Genetic polymorphisms 415 (T>C) (RS9658635) and +87 (C>T) (RS7610) and serum level of chromogranin A in subjects with metabolic syndrome in the Fars ethnic group.

The aim of study was to assess genetic polymorphisms and serum level of chromogranin A (CgA) and its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) components in the Fars ethnic group. Two hundred and forty-six people from Fars ethnic group participated in the study. The ATP III criteria were used to determine MetS components. The serum CgA level was measured by ELISA and the detection of the two regions were performed by TETRA ARMs-PCR and RFLPPCR methods. In results, the CC, CT, and TT genotypes of +87 C>T were 65%, 31.7%, and 3.2%, and were 74.8%, 25.2%, and 0% in subjects with and without MetS, respectively. The C and T alleles of +87 C>T were 81%, 19% and 79%, 21% in both groups, respectively. The TT, CT, and CC genotypes of -415 T>C were 76.4%, 21.1%, 2.4% and were 58.5%, 40.6% and 0.8% in subjects with and without MetS, respectively. The T and C alleles were 87% and 13% and 79% and 21% in both groups, respectively. There was correlation between serum level of fasting blood sugar (FBS) and CgA in subjects with MetS. We conclude that the increased CgA level in the subjects with MetS has a positive significant relationship with serum level of FBS. The most differences in CgA gene polymorphism were seen in -415 T>C genotype than that of +87C>T genotype when compared two groups. It may mean that subjects with MetS in the Fars ethnic group are more sensitive and greater risk for the development of MetS in the genotype of -415 T>C.

Prevalence of stress among Iranian medical students: a questionnaire survey.

A cross-sectional study measured the frequency of self-reported stress symptoms among a weighted random sample of medical students in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran. The data were gathered using the Kessler 10-item psychological distress scale. The overall prevalence of stress among 222 students was 61.3% and there were no statistically significant differences in stress levels between students in the pre-clinical and clinical phases or different years of study. Married students had significantly lower scores than single students but there were no differences between the sexes. Students who chose to study medicine had lower stress scores than those who were influenced by family or had no choice about the subject. Students with mild to moderate stress were significantly more likely to suffer physical problems (OR = 4.42). Interventions are needed to tackle stress and improve Iranian medical students' physical and psychological well-being.

Lipid peroxidation alterations in type 2 diabetic patients.

It was studied that type 2 diabetes mellitus is connected with increased plasma lipid peroxidation (lipid peroxidation expressed as malondialdehyde). This review aimed to evaluate the state of lipid peroxidation among type 2 diabetic subjects. Present finding showed that lipid peroxidation increased in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Increased lipid peroxidation maybe is associated with some diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. Lipid peroxidation has an important role in the pathogenesis and the complications of diabetes. Antioxidants have been found to prevent the progression and occurrence of diabetes. There are several mechanisms that may cause lipid peroxidation affront in diabetic subjects, although, their precise contributions are not completely clear. We proposed that production of free radicals can be reduced by preventing high blood glucose levels and by the control of instabilities in blood glucose levels. A contributor to these instabilities in blood glucose is glycaemic control by using of fast blood sugar test. Furthermore, the earlier assessment of the advancement of diabetes that firmly control of blood glucose can be obtained; the greater will be the decrease in diabetic complications. Patients with type 2 diabetes may have very high physiological antioxidants requirements.

Use of leisure time in cardiovascular patients in Gorgan (south east of Caspian Sea).

The aim of this study was to compare activity patterns and leisure time between matched groups of patients with cardiovascular disease and individuals without a heart disease. The study included 100 patients recruited from those referred to cardiology department of 5th Azar General Hospital of Golestan University of Medical Sciences in Gorgan (South East of Caspian Sea) and 100 matched control subjects during the period 2007-2008. Odds ratios (OR), together with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), were calculated using logistic regression, as estimates of relative risks. Listening to music OR = 8.800 (95% CI: 2.717-28.499, p<0.05), meditation OR = 6.111 (95% CI; 2.616-14.274, p<0.05) were independent risk factors. Subjects who performed 2 h per week and 2-4 h per week physical activity, the odds ratios were 0.038 (95% CI: 0.012-0.124, p<0.05) and 0.079, (95% CI: 0.024-0.260, p<0.05), respectively. Low physical activity and use of long time relaxation are associated with cardiovascular disease in these patients. Regular participation in physical activity such as walking 2 h per week and 2-4 h per week, are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. This study suggests the importance of both leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behaviors in the prevention of CVD.

The effect of spatial learning on the number of astrocytes in the CA3 subfield of the rat hippocampus.

INTRODUCTION: Astrocytes play an important role in the hippocampus, probably in memory and learning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of astrocytes in the CA3 subfield of the rat hippocampus after spatial learning using the Morris water maze with reference and working memory methods. METHODS: 45 male albino wistar rats were divided into three groups, with 15 rats in the control group and 15 rats in each of the other two groups. The two study groups of rats underwent spatial learning using the Morris water maze, with one group trained using the reference memory and the other, the working memory technique, respectively. After histological processing, the slides of the brains were stained with the phosphotanguestic acid haematoxylin staining method for detection of the astrocytes. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the number of astrocytes in the CA3 area between the control and reference memory groups. The difference between control and working memory groups was significant as well. Additionally, when comparing the two learning groups, we also found significant differences between them. CONCLUSION: The number of astrocytes increased due to spatial learning.

Stress among medical students of Gorgan (South East of Caspian Sea), Iran.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of psychological stress and association between the levels of stress and study variables among Gorgan medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All three year medical students (129 basic sciences students) in Gorgan Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, were asked to complete the Kessler 10 questionnaire. RESULTS: The findings showed mild, moderate and severe stress among 26.22%, 20.50% and 14.75% study subjects. 39.35% of medical students had no stress. There was statistically significant association between year of study and stress levels (p= 0.040). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that there is a decrease in the psychological health of first year medical students. Provided that stress management courses are organised by medical schools, when the students arrive, they will cope up with the stress in coming years. These courses may reduce the negative effects of stress on medical students. By providing such courses and reducing stress level, medical students may improve their medical education.

Age related prostate-specific antigen reference range among men in south-East Caspian Sea.

The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and to determine age-specific reference range in a population of Persian men. Venous blood samples were taken from 287 men, from Gorgan located in the North of Iran, South-East of Caspian Sea, aged 15 > or = 80 year. The serum PSA levels was measured using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbant-Assay (ELISA) technique and age-specific range for PSA level was determined. The serum prostate-specific antigen level for six age group of 15-40 years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years, 61-70 years, 71-80 years and >80 years were mainly in the range of 0-2.5 ng mL(-1), for 76.6%, 2.6-4 ng mL(-1) for 9.1% and as whole 85.7% of all men in this study had < or = 4 ng mL(-1), 8.7 and 5.6% all men of six age group had PSA level of 4.1-10 ng mL(-1) and >10 ng mL(-1), respectively. The findings of present study indicated that a large proportion (76.6%) men in this region have a lower PSA level of 0-2.5 ng mL(-1) and only 9.1% of men have PSA level of 2.6-4 ng mL(-1). It is therefore concluded that acceptable reference range of 0-4 ng mL(-1) for PSA level require further reassessment.