Urmia University Research Articles

Spraying effect of maternal plants with nano-iron oxide on germination indices and electrical conductivity of produced soybean seeds

In order to evaluate the effect of maternal plants foliar spraying with different levels of Nano-iron oxide (0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 gr lit -1 ) on germination indices and electrical conductivity of soybean seeds, an experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at research station of Urmia University. Results indicated that spraying with 0.5 and 0.75 gr lit-1 of nano iron oxide were not differed with each other on germination rate, coefficient of germination rate and germination rate index, but they showed significant difference with control in 1% probability level. The least electrical conductivity was related to seeds produced from maternal plants which sprayed with 0.5 gr lit -1 nano iron oxide that had significant difference with control. Seed lots with low exudation of electrolytes (low electrical conductivity) are known as vigorous seeds with high emerging potential.

Effect of Harvesting Time and Iron Application on Moldavian balm

Dracocephalum moldavica L. of the Labiatae family is an annual herbaceous plant. In Iran it is known as Badrashbi and Badrashboo. Recent publications have reported antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of its essential oil, which have a wide usage in industry. In this research, the effects of iron foliar application and different yields’ harvest times on the essential oil content and some morphological treats (plant height, branch number, fresh and dry weights, essential oil content and leaf Iron content) were investigated under experimental study in faculty of Agriculture of Urmia University during 2012. A factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was used in the present study. Results showed that foliar application of iron had a significant effect on branch number, fresh and dry weight, biomass and oil percentage. Similarly, harvest time had a significant influence on fresh and dry weight, essential oil content, essential oil yield and leaf iron content, but its effect was not significant on stem diameter and branch number. The best harvest time for Dracocephalum moldavica L. was at 100% of flowering and 6 ml/l of iron application showed the best results in all characters measured.

Effect of Harvesting Time and Iron Application on <i>Moldavian balm</i>

Dracocephalum moldavica L. of the Labiatae family is an annual herbaceous plant. In Iran it is known as Badrashbi and Badrashboo. Recent publications have reported antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of its essential oil, which have a wide usage in industry. In this research, the effects of iron foliar application and different yields’ harvest times on the essential oil content and some morphological treats (plant height, branch number, fresh and dry weights, essential oil content and leaf Iron content) were investigated under experimental study in faculty of Agriculture of Urmia University during 2012. A factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was used in the present study. Results showed that foliar application of iron had a significant effect on branch number, fresh and dry weight, biomass and oil percentage. Similarly, harvest time had a significant influence on fresh and dry weight, essential oil content, essential oil yield and leaf iron content, but its effect was not significant on stem diameter and branch number. The best harvest time for Dracocephalum moldavica L. was at 100% of flowering and 6 ml/l of iron application showed the best results in all characters measured.

Chemically Synthesize Nanostructure Polypyrrole Derivatives and Fabrication of Gas Sensor Based on Synthesized Polymers

Chemically Synthesize Nanostructure Polypyrrole Derivatives and Fabrication of Gas Sensor Based on Synthesized Polymers Sajad Pirsa1 ∗, Naader Alizadeh2, Mohsen Zandi1, Hadi Almasi1, and Hassan Heidari3 1Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran 2Department of Chemistry, Factually of Science, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box, 14115-175, Tehran, Iran 3Analytical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, P.O. Box: 53714-161, Tabriz, Iran

Cerebrolysin effects on neurological outcomes and cerebral blood flow in acute ischemic stroke.

BackgroundCerebrolysin, a brain-derived neuropeptide, has been shown to improve the neurological outcomes of stroke, but no study has demonstrated its effect on cerebral blood flow. This study aimed to determine the cerebrolysin impact on the neurological outcomes and cerebral blood flow.MethodsIn a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 46 patients who had acute focal ischemic stroke were randomly assigned into two groups to receive intravenously either 30 mL of cerebrolysin diluted in normal saline daily for 10 days (n=23) or normal saline alone (n=23) adjunct to 100 mg of aspirin daily. All patients were examined using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and transcranial Doppler to measure the mean flow velocity and pulsatility index (PI) of their cerebral arteries at baseline as well as on days 30, 60, and 90.ResultsThe patients’ mean age was 60±9.7 years, and 51.2% of patients were male. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was significantly lower in the cerebrolysin group compared with the placebo group on day 60 (median 10, interquartile range 9–11, P=0.008) and day 90 (median 11, interquartile range 10–13.5, P=0.001). The median of PI in the right middle cerebral artery was significantly lower in the cerebrolysin group compared with the placebo group on days 30, 60, and 90 (P<0.05). One patient in the cerebrolysin group and two patients in the placebo group died before day 30 (4.3% versus 8.7%).ConclusionCerebrolysin can be useful to improve the neurological outcomes and the PI of middle cerebral artery in patients with acute focal ischemic stroke.

