Background: The aim of this study is to measure the concentration of Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu)  and selenium (Se) in the blood serum of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) patients as compared to healthy subjects in both genders. Methods: This study, conducted on patients with AF (n = 50) and controls (n = 24) were evaluated by available method. Blood samples were taken from the patients and analysis of trace elements was performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical analyses were done using IBM-SPSS 22.0. Results: Zn and Se concentrations were evaluated in AF patients and healthy group. Zn and Se concentration in AF patients is much lower than in healthy group (p<0.008, p<0.000). AF patients showed a significantly higher Cu concentration than the healthy group (p<0.000). The data of the present study revealed that the concentrations of all trace elements had a significant difference in the serum of AF patients with respect to the healthy group (p<0.05). Conclusion: We found that concentrations of Zn & Se levels were significantly decrease in the in the serum samples of AF patients compared with the controls group.

Objective: Suicide is among the main problems in society and is caused by many factors. These factors are different between developed and developing countries. This research was performed to investigate the epidemiological data related to patients who attempted suicide by poisoning in Tabriz, north west Iran. Materials and Methods: Throughout a four-month period, 300 self-poisoned patients (168 females and 132 males) referring to Sina educational hospital in Tabriz , were evaluated by a general psychiatrist and psychologist through interview and filling out a questionnaire. Results: The most common precipitating factor was family conflict followed by psychiatric disorder and unemployment. Medical illnesses, in particular physical handicaps, substance abuse, and other psychosocial stressors were also effective factors. Conclusion: Precipitating and clinical risk factors associated with suicide attempts in Iran resemble those described in literature, but with a few variations.

Background Given the importance of the function of the remnant kidney in children with unilateral renal agenesis and the significance of timely diagnosis and treatment of reflux nephropathy to prevent further damage to the remaining kidney, we aimed to determine the prevalence of reflux nephropathy in this subgroup of pediatric patients. Methods In general, 274 children referred to pediatric nephrologists in different parts of Iran were evaluated, of whom 199 had solitary kidney and were included in this cross-sectional study. The reasons for referral included urinary tract infection (UTI), abnormal renal ultrasonography, being symptomatic, and incidental screening. Demographic characteristics, including age and gender were recorded. History of UTI and presence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) were evaluated. Results Of the 274 children evaluated in this study with the mean age (SD) of 4.71 (4.24) years, 199 (72.6%) had solitary kidney. Among these, 118 (59.3%) were male and 81 (60.7%) were female, 21.1% had a history of UTI, and VUR was present in 23.1%. The most common cause of referral was abnormal renal ultrasonography (40.2%), followed by incidental screening (21.1%), being symptomatic (14.1%), and UTI (5.5%). In 116 children (58.3%), the right kidneys and in 83 (41.7%) the left kidneys were absent. Besides, 14.6% of the participants had consanguineous parents and 3% had a family history of solitary kidney. Upon DMSA scan, the single kidney was scarred in 13.1%, of which only 7.5% were associated with VUR. In addition, proteinuria and hematuria were observed in 6.5% and 1.5% of children, respectively. Conclusions The prevalence of reflux nephropathy was 7.5% in children with solitary kidney with a male predominance. Given the relatively high prevalence of reflux nephropathy in these children, screening for VUR in the remnant kidney appears to be essential in this population.

Background Children are one of the most vulnerable social groups to infectious diseases, and prevention of urinary tract infections in children is very important; therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of education based on health belief model (HBM) on promoting preventive behaviours of urinary tract infection in mothers with children under 6-years of age. Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 150 women with children under 6 years of age referred to health centers in Fasa city, Iran in 2021. Subjects were selected using simple sampling method and were randomly divided into intervention (n = 75) and control (n = 75) groups. The educational intervention for the experimental group consisted of 6 virtual training sessions of 40–50 min using lecture, question and answer, group discussion and video clips. Two virtual follow-up sessions were also held one month and two months after the educational intervention. Three months after the educational intervention, both experimental and control groups completed the questionnaire. Data were analysed by using SPSS 22 through Chi-square, independent t-test, and paired t-test (p > 0.05). Results Before the intervention, based on independent t-test and paired t-test, the mean score of HBM constructs were not significantly different between the control and intervention groups (P > 0.05). However, while perceived barriers significantly decreased (P < 0.05) after the intervention, the mean score of knowledge, ‌ perceived sensitivity and severity, perceived benefits, ‌ self-efficacy, cues to action, and performance significantly increased (P < 0.05) after the intervention. Conclusion Considering the effect of training preventive behaviours of urinary tract infection based on HBM, application of the model as an effective and cost-effective method along with other methods is recommended for educational programs of mothers with children under 6 years of age.

Objectives Renal anomalies are the most common fetal abnormalities that occur during prenatal development, and are typically detected by observing hydronephrosis on fetal ultrasound imaging. Follow-up with post-natal ultrasound is important to detect clinically-important obstruction, because many of the pre-natal abnormalities resolve spontaneously. This study aimed to evaluate the postnatal hydronephrosis follow-up rate, and reasons for non follow-up in affected neonates. Methods In this cross-sectional study all neonates born during a period of one year at Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital with hydronephrosis on fetal ultrasound imaging were recruited. All mothers were also given face-to-face information about fetal hydronephrosis and its postnatal outcomes, and follow-up with at least a postnatal ultrasound was recommended from the fourth day of their neonates’ birth until the end of the fourth week. The neonates were subsequently observed for one month to determine the postnatal ultrasound follow-up rate and to reflect on diagnostic test results, reasons for failure to follow-up, as well as causes of hydronephrosis. Results In this study, 71 cases (1.2%) out of 5,952 neonates had fetal hydronephrosis on prenatal ultrasound images. The postnatal ultrasound imaging showed kidney involvement in 18 neonates (25%), particularly in the left kidney (61.1%). Seven neonates had no follow-up at one month (10%). No significant relationship was found between lack of follow-up and the neonates’ place of residence (p=0.42), maternal education (p=0.90), number of siblings (p=0.33), or gender (p=0.64). Conclusions Postnatal ultrasound follow-up rate in these neonates with a history of fetal hydronephrosis was incomplete even though parents had been provided with education and advice at their birth time. Accordingly, it is recommended to perform postnatal ultrasound once neonates are discharged from hospitals.