Background: Child mortality surveillance system (CMSS) for children aged 1–59 months is a critical issue in the prevention of mortality. This surveillance system like other health programs needs to be evaluated. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate CMSS in Iran. Methods: This evaluation was performed from March 2015 to March 2016 based on selected criteria for assessing the public health surveillance system proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Selected criteria examined in this study included timeliness, simplicity, acceptability, and flexibility. These criteria were evaluated in two ways. First, it included the use of a researcher-made questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed by 100 experts on CMSS. Second, to perform a more exact evaluation of these criteria, 24 of these experts were selected for the focus group. Results: In this study, the response rate was 91% (42% hospital-based and 49% primary care-based). In the timeliness section, 49% of the experts believed that approvals of the child mortality committees have not been sent within the designated time frame; hardware, software, and questionnaires were reported as effective factors in this respect. The structural and administrative problems were effective in simplicity domain and the experts of mortality registration and mood of relatives were effective in acceptability domain. The flexibility of the system was high and appropriate. Conclusions: The findings of the present study reveal that CMSS has some limitations and problems in the timeliness, simplicity, and acceptability criteria, which can be resolved. But this program has an appropriate situation in terms of flexibility.

Background: To compare the umbilical cord diameter (UCD) at early second trimester (at 17–19 weeks of gestation) in trisomy 21 and normal fetuses and determined value of measuring UCD in screening trisomy 21. Methods: This was a case–control study. The UCD was measured in 39 fetuses with trisomy 21 (documented by chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis) and 39 fetuses in control group at 17–19 weeks of gestation. The control groups were low-risk fetuses for aneuploidy in routine screening and were shown not to have aneuploidy after birth. Results: Mean of UCD in fetuses with trisomy 21 was lower than normal fetuses, but there were no significant differences between them (7.48 ± 0.99 mm vs. 7.66 ± 0.91 mm; P = 0.41). Mean of UCD had no significant difference between other maternal variable, for example, body mass index and obstetric history. Mean of UCD among mothers who had previous cesarean section was significantly lower than without it (7.21 ± 0.97 vs. 7.71 ± 0.97; P = 0.03). Conclusions: At 17–19 weeks of gestation, the UCD of fetuses with trisomy 21 is thinner than normal, but the importance of this difference is too small for using this measurement in screening.

Background: Nomophobia, a state of socio-psychological illness, refers to a fear of lack of access to mobile phone, which is thought to be a modern age disorder that causes negative health risks and harmful psychological effects. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the smartphone use and nomophobia disorder among university students. Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional method in which 320 students were selected via cluster sampling. Data collection tools included a nomophobia and smartphones use questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software in two sections: descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results: The incidence rate of nomophobia among the students was moderate (3.1), and 73% of the students were moderate smartphone users. Nomophobia had a significant relationship with gender, age group, and level of education; and the frequency of using smartphones had a significant relationship with age group and level of education. There was a positive correlation coefficient between nomophobia and the frequency of using smartphones. The mobile phone use predicted nomophobia with a beta coefficient of 0.402 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Given the incidence rate of nomophobia disorder was moderate, it is necessary to make preventive decisions and plan educational programs in this regard for the health of university students. Alternative actions are recommended for the treatment in low rate of nomophobia, but drug therapy should be used in more advanced stages; therefore, it is suggested that more attention to be paid to students' free time and entertainments.

Background: The aim of the current study is to determine the Comparison of intellectual structure of International Journal of Preventive Medicine (IJPM) with Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) based on author keywords and index terms of Scopus database and the degree of compatibility among these two groups of keywords. Methods: This study was carried out using a co-word technique, which is one of the bibliometric methods. The study population consisted of 1104 articles published in IJPM and indexed in Scopus database. After retrieval the articles, data for co-word analyses was extracted using UCINET and VOSviewer software applications and centrality criteria. Then, the compatibility of author keywords and MeSH terms was examined by Jaccard's similarity index. Results: During the investigated years and among 2402 author keywords, on average, 561 author keywords (23.36%) were exact matches, 417 author keywords (17.36%) were partial matches, and 1424 author keywords (59.28%) were not matched with the terms contained in the index. Author keywords matching or not matching with index-term categories formed the largest portion of partial match keywords. Conclusions: The use of MeSH as a standard tool by medical journals for the selection of keywords in scientific publications could improve the visibility and retrieval of articles, and increase the number of citations and journals' impact factor.