P025 - A study of general health status and depression in multiple sclerosis patients and its relation with some of their individual characteristics in the Urmia City, Islamic Republic of Iran

Introduction Mental health is a branch of general health that mostly discusses about decreasing psychological disorders in community. Somatic illness is known as a prominent risk factor affecting psychological health. Multiple sclerosis is classified in central nervous system disorders that destroys different segments of brain and spinal cord, by immune system attacks. Depression is associated with most of multiple sclerosis patients and unfortunately suicidal thoughts is obvious in these patients. This problem effects cognitive abilities and quality of life of patients. Materials and method In this analytic/descriptive study, 142 multiple sclerosis sufferers admitted in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Neurology Department of Urmia University of Medical Science, were evaluated after randomized selection. Then the patients were educated about questionnaire. Data collection was carried out using 2 questionnaires, one General Health Questionnaire GHQ-28 and other Beck Depression Questionnaire BDI and demographic characteristics. The main objective of this study was general health and depression status determination in multiple sclerosis sufferers. Results and conclusion The determination of a significant association with age, sex, occupation, duration, treatment and stage of disorder with general health status, concerned with correlation of general health status and personal characteristics of patients is a difficult task to be performed. However, it was associated with education level and was statistically significant at P=0.01 Mental health is a branch of general health that mostly discusses about decreasing psychological disorders in community. Somatic illness is known as a prominent risk factor affecting psychological health. Multiple sclerosis is classified in central nervous system disorders that destroys different segments of brain and spinal cord, by immune system attacks. Depression is associated with most of multiple sclerosis patients and unfortunately suicidal thoughts is obvious in these patients. This problem effects cognitive abilities and quality of life of patients. In this analytic/descriptive study, 142 multiple sclerosis sufferers admitted in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Neurology Department of Urmia University of Medical Science, were evaluated after randomized selection. Then the patients were educated about questionnaire. Data collection was carried out using 2 questionnaires, one General Health Questionnaire GHQ-28 and other Beck Depression Questionnaire BDI and demographic characteristics. The main objective of this study was general health and depression status determination in multiple sclerosis sufferers. The determination of a significant association with age, sex, occupation, duration, treatment and stage of disorder with general health status, concerned with correlation of general health status and personal characteristics of patients is a difficult task to be performed. However, it was associated with education level and was statistically significant at P=0.01

ChemInform Abstract: Catalyst‐Free Synthesis of 3‐(Alkylamino)‐2‐arylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine‐8‐carboxylic Acids via a Three‐Component Condensation.

Financial support was provided by the Research Council of Urmia University, Payame Noor University, the Ministerio de Economia Competitividad de Espana (MAT2010-15094, Factoria de Cristalizacion–Consolider Ingenio 2010), and ERDF.

Survey of the relationship between metabolic syndrome and myocardial infarction in hospitals of Urmia University of medical sciences.

Background and Aim:The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between metabolic syndrome and myocardial infarction in patients admitted to the hospitals of Urmia University of medical sciences.Methods:A case-control study population consisted of 172 patients with heart failure who were admitted to Seyedolshohada Hospital. In this method, the researchers present in the units and along with demographic questionnaire of patients, laboratory results needed for the survey (fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and HDL) with waist circumference size, blood pressure, height and weight were examined. Data after collection were analyzed using SPSS statistical software.Results:In this study of 172 patients with myocardial infarction, 56 patients (38.4%) patients were females and 112 (17.9%) were males. 1.2% of the patients were single, 84.8% were married, 0.6 were divorced and 13.5% were widowed, 116 patients (67.4%) with features of metabolic syndrome and 56 patients (32.6%) were lacking. In this study, females with myocardial infarction had more metabolic syndrome than males and in people whom relatives have a history of heart disease and also people who are overweight as well as obesity and also have features of metabolic syndrome and mean profiles of HDL, LDL, BMI, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride and waist circumference in males compared to males is higher. However, history of smoking, average number of cigarettes used per day, height and weight of males is higher than females.Other findings indicate a significant relationship between age and sex and having or not having a family history of heart failure, having or not having history of certain drugs and BMI of patient with metabolic syndrome. But a significant relationship was not found between the marital status, education, residence, income, previous history of heart disease, PCI, LDL, history of drug use, type of infarction, the extent of ejection and location with syndrome patients. In terms of survival, because none of the subjects in the study period had expired, this extent was not quantifiable.Conclusion:Considering the high prevalence of this disorder in Iran and that the high incidence of serious effects imposes on the health care system and that these disorders are somewhat flexible, effort towards lifestyle changes particularly healthy diets, physical activity, weight management and blood pressure, especially in women should be considered.

