Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) is one of the most important cereal crops widely cultivated all over the world with high economic value. In the present study, genetic variation in a mini-core collection of durum wheat germplasm, including 25 breeding lines and 18 landraces, was evaluated using 15 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and six start codon targeted (SCoT) markers. High levels of polymorphism were observed; 98.70% (ISSR) and 100% (SCoT), which indicated that these markers are useful tools for detection of genetic variation in the collection. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that the major part of genetic variations (90% and 93% for ISSR and SCoT, respectively) occurred within genotypes set. Comparing the genetic variation of breeding lines and landraces based on genetic parameters showed that effective number of alleles (Ne), Nei's gene diversity (He) and Shannon's Information index (I) in landraces were higher than in breeding lines. Although cluster analysis, based on both markers, separated the genotypes in five groups, the dendrogram obtained from SCoT provided the best clustering pattern. Inter-population differentiation (Gst) estimated on the basis of two marker systems representing that a vast portion of the total genetic diversity refers to variation within two sets of genotypes. In conclusion, the results verified a high level of genetic variation among the durum wheat mini-core collection, particularly among landraces, which can be interesting for future breeding programmes.

Background: Delivery is one of the most stressful events in women's life. Excessive anxiety, in turn, increases delivery and pregnancy complications. Mother's positive experience of delivery leads to more effective maternal-fetal attachment in the first few hours of birth. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the effects of acupressure at two different acupoints on anxiety level and maternal-fetal attachment in primiparous women. Materials and Methods: In this study, 150 primiparous women were allocated to acupressure at GB-21 acupoint, acupressure at SP-6 acupoint, and control group. The women in their active phase of delivery were enrolled in the study and pressure was applied to the acupoints for 20 minutes. Mother's anxiety level was assessed using Spielberger's questionnaire before and one hour after the intervention. In addition, maternal-fetal attachment behaviors were evaluated using Avant's questionnaire during the first breastfeeding. Then the data were introduced to the SPSS (v. 13) and were analyzed using t test and one way ANOVA. Results:The results revealed no significant difference among the three groups regarding the anxiety level before the intervention (P > 0.05). One hour after the intervention, this measure was significantly lower in the intervention groups in comparison to the control group (P < 0.001). However, no significant difference was found between the two intervention groups in this regard (P > 0.05). Moreover, maternal-fetal attachment was higher in the intervention groups in comparison with the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Acupressure at both acupoints reduced anxiety level and increased maternal-fetal attachment. This method can be easily used in the delivery room.

OBJECTIVES:The survival rate of thalassemia patients has not been conclusively established, and the factors associated with survival remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the survival rate of thalassemia among patients in southern Iran and to identify the factors associated with mortality from thalassemia.METHODS:This retrospective cohort study was conducted based on a retrospective review of the medical records of 911 beta-thalassemia patients in 2014. Data analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis.RESULTS:Overall, 212 patients (23.3%) died, and 26.8% had thalassemia intermedia. The 20-year, 40-year, and 60-year survival rates were 85%, 63%, and 54%, respectively. Both crude and adjusted analyses found that education, marital status, ferritin levels, and comorbidities were related to mortality.CONCLUSIONS:Sociodemographic and hematological factors were found to be significantly associated with the survival rate of thalassemia. Addressing these factors may help healthcare providers and physicians to provide the best possible care and to improve the survival rate.

Background Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the fifth deadliest cancer among women in Iran. Educational interventions based on the proper behavior promoting models can lead to early diagnosis of cervical cancer.This study aimed to investigate the effects of educational intervention on performing Pap smear tests based on the Theory of Planned Behavior among women living in Fasa, Iran. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 700 participants. Thereafter, the educational intervention based on the results of cross-sectional study was conducted in a workshop form for 50 women as the intervention group and 50 women as the control group. Afterward, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software and then analyzed via logistic regressions analysis, paired t test, independent t test, chi-square test, and McNemar test. Result According to the results, 45.7% of the patients had a history of performing a Pap smear test, and 20.7% of them regularly performed this test. The knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were the predictors of intention and behavior of Pap smear test among the women (P < 0.05). These components accounted for 57.4% and 31.6% of the intention and behavior variances, respectively. After the intervention, a significant increase was observed in the means of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control in the intervention group compared to the control group. The results reveal no significant difference between these two groups regarding the behavioral intention (p = 0.41) and performance of the Pap smear test (p = 0.583). The number of the participants undergone the Pap smear test has increased from 10 to 26 in the intervention group by passing 3 months from the intervention. The results of McNemar test indicated that this difference was statistically significant. Conclusion The results indicated an increase in the women’s performance of the Pap smear screening test by appropriate planning, provision of educational packages based on the women’s needs, and using effective subjective norms. Trial Registration: Current Controlled Trials IRCT20160830029608N3:12/31/2018. “Retrospectively registered”.

