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Introduction & Objective: In recent years, the incidence of opportunistic fungi has shown a marked increase. Infection caused by common pathogenic fungi is a significant health problem in immune compromised hosts. The present study evaluated antifungal activity of Titanum dioxide nanoparticles and Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid against Candida albicans as self-cleaning agent by standard micro dilution test. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted at the Medical University of Tarbiyat Modares in 2009. TiO2 nanoparticles were obtained through the hydrolysis of TiCl4 (Titanium tetrachloride). Size and type of these nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray-Diffraction (XRD). Afterwards, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Fungicide Concentration (MFC) test for TiO2 and EDTA were performed. Results: Concentration of synthesised TiO2 was 7.03 mg/ml and 5.63 5.63 ×1020 particles/ml. Evaluation of morphology and diameter of the TiO2 nanoparticles with SEM showed that nanoparticles were spherical with diameter between 40-65 nm. MIC50 of 2.2, 1.24 and 0.125 µg/ml respectively. MIC90 and MFC of TiO2, EDTA and fluconazole were 3.51, 2.48 , 0.5 µg/ml and 4.06, 3.1 ,1 µg/ml respectively. Conclusion: In the present study, using of synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles with chemical method showed a suitable activity against Candida in comparison with Fluconazole. Thus it might represent a good candidates in elimination of Candida in medical from medical devices. Key Words:

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Background & Aim: Candida albicans is the most common cause of fungal infections which is increasing all over the world. Finding new methods or agents for control of these fungal infections is necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of Catechin against standard strain of C.albicans. Methods: This experimental study was conducted at Tarbiat Modares University of Medical Sciences in 2010. Serial dilutions of Catechin solution were prepared in 96 well micro plates. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was assessed by Microdilution broth technique. Biofilms of C. albicans were developed on flat-bottomed 96-well microtiter plates and the antifungal effect of Catechin was evaluated. Data were analyzed using t-test statistical method. Results: MIC50 of 5.77 µg/ml, MIC90 of 8.33 µg/ml and MFC of 9.47 µg/ml were found for Catechin. Biofilm inhibitory concentration of Catechin and fluconazole for susceptible strain of C. albicans was19.35, 4 µg/ml and for resistant strain was 23.53, 8 µg/ml respectively. Conclusion: Catechin had suitable antifungal effect against C.albicans biofilms in comparison with fluconazole. It seems that this herbal agent can be used for the elimination of Candida.

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Background & Aim: Re-use of wastewater is an appropriate approach for development of water resources and water supply strategies. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of HRF in COD removal from secondary effluent of municipal wastewater in Yasouj. Methods: The pilot which was used in the present study was a horizontal roughing filter designed and prepared according to the Wegelin’s Design Criteria. The Samples were removed daily and instantaneous based on the predicted number of samples (28 samples at each filtration rate) from the input and output filter, and then tested in the laboratory by the D5000 device. The collected data was analyzed using ANOVA and paired t-test. Results: The results indicated that the average COD removal in the filtration rate of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 were 60, 51, and 38 percent respectively. Conclusion: The average output of the HRF for all three filtration rates was lower than the maximum EPA standard of Iran.

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Background & aim: Acanthamoeba is a genus of free-living amoebae found in environmental sources. These amphizoic amoebae can lead to severe human disease such as encephalitis and keratitis. Acanthamoeba transmits to humans through contact with soil and dust from scratching the skin. The aim of the present study was to identify the genotypes of Acanthamoeba in parks of the city of Tehran using molecular and morphological - based methods. Methods: In this study, 52 samples of soil were collected from 17 parks in Tehran. Samples were then filtered and cultured on 1.5% non-nutrient agar. DNA extraction and PCR amplification was performed using genus specific primers. Sequencing analysis and BLAST search were done for genotype identification. Results: Out of 52 soil samples, 14 strain (26.9%) were positive for Acanthamoeba amoebae by microscopic observation. Out Of 14 positive isolates, 9 (17.3%) were positive for Acanthamoeba using genus specific primer pairs. Of 14 strains, 9 were sequenced successfully. Genotype identification was revealed that all strains were belonged to T4 type. T4 genotypes among strains are human pathogens. Conclusions: Identification of pathogenic Acanthamoeba belonging to T4 genotype in recreational parks could be of utmost importance. Results of this study show that soil contamination, particularly in parks where children play and assemble is a sanitary risk for them. Key words: Acanthamoeba, Genotypes, Soil, Park

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Background and aim: Psychological consequences of addiction, such as major depression regardless of physical problems, economic, cultural and social is cause problems for both families and society. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of group cognitive hypnotherapy on major depression in residential and semi-residential addiction recovery centers in the city of Yasuj.

Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pre-test, post-test and control group. The population included all patients drug dependent as residential and semi-residential referred to Yasuj addiction recovery centers. 40 patients were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The instrument used in this study included Beck Depression Inventory which depressed patients diagnosed and according to clinical interview they entered the study. Group cognitive Hypnotherapy intervention model was carried out on the experimental group for 8 sessions for one hour once a week, but there was no intervention on control group. After the intervention both experimental and control groups were assessed. Collected   data was analyzed using covariance analysis.