Background: Hypertension has been one of the early mortality and morbidity in human societies. Training and consequently compliance increase will lead to improve treatment progress and disease control. The study aimed at the effect of training through short message service (SMS) on blood pressure mean and compliance scale in hypertensive patients. Hypertension control is essential to prevent early mortality. Methods: This study is a randomized controlled clinical, uni-center, single-blinded. The study was managed in a health-care center subordinated to Medical University of Isfahan, Iran, in 2017. Sampling was a convenient method therefore the researchers implemented it for 188 hypertensive patients who were allocated randomly into two groups: SMS group and control group. First, all patients filled the compliance questionnaire, and their blood pressure was measured. Afterward, the intervention group would be texting daily for 1 month containing a training text. During 1 and 2 months after intervention, all patients' blood pressure will be measured, and then the questionnaire had been filled 2 months after intervention, again. Results: Systolic blood pressure mean decreased from 136.23 ± 15.91 to 121.70 ± 14.43 and diastolic blood pressure mean decreased from 91.95 ± 8.24 to 86.64 ± 7.86 in the intervention group according to analysis of variance through repeated measurement and is significantly different in comparison with control group (P < 0.001). Compliance scale increased from 72.95 ± 7.65 to 85.40 ± 5.62 based on dependent t-test which was significantly different with the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: SMS training would be an effective method to control hypertension.

Background: We aimed to assess general practitioners' (GPs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) toward screening recommendation guidelines of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Methods: The survey was conducted during a 6-month period in a stratified random sample of GPs, drawn from a national database of GPs in Greece. Participants were queried about their knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practice patterns regarding screening in a primary care setting. Sociodemographic characteristics associated with vague screening practicing were identified using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: A total of 299 participants agreed and underwent telephonic survey (response rate: 78.2%). GPs agreed on the key role of population-based screening in improving patient care, and nine out of ten reported that their performance would be improved with the adoption of computer-based support systems in clinical practice. GPs, older than 50 years of age, those who those practicing for more than 15 years and GPs working in private sector, were less likely to comply with screening recommendations. Latent class analysis revealed that male physicians and those working in public sector were more likely to comply with USPSTF recommendations. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need of educational intervention programs for GPs in order to promote the implementation of national evidence-based screening recommendation statements in clinical practice.

Background: Cervical cancer is causing a huge burden in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It mainly affects women in their young ages making female university students at risk of cervical cancer. Knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in SSA including Ethiopia is very poor. We aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer and HPV in University of Gondar (UOG) medicine and health science female students.A cross-sectional study was done. Methods: This study was conducted from April 1 to May 30, 2016 at UOG, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. Undergraduate female students were included in the study. A 14-item self-administered questionnaire was then provided to each of the participants to measure their level of knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and HPV. Results: A total of 267 female students participated in the study (mean age 20.58 ± 1.22). More than half of the participants (59.6%) did not know the main cause of cervical cancer, whereas just about a fifth of them (19.5%) identified HPV as the main cause of cervical cancer. As high as 83.9% of the participants did not know other causes of cervical cancer. Binary logistic analysis revealed that students from midwifery (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 14.14, P < 0.05), anesthesiology (AOR = 9.66, P < 0.05) and medicine (AOR = 5.84, P < 0.05) departments were associated with knowledge of the main cause of cervical cancer. Conclusions: Knowledge about cervical cancer and its causes were found to be inadequate among higher education female students. Hence, awareness about cervical cancer, causes and its prevention, importance of screening and vaccination should be promoted through university's campaign, curricular changes, and community and research projects.

Background: The amount and type of dietary protein affect glucose metabolism. However, the association between dietary protein intake and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk is vague. We examined this association. Methods: We included 152 GDM and 168 non-GDM participants (total 320), age 18–45 years from Arash Women's Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Protein intake was ascertained from 168-item Food Frequency Questionnaire at 24–40 weeks' gestation. GDM was defined as fasting blood sugar >95 mg/dL and/or oral glucose tolerance test >155 mg/dL. Dietary data were assessed using N4 software and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21. We tested the association between the amount of protein consumed from red and processed meat, poultry, dairy, egg, seafood, and vegetable plus sociodemographic and lifestyle covariates and GDM risk using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: There was a significant association between the physical activity (P < 0.035), socioeconomic status (P < 0.013), body mass index, age, and each trimester's weight (P < 0.001), and risk of GDM. No significant association was observed between the intake of protein from major protein sources and risk of GDM. The only significant association was observed for egg consumption which was lower in GDM participants (P = 0.004), yet this association turned nonsignificant after adjustment for confounders, except for the fourth quartile (odds ratio: 0.43, 95% confidence interval: 0.208, 0.893). Conclusions: According to our findings, dietary intake of total and major protein sources could not affect the GDM risk. Differences between Iranian and Western population and the reverse causality might be the main reasons for this nonsignifi cant association.