Traditional effects of medicinal plants in the treatment of respiratory diseases and disorders: an ethnobotanical study in the Urmia

ObjectiveTo identify, present and review the respiratoty medicinal plants which used by Urmian herbalists. MethodsThe list of traditional healers of West Azarbaijan Province was prepared and data were obtained by direct observation, interviews and the questionnaires After that, herbarium samples were collected from the desired area and deposited in herbarium unit of the Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. ResultsOur results demonstrated that 20 medicinal plants from 10 plant families are used to treat respiratory disorders. Also, the most plant part that used for treating of respiratory disorders was seed (27%) and the most traditional form prescribed by herbalists was boiled (54%). Forty three percentage of Urmia herbalists have used herbs for the treatment of cough. ConclusionsPeople in this area have a strong belief that plants have a positive impact in the treatment of respiratory disorders and they have used medicinal plants since ancient times to treat these disorders. Our study revealed the importance of herbal medicines and traditional medicine in this area as medicinal resource for drug discovery in future.

Ethnobotanic study of medicinal plants in Urmia city: identification and traditional using of antiparasites plants

ObjectiveTo identify the native medicinal plants used in parasitic diseases treatment in Urmia. MethodsThis study was conducted among 35 Urmia herbalists to identify medicinal plants used in parasitic diseases treatment. We used direct observation and interviews with collected herbarium specimens by native herbs commonly in the treatment of parasitic diseases. Questionnaires were included apothecary personal information and native plants list with information includes plant local name, plant parts used, method of their use and traditional therapies. Herbarium samples listed in the questionnaire collected from the area and were sent to agricultural research centers and Urmia University Faculty of Agriculture for genus and species determination. ResultsThirteen medicinal plants from six families for treatment of diabetes in Urmia were obtained from interviews. Most families have anti diabetic effect was included Asteraceae (36%). The most used was boiling (65%). ConclusionsIn view of the findings of this study indicate that plants have the potential to be a parasitic infection so it is necessary ingredients of native plants be studied to demonstrate therapeutic effects and provide field work to evaluate the clinical effects of these herbs and ingredients they claim on parasitic diseases.

Iranian university students’ experiences of and attitudes towards alternatives in assessment

This study investigated the effect of assessment type (self vs. peer vs. teacher) on university students’ academic achievement and students’ attitudes toward them. In the main study, 82 undergraduate English-as-a-Foreign-Language students in four classes at three universities in Iran were randomly assigned into one of self-, peer- and teacher-assessment or control groups. A pre-test was designed to measure students’ initial knowledge in the subject Teaching Methods. Then experimental groups were subjected to one of the assessment types; however, the control group received no intervention. Thirty-eight students from experimental groups completed an attitude questionnaire. A similarly designed follow-up study was conducted with two classes of BA Chemistry students taking a General English course at Urmia University. The application of one-way analysis of covariance on the main study post-test data indicated differences in performances of all groups, with peer-assessment group performing the best. Quantitative and qualitative analyses indicated that both self- and peer-assessment, as well as the teacher-assessment group, had positive attitudes toward their assessment experiences. The application of one-way analysis of variance on replication study data showed that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group on the post-test and that students in the former group had positive attitudes toward self-assessment.

Imposition of encapsulated non-indigenous probiotics into intestine may disturb human core microbiome.

1 Student Research Committee, Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran 2 Student Research Committee, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 3 Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran 4 Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran *Correspondence: yomidi@tbzmed.ac.ir

How Much, Leaves Near the Ear Contribute on Yield and Yield Components of Maize?