Results: The results revealed that the cognitive hypnotherapy treatment of group, leading to depression reduced significantly in the experimental group compared control group significantly (p <0.001). The mean pre-test score of major depression in the experimental group and in control group was 39/5 ± 10/54 and 61/4 ± 20/52 respectively.  Whereas the mean and standard deviation of major depression and post-test scores in the experimental group 55/2 ± 05/25 and in the control group was 50/3 ± 55/51.

Conclusion: Cognitive hypnotherapy can be used as adjunctive therapy in reducing major depression or used in addiction recovery centers.

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Abstract
Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, inflammatory, chronic and progressive disease of central nervous system in which myelin sheath and axons of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord destroyed by immune system. The change in concentration of cytokines is the major physiological symptom of the disease; whereas physical activity and exercise is an important non-pharmacological method in maintain homeostasis of physiological symptom in MS disease. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of eight weeks of exercise training combined with Q₁₀ supplementation on serum TNF-α and IL-10 in patients with multiple sclerosis.
 
Methods: In the present experimental research, twenty eight MS patients (EDSS=3-5) were selected by using available sampling method and randomly divided into three experimental groups (combined exercise training + Q₁₀ supplementation, combined exercise training + placebo & Q₁₀ supplementation) and one control group (5 female and 2 male in each group). Two groups of three experimental groups performed a combined exercise program include two sessions of endurance training (%50-60 max HR at beginning to end)  and one session of resistance training (%50-60 1RM at beginning to end) three sessions per week. 200 mg of CoQ₁₀ supplement was prescription per day. Blood samples (after 10 hours fasting) were collected 24 hours before the first and 24 hours after the last session of exercise for evaluation of serum levels of IL-10 and TNF-α. Data were analyzed with Shapiro - Wilk and analysis of covariance at a significance level of P<0.05.
 
Results: The results of covariance analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the serum levels of IL-10 and TNF-α in all three experimental groups compared to the control group. Also, the results of t-test showed that there was no significant difference between the data of serum levels of IL-10 and TNF-α in the post-test compared to the pre-test (P≥0/05). 
 
Conclusion: Combined exercise training with coenzyme Q₁₀ supplementation cannot lead to changes in concentration of IL-10 and TNF-α in patient with MS. Therefore, it is necessary to change the duration and severity of this type of training as well as dose of supplementation.
 
Multiple sclerosis,

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Background & Aim: Addiction to Substances has led to a decrease in productivity and inefficiency in psychological issues, including psychological well-being among drug users. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of group cognitive hypnotherapy on psychological well-being in people referring to residential and semi-residential centers of addiction in Yasuj.

Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with pre-test, post-test and control group. The statistical population consisted of all drug dependent patients referring to residential and semi-residential of addiction centers in Yasuj city. 40 patients were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The instrument used in this research was Rif's psychological well-being questionnaire. Group intervention of cognitive hypnotherapy was performed on the experimental group during 8 sessions of 90 minutes and once a week, but no intervention was taken on the control group. At the end of the intervention, both groups (experimental and control) were subjected to post-test. To analyze the collected data, covariance analysis was used.

Results: The mean and standard deviation of the pre test of psychological well-being in the experimental group was 37.87 ± 3.42 and 39.25 ± 2.86 in the control group. Also, the mean and standard deviation of post-test psychological well-being score in the experimental group was 66.45 ± 15.61 and 39.15 ± 2.73 in the control group. The results showed that group cognitive hypnotherapy increased the psychological well-being of the experimental group in comparison with the control group at a significant level (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Group cognitive hypnotherapy has been effective in improving psychological symptoms in patients with substance dependence in people who are referred to residential and semi-residential centers of addiction treatment. It has led to increased psychological well-being in drug-dependent patients.

 

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Background & aim: Problems caused by substance abuse among consumers reduce self-efficacy to deal with physical, social and psychological problems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of dialectical behavioral therapy as a group on the self-efficacy of coping with problems in people referring to residential and semi-residential centers for addiction quitting in Yasuj city.
 
Methods: The present research was a clinical trial study. The statistical population consisted of all drug-dependent patients referring to residential and semi-residential addiction treatment centers in Yasuj city in 2015-2016. 40 patients were selected by available sampling method and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The tools used in this study included a self-efficacy questionnaire to deal with the problems of Chesney et al. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy interventions were performed on the experimental group at 8 sessions of one hour and a half once a week, but no interventions were performed on the control group. After the intervention, both experimental (experimental and control) groups were tested. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23 software and statistical tests of covariance analysis.
 
Results: The mean and deviation of the pre-test score of the self-efficacy test were 80.17 ± 35.80 in the experimental group and 76.70 4 4.64 in the control group. Also, the mean and deviation of the post-test self-efficacy test scores were 12.26 48 26.48 in the experimental group and 77.7 09 4.94 in the control group. The findings indicated that dialectical behavioral therapy, as a group, led to an increase in the self-efficacy of coping with the experimental group compared to the control group (p <0.001).
 
Conclusion: Dialectical behavioral therapy can increase the effectiveness of coping with the problems of hospitalized patients in addiction treatment centers. Furthermore, mental health professionals can use this treatment as an effective treatment strategy in treating other psychological problems of patients with substance abuse.