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ABSTRACT: Introduction & Objective: Sexualy transmitted infections (STIs) and AIDS are the most common diseases worldwide. Women are more affected by STIs and AIDS due to gender-related factors such as biological, cultural and so on. This study was conducted to investigate knowledge about AIDS and STIs among married women in Kohgilouyeh & BoyerAhmad Province/Iran. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban areas of Kohgilouyeh and Boyerahmad province. Using stratifed cluster sampling, a valid questionnaire covering demographic variables and items related to knowledge about AIDS and STIs was administered to 1379 women covered by the urban PHC clinics. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 33.3 (SD=±9.3). Most were household (%85) and the mean level of their formal education was 7.2 years (SD=±4.8). The results also showed that women had the most knowledge with the statements that "using condom protects against AIDS" (%63.9) and "asymptomatic persons would be as AIDS vectors" (%65.1). There was a significant relation between education and recognizing AIDS as a sexualy transmitted infection (p=0.004). Albeit, women were poorly familiar with the STIs, the most knowledge was found with gonorrhea (%40.5) and the least with chlamydia (%12.2). The most knowledge was observed with the statements that "STIs would induce PID in women" and "using condom protects against all the venereal diseases" (both %61.1). A significant corelation was found between education and job and fimiliarity with STIs (p<0.001). Conclusion: Findings showed limited knowledge on sexualy transmitted infections and fairely good knowledge on AIDS. There is need for the promotion of women's knowledge in sexual health field.

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Background & Aim: Malassezia furfur is a lipophilic yeast and is known as the agent of skin diseases, especially tinea versicolor. The aim of this study was to compare the antifungal effect of licorice root, Althoca officinalis extracts and ketoconazole on Malassezia furfur. Methods: In this study, the antifungal effect of ethanolic extracts of Althoca officinalis root and licorice and ketoconazole on Malassezia furfur was evaluated by broth dilution method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum concentration of fatality (MFC) for each of the compounds was calculated according to visual reading and the number of fungal colonies (CFU) compared with the control group. The gathered data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney test. Results: MIC range of Althoca officinalis flower, Althoca officinalis root, licorice root extracts and ketoconazole was determined as: 18.25, 300, 500 and 2.65 µg/ml. MFC range for extracts of Althoca officinalis flower and ketoconazole was determined as: 50 ≤ and 32 ≤ µg/ml. Conclusion: The present study showed that Althoca officinalis flower extract compared with the Althoca officinalis root and licorice root extracts have a higher antifungal effect. Also ketoconazole, compared with these extracts, have a high antifungal effect on Malassezia furfur.

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Background & Aim: Parietal cells have an important role in the production of stomach acid and function. Helicobacter pylori colonization in the stomach may affect the function of these cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Helicobacter pylori colonization of rat stomach parietal cells. Methods: In this study, 10 rats in two experimental and control groups were divided. Animals were fed by Helicobacter pylori or PBS in the experimental and control groups respectively for 20 weeks. Afterwards, bacterial colonization and parietal cells alterations were evaluated in the stomach tissue, using different staining methods. Furthermore, apoptosis in these cells were evaluated by TUNEL method. Results: Helicobacter pylori colonization in rat stomach was confirmed. In addition, degradation and ultra-structural changes of parietal cells in the experimental group was determined after 20 weeks. TUNEL staining results were indicative of parietal cells apoptosis in the experimental group. Conclusion: This study confirmed that Helicobacter pylori in 20 weeks duration causes degradation and structural changes in rat stomach parietal cells and cell death could be through apoptosis.

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Background & aim: Listeria monocytogenes is one of the causes of miscarriage and stillbirth. The aim of the present study was to compare the results of the standard culture method and polymerase chain reaction in pregnant women. Methods: This is an experimental study which was carried out at Imam Sajjad hospital in 2009 on 107 pregnant women. Specimens (311) including urine, blood, placenta and cervix swabs were collected. After enrichment course, for a period of 4 weeks in cold condition, ulture was performed for all specimens. The samples were also evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Collected data were analyzed using SPSS, using McNemar and Capa statistical tests. Results: Participants of this study were 15 to 38 years old women, with a mean age of 26.7 years. Frequencies of first and second abortion in the subjects were 59.8% and 12.1% respectively. No culture positive cases were found among the samples while PCR detected hly gene in 10.28% of the subjects. A significant different was observed between the two methods (p=0.022). Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated that PCR is more sensitive than culture method for diagnosis of Listeria infection in pregnant women.