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.