Background: Avoiding hyperoxia with oxygen saturation monitoring is important in the follow-up of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Role of oxygen-derived free radicals in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has been well defined. However, a great majority of the evidence supporting the role of hyperoxia in NEC development are data from experimental studies and there are very few clinical studies. In this study, the association between NEC and average oxygen saturation (SpO₂) levels in VLBW infants was researched. Methods: Average SpO₂values of VLBW infants in the last 24 h were recorded prospectively with pulse oximeter. Average SpO₂records were continued at least for 10 days starting from the first day after birth. In the follow-up, the average SpO₂values of the patients who developed NEC and those who did not were compared. Results: A total of 127 VLBW infants were followed up. Thirteen patients developed NEC (Bell's classification ≥ stage II). No differences were found between the average SpO₂levels (94.9 and 94.8%) of the patients who developed NEC and those who did not. It was found that average SpO₂ value higher than 93 or 95 was not a risk for NEC development (P = 0.693 and P = 0.771). Conclusions: In this study, no association was found between average SpO₂values recorded in the first weeks of VLBW infants and NEC.

Background: The neuroprotective effects of duloxetine and neurodegenerative effects of methamphetamine have been shown in previous studies, but their exact mechanism remain unclear. In the current study it involved molecular mechanisms of neuroprotective effects of duloxetine against methamphetamine induced neurodegeneration were clarified. Methods: About 40 adult male rats randomly were divided to 5 groups. Group 1 and 2, as control and methamphetamine treated, received normal saline and methamphetamine (10 mg/kg) respectively. Groups 3, 4 and 5 concurrently treated with methamphetamine and duloxetine at doses of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg respectively. All treatments were undertaken for 21 days. On day 22 Open Field Test (OFT) were used to examine the level of motor activity disturbance and anxiety in animals. After that hippocampus was isolated from each rat and oxidative, antioxidant, inflammatory factors and also level or expression of total and phosphorylated forms of CREB and P-CREB and BDNF proteins were measured. Results: Duloxetine in all mentioned doses could inhibit the effects of methamphetamine induced motor activity disturbance in MWM. Chronic abuse of methamphetamine could increase malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-Alpha (TNF-α) and interleukine-1beta (IL-1β) while caused decreases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities and decreased CREB (both forms) and BDNF proteins, while duloxetine could prevent these malicious effects of methamphetamine. Conclusions: We conclude that P-CREB/BDNF signaling pathways might have critical role in duloxetine neuroprotective effects against methamphetamine induced neurodegeneration.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of long-term exposure to VOCs on employees' clinical parameters in one of the main petroleum centers in Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, 80 operational and administrative employees with 8–15 years of work experience were considered as the case and control groups. Liver function was evaluated by measuring serum alanine transaminase (ALT) activity and lipid profile was measured. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze the VOCs levels at the workplace. Results: There were increased levels of serum ALT (P = 0.003), triglycerides (P = 0.015), total cholesterol (P = 0.003), and LDL-C (P = 0.010) among the operational staffs compared to the administrative staffs. Assessment of the relationship between worksite pollutants and ALT levels revealed that there were significant positive relationship between benzene (r = 0.45, P = 0.004) and styrene (r = 0.37, P = 0.034) with increased ALT concentrations. Conclusions: VOC exposure could be contributed to reduced liver function and impaired lipid profile. Therefore, proper preventive strategies seem to be necessary for reducing hazardous exposure.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection during childhood. Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) is a broad term that indicates an abnormal voiding pattern in a child without anatomical and neurological impairment. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between UTI and LUTD. Methods: This study was conducted at the Children Medical Center Hospital in 2014–2016. The inclusion criteria of this study were at least one UTI confirmed by a positive urine culture and active urine analysis in children who were well toilet-trained previously. Complete physical examination of the genitourinary and skeletal systems was performed to identify patients with anomalies in these systems. The patients with genitourinary system anomalies and obvious and prediagnosed neurological defects of the urinary system such as neurogenic bladder were excluded from the study. To confirm the presence of LUTD, the scoring system of Akbal et al. was applied. Results: A total of 260 patients including 9.2% of males and 90.8% of females were included in this study. The prevalence of LUTD was 63.8% (166 cases) in these patients. In this study, the prevalence of LUTD in patients with a single episode of UTI was 50.5%, while in patients with recurrence of UTI it was 88.9%. In patients with unilateral kidney scar formation, 90.9% had a recurrence of UTI (P = 0.003) which shows a strong correlation of unilateral scar formation with recurrence of UTI. Conclusions: These data suggest that there is a significant relationship between UTI and LUTD in children, so evaluation of voiding dysfunction is necessary in this group. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, we can reduce the possible serious and permanent sequels of LUTD in patients with UTIs.