Effects of mesenchymal stem cells with injectable scaffold on cardiac function in myocardial infarction in Rabbit

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells can transdifferentiate into Cardiomyocyte cells and improve heart function after transplantation. Since biomaterials can improve the cell retention in the site, cell survival and differentiation, heart tissue engineering is now being explored as an applied solution to support cell-based therapies and increase their efficacy for myocardial diseases. Chitosan in combination with Glycerol Phosphate [GP] can produce a thermo sensitive material that in body temperature can form a jellylike material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a combination of autologous undifferentiated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] and injectable scaffold on cardiac function improvement in rabbits after inducing myocardial infarction. The Left Anterior Descending [LAD] coronary artery was ligated by No. 6-0 poly amide suture material, and autologous MSCs with injectable scaffold were injected into the margins of the infarcted zone at the time of surgery. At 4 weeks after transplantation, the cardiac function and structure was detected using echocardiography. There was no significant difference among the three groups [MI only, MI Scaffold, and MI+Scaffold+MSCs] in the Echocardio-graphic parameters including, heart rate [HR], Ejection Fraction [EF], Fractional Shortening [FS], Left Ventricular Diameter [LVD] and Left Ventricular Parietal Wall Diameter [LVPW]. A combination of autologous undifferentiated bone marrow MSCs and injectable scaffold made of Chitosan+ Glycerol Phosphate in echocardiographic evaluation did not have a positive influence on achieving functional improvement

[Investigation of the relationship between internet addiction and depression, anxiety, stress and social phobia among students in Isfahan University]

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between internet addiction and depression, anxiety, stress and social phobia among students in Isfahan University. This is a cross-sectional study [descriptive-analytic]. The study population was students of Isfahan University, in Iran. 71 students [36 girls and 35 boys] were randomly entered into the study. We used Young's internet addiction test [IAT], depression anxiety stress scale [DASS] and social phobia inventory [SPIN]. The data were analysed by correlation and regression analysis. The results indicated a significant correlation between internet addiction and each clinical variable [depression, anxiety, stress and social phobia [p<0.001]. Also the results of regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between internet addiction and the set of these clinical variables [r=0.62]. These clinical variables can predict 39% of addiction to the internet [p<0.001]. The results of the current study implied that the set of these clinical variables [depression, anxiety, stress and social phobia] can predict internet addiction

Years of life lost due to intentional and unintentional injuries in mazandaran province in 1387

Years of life lost [YLL] was designed by the World Health Organization [WHO] to measure and analyze the burden of various diseases. Intentional and unintentional injuries, is the second cause of death in Iran. Since there is little know about the burden of injuries, this study designed to measure YLL in this group as a key indicator of population health and priority setting in health. Years of life lost was calculated based on death data from Death Registration System in Mazandaran province. During the year 1387 in Mazandaran province, 39, 421 years lost due to intentional and unintentional injury. 30, 498 years that related to men and 8923 years related to women. In this province injury has been the first cause of YLL in both sexes and age groups 20-24, 25-29 and 15-19 years, respectively. Considering the results of this study and the high number of years lost due to accidents in the province, especially in men, it seems that more appropriate interventions programs for at risk age group of men in province is required

[Health-related quality of life in chemical warfare victims with bronchiolitis obliterans]

Introduction: Bronchiolitis has the major effect on patient's daily living. This study applied in order to the assessment of the quality of life in chemical warfare victims with bronchilitis obliterans

Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, were selected 93 chemical warfare victims with bronchiolitis obliterans referred to respiratory clinic of Baqyatallah hospital by convenience sampling method for research. Quality of life was measured with St George's Respiratory Questionnaire

Results: Mean of scores of symptoms, activity and impact domains and global scores was 85.56, 77.38, 68.5 and 74.25 ordinary. Quality of life was significantly correlated with percent of chemical injury and reverse correlation with FEV1. Persons with diploma and up education and employees have better quality of life

Conclusion: This findings show severs decrease of quality of life in these individuals. Lower quality of life related to decrease of FEV1 and affected to eye, skin and psychology disorders show global attention to promotion of the quality of life in chemical warfare victim with bronchiolitis obliterans