Background and Objective: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among the females. This cancer is considered as a preventable disease due to having a long period before the invasion, availability of appropriate screening program, and effective treatment of primary lesions. The aim of this study was to determine the factors related to performing regular Pap smear test based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) among the females living in Fasa, Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on 700 married women in Fasa city in 2016. The study population was selected from the females referring to the healthcare centers of Fasa using simple random sampling technique. The data were collected by means of a three-part questionnaire, including demographic data, knowledge, and TPB constructs. Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation coefficient test and logistic regression in SPSS, version 22. Results: According to the results, 45.7% of the patients had a history of undergoing a Pap smear test, and 20.7% of them performed this test regularly. The results indicated that knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were the predictors of intention and behavior of Pap smear test among the women (P<0.05). These components accounted for 57.4% and 31.6% of the intention and behavior variance, respectively. Conclusion: As the findings of this study indicated, it is possible to increase the level of screening behaviors among the women by improving their awareness, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. This measure in turn plays a significant role in the prevention and control of cervical cancer.

Background and Objective: Breastfeeding is a matter of significant importance. Given the role of such factors as attitude and subjective norms on the behavior of mothers and the low level of exclusive breastfeeding, the present study aimed to determine the effect of educational program based on the theory of planned behavior on breastfeeding behavior among the pregnant women in Fasa, Iran. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 100 pregnant women with the gestational age of 30-35 weeks who referred to the health care centers of Fasa, Iran, in 2017. The study population was selected using random sampling technique, and then assigned into two groups of control (n=50) and intervention (n=50). The data were collected using a demographic form, components of the theory of planned behavior questionnaire, and a breastfeeding checklist. The intervention group received three 55-to-60-minute training sessions. The mothers' breastfeeding behavior was evaluated before the training sessions and 40 days postdelivery in both groups. The data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 22, using Chi-square test, independent t-test, and paired sample t-test. Results: According to the results, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the components of the theory of planned behavior before the educational intervention (P=0.208). However, after the training sessions, the intervention group showed a significant improvement in all components of the theory of planned behavior, including intention and breastfeeding behavior, compared to the control group (P=0.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, appropriate training programs, social network support, and suitable conditions for breastfeeding in the community are among the effective factors that can change the mothers' attitudes towards lactation and result in successful breastfeeding in the first three months after childbirth.

Background and Objectives: The number of patients inflicted with AIDS is on a growing trend in Iran, and one of the routes of disease transmission is the infection of sharps that are used for different people without disinfection. This study was designed to evaluate the performance of male barbers regarding AIDS prevention based on the Health Belief Model in Fasa, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 on 220 male barbers working in Fasa, Iran. The participants were chosen through random multi-stage sampling. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire including demographic data, knowledge, and constructs of the Health Belief Model using self-report. To analyze the data, linear regression was run in SPSS, version 18. Results: Our findings showed that among the participants, knowledge was good, perceived sensitivity was moderate, perceived severity was low, perceived benefits were high, perceived barriers were low, and practice was at a good level. Knowledge, perceived sensitivity, and perceived benefits constructs were predictors of barbers' performance in preventing AIDS. In general, 31.5% of variance predicted performance variables. Conclusions: Regarding the results of this study, by appropriate planning for raising awareness, perceived sensitivity, and perceived benefits regarding AIDS, barbers' performance can be enhances, which is essential for preventing and controlling AIDS.

Objectives: Natural products such as chamomile have been used throughout the world for centuries as alternative medicines or functional food. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) has been applied for centuries as an herbal remedy for treat various inflammatory conditions such as eczema, ulcers, gout, neuralgia and rheumatic pains. Materials and Methods: This study was a single blind clinical trial. The samples will be placed in two groups of intervention (55 people) and control (55 people) by convenient sampling and random blocked. In the study, level of anxiety and depression in patients were measured in both groups by anxiety and depression questionnaires. Results: The mean of depression scores before and after the intervention in the intervention group was 25.81 and 19.49, respectively. Mean score of depression before and after intervention was 25.83 and 24.90 in control group. Results shows the mean scores of depression before and after intervention in the intervention and control group were difference significantly (p<0.001). Conclusion: Chamomile tea can be used as an alternative treatment to depression therapy in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy due to its low, safe, simple and affordable side effects. Chamomile tea is recommended for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy as an effective way to reduce symptoms of depression.