Abstract In order to study the role of leaf position on yield and yield component of maize, this research was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replicates at the research field of Urmia University, Urmia, Iran, in 2011. For determine the role of leaf position in maize yield, we used the leaf removing (clipping) treatments. Leaf clipping treatments contain ear leaf clipping, above ear leaf clipping, below ear leaf clipping and control (without leaf clipping) that imposed at one week after ear initiation. Leaf removing had a significant effect on all measured traits (number of seed per row, row number per ear, ear length, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, biological yield), except harvest index. Removing of above leaves decreased 6.68% the number of seeds on ear compare to control. The highest 1000 seed weight (274 g) was observed in plants without leaf clipping. Ear leaf clipping and below ear leaf defoliation ranked second for 1000 seed weight. Whereas plants without any leaf clipping had the utmost seed yield (8.77 t ha-1) but defoliating of leaf above ear lead to lower seed yield (6.77 t ha-1). Leaf removal above ear decreased 22.80% biological yield compared to control. The correlation analysis showed that all traits had positive correlation with seed yield. The most correlation was between ear length and number of row per ear (r=0.89**). Also, number of seed per row (r=0.71**), 1000 seed weight (r=0.67**), ear length (r=0.65**), biological yield and harvest index (r=0.59**) showed the most correlation with seed yield, respectively. Results revealed that the most reduction in all traits accrued in maize plants with above ear leaf clipping, this results indicated that the important roles of leaves position especially the role of above ear leaves in yield and yield components of maize.

Premenstrual syndrome and quality of life in Iranian medical students

Purpose of studyThe purpose of this research was to investigate the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in medical students and to evaluate the hypothesis that PMS may result in a decrease in quality of life. MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 142 female medical students who study at Urmia University of Medical Sciences were included. The data were compiled using a PMS questionnaire based on the fourth version (DSM-IV) criteria, the questionnaire of “Premenstrual Syndrome Scale” as well as the “World Health Organization's Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF)” questionnaire. FindingsIn total, 56 out of 142 (39.4%) female medical students met the DSM-IV criteria for PMS. In the PMS group, more than half of the girls, i.e. 60.6% had mild, 25.1% had moderate and 14.2% had severe PMS. PMS was found to be significantly high in students who have positive history of PMS in their first degree relatives and who have used drugs to relieve PMS symptoms (P < 0.05). Life quality score was low in more than half of the medical students, especially in psychological and social components (P > 0.05). However, the quality of life score means in mental health (P = 0.02) and environmental health (P = 0.002) decreases as the PMS score average increases. ConclusionThe results of premenstrual syndrome prevalence and their severity suggest that PMS is common in medical students and this adversely affects some domains of the quality of life. Improving the life quality of female medical students needs some interventions related to the PMS and also other interventions not related to PMS.

The Relationship between Individual Factors, Organizational and Financial Performance among University Faculty

The concept of organizational change, is a contradictory concept. Change can be positive and good, and can evaluate the negative and bad. University and higher education in any country is the most important part of the educational and training system. Universities, their origin and evolution is change. The purpose of this study was to examine organizational change based on individual factors, management and organization at the University of Urmia and Urmia University of Technology and its relationship with the university's faculty in 2013. The results suggest that from the perspective of one of the faculty members of the University and the University of Technology, personal factors, organizational change and performance faculty members, there is a significant relationship. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA

The relationship between vitamin D status and idiopathic lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis.

BackgroundVitamin D has been shown to have an anticoagulant effect. A decrease in 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration has also been associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Hence, we sought to determine the relationship between 25(OH) D levels and idiopathic lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT).MethodsIn a case control study, a total of 82 participants with idiopathic lower-extremity DVT were enrolled along with 85 sex- and age-matched healthy participants as controls. The plasma 25(OH)D levels were measured in all the studied samples.ResultsThe participants’ mean age was 47.1±12.3 years. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the groups. The concentration of 25(OH)D was significantly lower in the DVT group compared to that of the control group (17.9±10.3 versus 23.1±12.5 ng/mL, P=0.004). The prevalence of participants with deficient 25(OH)D levels was significantly higher in the both DVT and control groups than those with sufficient 25(OH)D levels (68.3% versus 13.4%, and 49.4% versus 28.2%, respectively, P=0.027). In a multivariate analysis, 25(OH)D levels and sex were found to be the only independent predictors of DVT (odds ratio [OR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.08, P=0.001 and OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.26–1.00, P=0.049, respectively).ConclusionLow levels of 25(OH)D are associated with idiopathic lower-extremity DVT. Further investigation is needed to establish determinants and probable causative role of 25(OH)D.

