as well as immediately after and 5 minute after the injection. Results: Our findings show that there were no significant differences in the pain levels prior to the injection between the two groups regarding sex, gestational age, birth weight, mode of delivery, and postnatal age. There were also no significant differences in pain severity immediately after the injection between the two groups. However, 5 minute after the injection the average level of pain severity in the 20% sucrose group was significantly lower than the control group (P = 0.012). Conclusion: Oral administration of 20% sucrose does not have an effect on the pain level immediately after intramuscular injection, but it relieves the pain 5 minute after the injection.

Background and Objective: Anxiety is a displeasing feeling of fear and worry associated with a psychological and physiological state of somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral complications. Most students experience some degree of anxiety prior to their examinations. Among various non-drug methods, recitation of Quran can be listened to and used as a beneficial method to reduce anxiety level. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 62 secondary school students who were randomly assigned into two groups of control (n=31) and treatment (n=31). Data were obtained by a questionnaire composed of demographic data and Sarason Test Anxiety Questionnaire. At the outset of the experiment, pre-exam anxiety levels were measured in both groups. Then, the treatment group listened to the recitation of the Holy Quran as long as 20 minutes while the control group sat for 20 minutes in their place. Anxiety levels were measured again at the end of the experiment. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests. Anxiety scores were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention. Results: The mean anxiety scores in the treatment group before and after the intervention were 17.52 and 14.48, respectively. The paired t -test analysis showed a significant difference in the control group before and after the intervention (P<0.05). The mean anxiety scores in the treatment group before and 20 minutes after the intervention were 17.39 and 17.1, respectively. The independent t- test analysis showed no significant difference in the control group before and after the intervention (P> 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that listening to the recitation of the Holy Quran would have beneficial effects on reducing anxiety. Listening to the Holy Quran can be considered as a non-pharmacologic method, safe and a reasonable approach to reduce anxiety before the exam.

Background and Objective: Visfatin is a secreted protein from visceral adipose tissue that has been linked to obesity and associated with health risk factors. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks of interval endurance rope training on plasma visfatin and insulin resistance in overweight non-athletic adolescents. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 36 healthy overweight and obese male adolescents were randomly assigned to experimental (n=18) and control (n=18) groups. The experimental group underwent 8 weeks of interval endurance rope training (45 min/d, 4 d/wk). Blood samples were taken before and after the completion of exercise training to assess levels of visfatin, insulin resistance and lipid profiles. Independent T-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to analysis the data. Results: The results showed that 8 weeks of interval endurance rope training decreased the plasma visfatin, body fat percent, BMI, insulin resistance, waist circumference and triglycerides levels in in the experimental group (P<0.05). Also, there was a significant and positive relationship between visfatin, body fat percent and plasma triglyceride levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: 8 weeks of interval endurance rope training with decreased triglyceride, insulin resistance and obesity induced a significant reduction of plasma visfatin in overweight and obese adolescents. References 1- Rezyipour A, Yousefi F, Mahmoodi M, Shakeri M. Relation of adolescent girls nutritional behaviors and physical activity to their understanding of their parents lifestyle. Magazine of Tehran Med-Scil. 2007 5: 409-16 (Persian). 2- Eun Sung K, Jee-Aee Im, Kyoung Chul, et al. Improved insulin sensitivity and adiponectin level after exercise training in obese korean youth. 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Background and Objective: Dorema aucheri, Stachys pilifera and Trachyspermum copticum are used in Iranian traditional medicine especially in the province of Kohgilouyeh and Boyerahmad. This study aimed to determine the effect of these plants on proliferation of rat brain oligodendrocytes. Materials and Methods: Macerated hydroalcoholic extract of each plant was prepared using 50% ethanol. The OLN-93 oligodendrocytes were incubated for 24 h with different concentrations of these extracts. Then, percentage of viable cells was determined using a method based on the reduction of tetrazolium salt. Results: Extract of Dorema aucheri at 50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/ml decreased viable cells from 100 ± 4% (control cells) to 84 ± 4, 58 ± 6 (P<0.001), 6 ± 0.5 (P<0.001), 4 ± 0.5% (P<0.001), respectively. Similarly, Stachys pilifera extract at 50, 100, 200 and 400 µg/ml decreased viable cells from 100 ± 4% to 81 ± 6, 64 ± 3 (P<0.01), 61 ± 4 (P<0.01), 55 ± 2% (P<0.001), respectively. Also, Trachyspermum copticum extract at concentrations higher than 50 µg/ml significantly decreased percentage of viable cells. Conclusion: Extracts of Dorema aucheri, Trachyspermum copticum and Stachys pilifera reduce proliferation of rat brain oligodendrocytes.