[Benchmarking records of administrators and officers at health deputy headquarters of Iranian universities of medical sciences: 2008 - 2010]

Benchmarking is used to identify the successful experiences and achievements of a business to develop and improve organizational performance. This study aimed to determine, firstly, the frequency of benchmarking made by administrators and officers at Health Deputy headquarters of Iranian universities of medical sciences and, secondly, the relationship of this frequency to individual and organizational factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted in spring 2010. The research population constituted administrators and officers at Health Deputy Headquarters of Iranian universities of medical sciences from which thirteen universities were randomized and stratified. All available administrators and officers in the selected universities were interviewed and, then, were asked to complete a reliable and valid questionnaire consisting of individual and organizational variables. From the 293 administrators and officers under study, 75 [26.5%] could exploit 167 cases of successful experiences and achievements of other organizations to improve and develop their organizational performance. While 46.7% of benchmarking was conducted through site visits, 86.2 % of all the process was performed by the health sector, and 91% of the activity was done within the country. Among individual and organizational factors, only the educational degrees of the participants showed a significant relationship with benchmarking rates [p=0.045]. To promote the low amount of benchmarking capita among the administrators and officers, it seems necessary to design and implement intervention programs

[Pattern of drowning and its burden in northern provinces of Iran [Gilan and Mazandaran] in 2008]

Drowning is a major and serious public health problem in the northern provinces of Iran. It has significant opportunities for prevention. The aim of this study was to review the epidemiological pattern and burden of drowning in northern area f Iran. To examine the incidence and characteristics of drowning in recreational water settings, we analyzed all available data from death registry in 2008 year in Mazandaran and Gilan provinces, located in north of Iran, through a retrospective study. Collective form was based on standard World Health Organization and then the burden of drowning was calculated. During 2008, 158 indigenous [88.6% male and 11.4% female] people from these provinces died due to drowning. The mean age of the drowned was 26.4 [SD=16.2] years. The drowning death rate was 2.9 per 100,000 population in two provinces. Most of cases [85.4%] of drowning occurred in sea and majority of death was in August [29.7 percent]. Number of years lost was 4110 equivalent of 76.1 per 100,000 respectively. Most DALYs was seen to age group 10-19 years. It is highly recommended the findings of this project should be considered for any future preventive plan by health authorizes in those provinces

role of family physician in case finding, referral, and insurance coverage in the rural areas

WHO suggest that family physician is the core in the world efforts for quality improvement, cost effectiveness, and equity in the health care systems. This study evaluates the impact of the program on accessibility of the services, case finding, patient referral, feedback process and insurance coverage in the rural health units. This study was quasi experimental. It compared the function of four health centers and eight health houses in the last three months of year 2004 with 2008. Data extracted from the available documents in the health units. Descriptive and analytical analysis was performed by using SPSS software. The presence of physicians in health centers were 75 and 100 percent for 2004 and 2008 respectively, this rate for midwives were 50 and 100 percent for the same years respectively. The total referral cases to the hospitals were 2676, the feedback rate was recorded in 36% of the cases. In this case the follow up rate by physicians was 0% in 2004 and 3.17% in 2008. Insurance coverage rate was 27% and 97% for 2004 and 2008 respectively within a meaningful P value range at 95% CI. The findings of this study show that the family physician program has the positive impact on function of health units in terms of availability of physicians and midwives and also insurance coverage at health centers in rural area. No impact on patient follow up and case referral rate was detected

[ effects of green tea extract on serum adiponectin concentration and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus]

