[Effect of 3-4,methylenedioxymethamphetamine in CA1 hippocampal neurons in male rats]

Considering the role of the hippocampus in memory, this study was done to evaluate the effect of 3-4,methylenedioxymethamphetamine on CA1 hippocampal neurons in male rats. In this experimental study 18 sprague dawley male rats [200-250g] were randomly allocated into three groups as follow: control [intact], control sham and experimental groups. Sham and experimental groups were received normal salin [1 cc] and MDMA10mg/kg IP for 7 days, respectively. Following transcardial perfusion by paraformaldehid 4%, structure and ultrastructure of right CA1 hippocampus were assessed by crysel violet staining and electronic microscope. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, ANOVA and Tukey tests. There was no significant difference between control [mean=210 +/- 40.38] and sham groups [mean=199 +/- 38.7] in neuron density. Neuron number decreased significantly in experimental group [mean=98 +/- 25.4] in compare to control and sham groups [P<0.001]. There was no ultrastructural abnormality in control and sham groups. Finally, ultrastructural changes with apoptosis characterized by mitochondrial cristae reduction, distribution of nuclear chromatin and loss of cytoplasmic organelles in MDMA groups. This study shows that MDMA administration can stimulate the cell death with apoptotic pattern in hippocampus

[Comparison of fluoride uptake into enamel from sodium fluoride gel 0.05% produced in Iran and stannous fluoride 0.4% gel]

The present study compared fluoride uptake into enamel from sodium fluoride 0.05% gel and American Dental Association approved fluoride gel [Stannous fluoride 0.4%, Sultan Co.] when used on healthy enamel of the intact teeth. In an experimental study, 30 intact teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes were randomly assigned into two groups of 15 teeth. The teeth were sectioned in two mesial and distal halves as control and experimental sides. Defined semi-circular areas on the enamel of experimental halves were treated with gel for 4 minutes, the halves were stored in artificial saliva for 24 hours at 37§C, etched for 30 seconds by 0.5 M perchlorid Acid and washed by 0.2 ml KOH after each etching. Biopsy of the samples was obtained by Acid Etch Enamel Biopsy technique and the fluoride and calcium concentration were calculated by potentiometer and spectrophotometer respectively. Paired t test and student t test were used for statistical analyses. The results showed significant increase of enamel fluoride content in the experimental halves after exposure to both stannous fluoride 0.4% [P=0.0001] and sodium fluoride 0.05% [P=0.009]. Mean fluoride uptakes in stannous fluoride 0.4% gel and sodium fluoride 0.05% gel groups were respectively 4052.5 ppm and 892.5 ppm that shows statistically significant difference [P=0.0001]. Although both sodium fluoride 0.05% and stannous fluoride 0.4% increased fluoride Content of tooth enamel after application, stannous fluoride 0.4% caused more fluoride uptake into the tooth enamel that is due to its higher amount of fluoride ion [1000 ppm] compared to sodium fluoride gel [225 ppm]

Socioeconomic disparities and smoking habits in metabolic syndrome: evidence from Isfahan healthy heart program

The metabolic syndrome [Mets] consists of major clustering of cardiovascular disease [CVD] risk factors. This study determines the association of socioeconomic determinants and smoking behavior in a population-based sample of Iranians with Mets. This cross-sectional survey comprised 12600 randomly selected men and women aged >/= 19 years living in three counties in central part of Iran. They participated in the baseline survey of a community-based program for CVD prevention entitled" Isfahan Healthy Heart Program" in 2000-2001. Subjects with Mets were selected based on NCEP- ATPIII criteria. Demographic data, medical history, lifestyle, smoking habits, physical examination, blood pressure, obesity indices and serum lipids were determined. The mean age of subjects with Mets was significantly higher. The mean age of smokers in both groups was higher than non-smokers but with lower WC and WHR. Marital status, age and residency were not significantly different in smokers with Mets and non-smokers with Mets. Smoking was more common in the middle educational group in the income category of Quartile 1-3. Mets was significantly related to age, sex and education. Middle-aged and elderly smokers were at approximately 4-5 times higher risk among Mets subjects. Low education decreased the risk of Mets by 0.48; similarly in non-smokers, 6-12 years of education decreased the risk of Mets by 0.72. More educated persons had a better awareness and behavior related to their health and role of smoking. In the lower social strata of the Iranian population, more efforts are needed against smoking habits

Relationship between obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in adults living in central Iran: results of Isfahan healthy heart program

As previous studies on the association between obesity and cardiovascular [CVD] risk factors have been made in limited populations, this study was performed to determine the association in 3 cities in the central parts of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, data collected in the1st phase of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program [IHHP], involving 12514 subjects "19 years old, conducted during 2000-2001, in Isfahan and the Central Provinces of Iran, were analyzed. Fasting blood sugar [FBS], 2-hour post-load plasma glucose [2hpp], serum lipid profile, anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were determined by standard methods. FBS, 2hpp, serum lipids fractions [except for HDL-C] and blood pressure had significant positive relations with body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference [WC] [all p-values < 0.001]. As compared to the 1st quartile of WC, odds ratios [OR; 95% CI] of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia in the 4th quartile were 2.8 [1.2-3.3], 3 [1.6-4.3] and 2.4 [1.9-3.1] in men and 2.5 [1.8-3.4], 2.7 [1.3-3.8] and 2.5 [2-3.2] in women, respectively. Also, ORs [95% CI] of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemic in 4th quartile of BMI, as compared to the 1st, were 1.6 [1.2-2], 2.8 [1.7-3.9] and 3 [2.4-3.8] in men and 1.9 [1.4-2.4], 2.6 [1.4-3.7] and 1.6 [1.2-2] in women, respectively. ORs of these risk facrors increased with increasing WC and BMI. Therefore, it is concluded that both obesity indicators increase the chance of CVD risk factors