Background and Objective: Hypothyroidism leads to an increased risk of overweight and obesity. This study examined the effect of weight gain caused by hypothyroidism on maternal health (hypertension, gestational diabetes, and miscarriage) for the first time.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study consisted of 123 pregnant women with clinical hypothyroidism and 242 non-hypothyroid pregnant women as the control group. National guidelines were used to diagnose hypothyroidism in the first trimester. Body mass index (BMI), thyroid-stimulating hormone level, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured. Moreover, fasting blood sugar was assessed during 24-28 weeks of gestation. Data were analyzed by the Chi-square, Student’s t-distribution, and logistic regression using the SPSS19 software.
Results: We found a significant relationship between BMI and hypothyroidism in pregnant women (P<0.001). Systolic and diastolic BP in the case group were higher in women with BMI≥25 (P=0.017 and P=0.002). Furthermore, diastolic BP had a significant impact on abortion (P=0.018). The rate of abortion increases by 1.042 with 1 mmHg elevation in diastolic BP in pregnant women if the variables maternal age, hypothyroidism, and overweight are constant.
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, weight gain in women with hypothyroidism can affect the risk of high diastolic BP and abortion.

Background and Objective: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an unknown recurrent intestinal disease and a common cause of gastrointestinal disorders, which may lead to colorectal cancer if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. The beneficial effects of several probiotics in diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been investigated, although their mechanisms have not been yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated the possible association between the changes in the levels of the expression of miRNAs and the anti-inflammatory activity of the L. acidophilus as a probiotic model in Wistar rats suffering the acid-induced UC.
Materials and Methods: Twenty rats were randomly divided into four groups. To induce colitis, the rats were briefly anesthetized, and 1 ml of acetic acid (4%) was injected into their rectum using a Foley catheter, as explained previously.  L. acidophilus was given orally (3×10⁸ CCU/ml) for 10 days. The rats were monitored daily for clinical signs for 10 days. Following euthanasia, the macroscopic and microscopic pathological lesions in the intestinal tissues were examined. Additionally, the total RNA from specimens were extracted, and the expression levels of mRNAs for cytokines, including TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and the expression levels of miR-1, miR-155, miR-let7d, and miR-99a were determined using the qPCR method.
Results: The clinical signs and pathological damages induced by acid were ameliorated in the rats receiving L. acidophilus compared with rats that did not receive it, as evidenced by improved clinical signs and results of immunohistochemistry and chemical assays. miRNAs, including miR-1, miR-99, miR-Let7d and miR-155 and changes in the expression of mRNAs, including TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ were significant. Changes in the amount of myeloperoxidase, nitrite oxide, and malondialdehyde were also significant (P ≤ 0.05). In pathological examination, immune cell infiltration and COX2 were different in colitis and treatment groups.
Conclusion: Therapeutic use of probiotics ameliorated UC by significantly changing the levels of miR-1, miR-99, miR-Let7d and miR-155.

Background and Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are the most important causes of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis, as a common form of cardiovascular disease, tends to involve specific areas of the circulatory system. Boron has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties with potential beneficial effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of Boron on histopathological changes of atherosclerotic plaque and lipid profile in hyperlipidemic rabbits.
Materials and Methods: Male rabbits in five groups of control, sham, hyperlipidemia, treatment 1 and treatment 2 were fed on high fat diet (1% cholesterol). Treatment groups received Boron, 4 mg / kg, on the first and 20^th days of experiment. Animals’ weights were measured on days 1, 21 and 60. Plasma levels of Cholesterol, LDL, HDL and TG were measured by photometric method. After 60 days, Sudan IV staining method was used for macroscopic study. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining method were performed for quantitative analysis.
Results: Animals in the control and sham groups showed no significant change in serum lipid profile with no atherosclerotic plaque in aortic vessels. In the hyperlipidemia group, significant alterations in lipid profile and presence of atheroma plaques were detected. In animals receiving Boron as a protective agent, atheroma plaques were significantly less (p <0.05). This was confirmed by quantitative analysis.
Conclusion: Boron ameliorates the development and progression of atherosclerotic plaques. Boron can be used alone or in combination with other drugs as anti-atherosclerotic treatment.