Adiponectin is a novel adipose tissue-specific adipokine that can increase insulin sensitivity. Many studies have shown anti obesity and anti diabetic effects of green tea consumption. In this study we examined the effects of green tea extract on circulating adiponectin levels and insulin resistance status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM]. In this double blind randomized clinical trial 58 type 2 diabetic patients with BMI >/= 25 were recruited from an unselected population from the outpatient clinic of Shariati hospital, Tehran, Iran. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; green tea extract and placebo. All the patients received the capsules for 8 weeks. Laboratory measurements including fasting serum adiponectin, insulin, HOMA-IR, FPG, OGTT, HbA1c and lipid profile and anthropometric were performed before and after the intervention. Nutrient intakes were obtained via 24-hour recall from each patient in three successive days. The data were analyzed using appropriate software. We found a significant effect of green tea extract on increasing the logarithm of serum adiponectin in diabetic patients [0.15 +/- 0.10 micro g/ ml, P<0.05]. A significant independent correlation between the logarithm of serum adiponectin and WHR [Waist to Hip Ratio] was found [P=0.009, t=-2.7]. The consumption of green tea extract had a significant effect in control the levels of HbA1C, weigh and also BMI in green tea group [P<0.05]. The results showed that consumption of green tea extract can be useful in the control of T2DM by increasing the levels of serum adiponectin and controlling the weight, BMI and HbA1C levels in patients with T2DM

[Knowledge level attitude and performance of women on diet and exercise and their relation with cardiovascular diseases risk factors]

Nowadays cardiovascular diseases have affected more women than men. A healthy diet and physical activity are two essential factors in life style Unhealthy life style have direct effect on these risk factors. A survey of women's lifestyle due to their important role in family life style can help to recognize problems as well as to establish guidelines for society family health Promotion programs. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, life style and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases was evaluated by standard Monica questionnaire in Zanjan. In this study 997 women older than 20 years were analyzed. The majority of the subjects had a good knowledge about the effect of exercise [66/7%] and the attitude [4/62%] on cardiovascular disease prevention. But a few of them had appropriate performance [24/1%]. There was a significant statistical difference in the level of blood cholesterol [P=0/02] fasting blood sugar [P=0/03] and blood pressure [P=0/02] and physical activity and exercise. But there was no significant statistical difference in the level of knowledge about diet with the level of blood cholesterol, sugar, hypertension and their performance. Knowledge alone doesn't guarantee the performance of individuals. An intervention in order to improve the health behaviors is necessary

Hypocholesterolemic and antiatherosclerotic effect of Artemisia aucheri in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Atherosclerosis which results from gradual deposition of lipids in arteries is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Diet is one of the most important factors underlying atherosclerosis. High-cholesterol diets enhance atherosclerosis and vegetarian diets are known to slow down the process. Artemisia aucheri is a herb of the Composite family. Many species of Artemisia have proven hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties. This study determine the effects of Artemisia aucheri on lipoproteins and atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Fifteen male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. Normal diet group, high-cholesterol diet group [1% cholesterol] and Artemisia aucheri group [1% cholesterol diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg body weight the Artemisi aucheri every other day]. Biochemical factors were measured at the start, end of the first and second months of the study. At the end of the study, the aorta were removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. The results indicate that Artemisia aucheri significantly reduced the level of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerids and increased HDL cholesterol. The degree of atherosclerotic thickness was significantly reduced in the treated group. Therefore, Artemisia aucheri is one of the useful herbal medicine for preventation of atherosclerosis and more studies in this regard is recommended

Effect of artemisia aucheri on regression of atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits

Atherosclerosis which is the most common risk factor for CHD is caused by a gradual deposition of lipids in large and small arteries. Nowadays regression and suppression of atherosclerotic lesion is one of the candidate approach for prevention of atherosclerotic complication. Whereas large majority of people use herbal medicine for treatment, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of A. aucheri on regression of atherosclerosis in atherosclerotic rabbits. Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of five each and treated 3-months as follows: 1: normal diet for 3- month, 2, 3 and 4: Hypercholesterolemic diet [HCD] for 2- month. One group [2] killed after this period and two groups [3 and 4] received normal dietand normal diet + A. aucheri [100 mg. kg-1 .day-1] respectively for an additional 1 - month [regression period]. Biochemical factors [total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol and triglycerides] were measured at first, end of second and third month. At the end of the study, animals killed and aortas were removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Normal diet in regression period improved lipid profile but the animals in this group showed no regression but rather progression of atherosclerosis. Whereas extract of A. aucheri significantly decreased atherosclerotic area in the aorta. These findings suggest that control diet without additional treatment cannot stop the progression of atherosclerosis. To use A. aucheri with control diet can stop progression of atherosclerosis and is effective for regression of atherosclerotic lesion