Assessing study skills among university students: an Iranian survey.

Purpose:Numerous studies have revealed that study skills have a constructive role on the academic performance of students, in addition to educational quality, students’ intelligence, and their affective characteristics. This study aims to examine study skills and the factors influencing them among the health sciences students of Urmia University of Medical Sciences in Iran.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study carried out from May to November 2013. A total of 340 Urmia health sciences students were selected using a simple sampling method. Data were collected using the Study Skills Assessment Questionnaire of Counseling Center of Houston University and analyzed with descriptive and analytical statistics.Results:The mean and standard deviation of the students’ study skills were 172.5±23.2, out of a total score of 240. Around 1.2% of the study skills were weak; 86.8%, moderate; and 12%, good. Among the study skills, the scores of time management, and memory and concentration were better than the others. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between study skills scores and the students’ family housing status and academic level (P<0.05).Conclusion:Although the majority of the participants had moderate study skills, these were not sufficient and far from good. Improving and promoting the study skills of university students require the designing and implementing of education programs for study strategies. Therefore, decision makers and planners in the educational areas of universities should consider the topic described above.

Scoring Argumentative Essays based on Thematic Progression Patterns and IELTS Analytic Scoring Criteria

This study investigated any possible relationship between the learners’ essay scores based on IELTS analytic essay scoring criteria and those based on the ratio of thematic progression patterns. The participants included a class of upper-intermediate students at Urmia University in “Essay Writing” course and were assigned an argumentative topic to write about. Analytic scores were given using IELTS scoring criteria, and then based on thematic progression patterns–including constant (CP), simple linear (SLP), split, and derived hyper-thematic progression (Danes, 1974; McCabe, 1999). The findings indicated no strong correlation between the scores based on IELTS writing scoring criteria and those based on thematic progression patterns. This study calls for including thematic progression as an important index in scoring essays at high-stake exams. Suggestions are also given for teachers to diversify their corrective feedback they provide to their students’ writings through including discoursal features of essays such as thematic progression.

Collaborative Summary Writing and EFL Students’ L2 Development

The current study investigated the effectiveness of Collaborative Summary Writing (CSW) on university students’ second language (L2) development. The study used 86 first year students in three intact classes studying in Urmia University of Medical Sciences. In one of the classes, students were assigned to dyads, and in the second one the participants were assigned to triads. These two classes were used as experimental groups and the third one was the control group in which the students were required to carry out the summary writing task individually. The study lasted 16 weeks and involved a pre- and post-test. Writing quality was determined by a holistic rating procedure that included content, organization, grammar, vocabulary, and mechanics. Results of the study showed that CSW experience had an overall significant effect on all students’ L2 development; however, it was evidenced that students in pairs benefited the most. Considering writing improvement, it was observed that students’ writing ability improved significantly in terms of content, organization, and vocabulary, but not for grammar or mechanics. Finally, a number of theoretical and pedagogical implications for further research are presented.

Iranian EFL Learners’ Willingness to Communicate and Language Learning Orientations

Willingness to communicate (WTC) has been defined as the intention to initiate communication, given a choice. It was speculated that orientations toward language learning would affect students’ WTC in a foreign language (FL). Being that, Urmia university students, living in a somewhat multilingual community, participated in the current study. Be that as it may, questionnaires on WTC inside and outside the classroom and the questionnaire on language learning orientations adapted from MacIntyre, et al., (2001) were put to good use for the purpose of collecting data. Hence WTC inside and outside the classroom was measured in each of four skill areas: speaking, writing, reading, and comprehension. Alternatively, five orientations or causes of studying a FL were investigated: travel, job related, friendship, personal knowledge, and school achievement. Under those circumstances, results revealed that application of all five orientations for language learning was poorly correlated with WTC both inside and outside the classroom. Moreover, job related orientation scores were weakly correlated with WTC outside the classroom contrary to expectations. Given these points, it would come to light that stronger orientations for language learning tend to be more favorably related to WTC inside than outside the classroom.