[ burden of disease and injury in Iran in the year 2003]

Disability-Adjusted Life Years [DALY] summarizes the fatal and nonfatal outcomes of diseases and injuries in one number and gives a quantitative assessment of the health of a population. Estimating the burden of diseases and injuries in Iran in terms of DALY both nationwide and in 6 provinces. We used slightly modified versions of the methods developed by the World Health Organization for estimating the burden of premature mortality, disability, and the DALY. The DALY rate per 100,000 was 21572 and 62% of this was life lost due to premature mortality; the remaining 38% was due to disability from diseases and injuries. Fifty-eight percent of the total DALYs had been lost due to non-communicable diseases, 28% due to external causes [injuries], and 14% due to communicable, maternal/ perinatal and nutritional illnesses. The group of diseases and injuries with the highest burden in males was intentional and unintentional injuries [2.789 million DALYs], while in the female population this position was held by mental disorders with 1.191 million DALYs. The single most important cause of burden was traffic accidents in males and ischemic heart disease in females. Disease burden showed considerable variability between different provinces. The profile of health and disease in Iran has generally shifted from the predominance of communicable, maternal/perinatal, and nutritional illnesses towards predominance of non-communicable diseases and injuries at the national level. These figures on disease burden at population level are the most objective evidence that can be used in policy making and management of health programs, health research, and resource development within the health sector

[In vitro evaluation of the accuracy of two new electronic apex locators in root canal length determination]

Radiography is still the common method of measuring working length in root canal therapy. While, gag reflex, pregnancy or superimposition of anatomical structures on root canal may be considered as some of the limitations to this procedure. Therefore, application of any accessory measurement device may be useful. The aim of this investigation was to assess the ability of two apex locator systems [Ipex and Raypex5] in measuring root canal length accurately. A total of 160 extracted human teeth were used in this laboratory investigation. The teeth were divided into 3 groups of single-canal, two-canal and three-canal teeth. The access cavities were then prepared and the actual length of each canal was measured by inserting an appropriate file into the canal until the tip of the file was seen at the apical foramen. The Donnelly test medium was prepared and each tooth was placed in the medium up to the CEJ. The length of each tooth was measured again and recorded using Ipex and Raypex5 systems. The data were statistically analyzed using Liner-Regression, McNemar and t-tests. The accuracy of Raypex5 showed to be 83.1% [95% CI: 77.3-89]. Likewise the accuracy of Ipex was 78.8% [95% CI: 72.3-85.2]. Both measurements were with in the limits of +/- 0.5mm from apical foramen. Mc Nemar test showed no significant difference between the two groups [P=0.337]. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that manufacturers' data are not always reliable. However, these systems can be used as accessories in addition to radiography for accurate working length measurements

Effect of Artemisia aucheri extract on atherogenic lipids and atherogenesis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Atherosclerosis that is caused a gradual deposition of lipids in muscular arteries remain a major cause of mortality worldwide. Dietary is one of the most important environmental factors associated with the incidence of these diseases. Diets high in cholesterol have been shown to promote atherosclerosis. Inversly diets high in vegetables have been shown to reduce development this disease. In many species of Artemisia evaluated antioxidative properties. The objective of this study was evaluating the effect of Artemisia aucheri extract on blood lipids and development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed by a high cholesterol diet. Fifteen male rabbits were randomly divided in three experimental groups [normal diet group, hypercholesterolemic diet [HCD] group and the group that fed by HCD + supplemented with 100 mg/kg body weight Artemisia aucheri extract every other day]. Total cholesterol [TC], LDL cholesterol, triglycerides [TG] and HDL cholesterol were measured before and after 1 and 2 months of experimental period. At the end of the experimental period the aorta was removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Artemisia aucheri significantly reduced the levels of TC, LDL, TG and significantly increased the level of HDL. Degree of atherosclerotic plaque significantly reduced in this group. Results of this study indicate that Artemisia aucheri extract inhibits the development of atherosclerosis. This may be related to the effect of Artemisia aucheri on plasma lipoproteins in addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties