KNOWLEDGE AND HEALTH
Year:2015 | Volume:10 | Issue:3 |Papers Count:12

Introduction: Nowadays, Non-communicable diseases are widespread due to modernization of societies, technology development, population density in urban areas and changes in life style. Variety of cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death and important factors of failure in most countries including Iran. This study was conducted to determine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation on the lifestyle of patients with myocardial infarction.Methods: In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, after sampling, 66 patients were randomly selected and assigned to either the control or test group. An orientation session was held to explain the research goals and intervention. The test group did the progressive muscle relaxation technique, two 20-30 minutes sessions daily for 2 months (120 sessions). Data collection tools were demographic information questionnaire, lifestyle questionnaire and self report check list.Results: Independent t- test and mann-whitney U showed there are no significant differences in four aspects of life before the intervention, but these differences were significant after the intervention (P<0.05). ANOVA with repeated measures in three different times (before, 1 and 2 months after intervention) showed significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion: Applying progressive muscle relaxation technique would modify, adjust and improve various aspects of lifestyle of patients suffering myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Brain‐ derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophic factor family that plays key role in regulating survival, growth and maintenance of neurons. BDNF is thought to be contributed in thecellular and molecular responses to exercise; however, the effects of exercise interventions on BDNF are not well understood.Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of resistance training on plasma BDNF levels in rats.Methods: Forty female Wistar rats were divided randomly into control and resistance training groups. The resistancetraining group, consisting two subgroups, 4 weeks and one exercise session. Ladder climbing while carrying weights was considered as resistance training task. Each session contained three sets of training with five repetitions. In the group with one training session, immediately, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the exercise and in the group with 4 weeks training sessions, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the last exercise session, the animals were anesthetized and blood samples were taken.Results: The result showed that there are signifiant difference in plasma BDNF levels between the one resistance exercise and 4 weeks resistance training groups at time course of 24h (P=0), 48h (P=0.001) and 72 hours (P=0.002). Plasma BDNF levels decreased following by 4 weeks resistance training at time course 24 and 72 h after the last exercise session (P=0.04 and 0.02 respectively). Plasma BDNF levels increased significantly in the test group following by a resistance exercise at time course immediately, 24 and 72 h after exercise (P=0.001, 0.009 and 0.027 respectively).Conclusion: Number of the training sessions has important role on plasma level of the neurotrophin in response to the resistance training. Thus, resistance exercise is one of the proper models to examine the molecular behavior of this neurotrophin.

Introduction: The aim of study was to evaluate the effect of 10 weeks aerobic exercise training on left ventricular systolic function, caspase-3level and infarction size in myocardial infarction rats.Methods: Four weeks after the myocardial infarction, 30 male Wistar rats were randomized to the three equally sized groups of Sham-operated control (Sham); Sedentary-MI (SedMI) and Exercise-MI (ExMI).The latest group were subjected to aerobic training in the form of treadmill running (50 min/day, 5 times per week, 17 m/min). Before and after the training program, all subjects went under echocardiography.Results: Statistical analysis of the data showed that the rate of ejection fraction and the fractional shortening at 4 and 14 weeks after myocardial infarction decreased significantly in SedMI and ExMI compared to the Sham group (P<0.05). But the rate of ejection fraction and fractional shortening at 14 weeks after myocardial infarction in ExMI group was significantly greater than SedMI group (P<0.05). Also, infarction size and mortality rate decreased significantly in response to exercise training but the caspase-3 activity was not different between groups.Conclusion: 10-weeks aerobic exercise training program, 4 weeks after myocardial infarction, reduced cardiac dysfunctions after myocardial infarction in trained rats. Consequently, these exercise training induced changes resulted in improved left ventricular systolic function and decrease of mortality rate and infarction size after myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Coma results from traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries. Foot massage can influence the level of consciousness in comatose patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of foot massage on the level of consciousness in comatose patients due to brain injury who were hospitalized in the ICUs of selected hospitals in Qazvin.Methods: This study was a clinical trial which was conducted on 40 patients with coma who were hospitalized in the ICUs of Shahid Rajaee and Razi hospitals in Qazvin in 2014. Patients were assigned to case and control groups, using randomize blocked allocation. Massage of both feet was performed in a Stroke manner (5 minutes for each foot) and once a day for 14 days. Then, the level of consciousness was recorded using Glasgow Coma Scale. Statistical tests (chi-square, Independent t-test, dependent t-test and Repeated Measures variance analysis) were used for analysis.Results: The results showed that there is significant difference between the mean of consciousness level before (5.80±1.58) and after (10.6±2.41) massage in the intervention group (P=0.001). While the mean of consciousness level was (5.3±1.72) before and (6.94±3.03) after the intervention in the control group andit was not statistically significant (P=0.06).Conclusion: Foot massage could increase the level of consciousness among patients in comatose patients due to brain injury. It is recommended to use this intervention for increasing patientsconsciousness level.

Introduction: Bacterial biofilms is a major problem indisinfection of health care centers. Studies show that the current electric field greatly increases the efficacy of the antibacterial agentson biofilms. There are little researches on the effects of alternating current on the bacterial growth and biofilm formation.The aim of the study was to investigate in- vitro bioelectric effect of alternating current on biofilm formation potential.Methods: Electric field strengths of 6 and 10 V/cm2 at frequencies of 1, 5, 10 and 20 MHz were applied continuously during lag phase of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. First, McFarland suspension was prepared, then changes in bacterial biofilm formation were investigated by the microtiter plate method.Results: The alternating current at the low voltage and high frequency (10 V/cm2 at 20MHz) reduced the biofilm formation potential of S. aureus ATCC29213 (Strong to moderate) and P. aeruginosa PAO1 (moderate to weak) effectively.Conclusion: The study showed the efficacy of alternating current on bacterial infection prevention and removal, thus it is suggeted to investigate new alternating current patterns for increasing the efficacy of antibacterial and microbial agents against biofilms.

Introduction: Sodium valproate is the sodium salt of valproic acid and is an anticonvulsant used in the treatment of epilepsy. Teratogenic effects of sodium valproate were seen in some studies. There are many reports that the teratogenic effects of sodium valproate can be decreased by application of antioxidant drugs and stimulation of maternal immune system. It seems that quercetin has an antioxidant effect. The aim of this study was to determaine protective effects of sodium valproate induced teratogenicity in fetuses of rat by quercetin.Methods: This study was performed on 36 pregnant rats randomly assigned to 6 groups (6 rats in each group). The first group (control group) received normal saline intraperitonealy and the other groups (test groups) received sodium valproate (300 mg/kg), quercetin (75 mg/kg), quercetin (200 mg/kg), sodium valproate plus quercetin (75 mg/kg) and sodium valproate plus quercetin (200 mg/kg) intraperitonealy, respectively. Fetuses were carried out in 20th day of gestation, then weight and length of fetuses was determined; they were stained by Alizarin red- Alcian blue method and investigated by stereomicroscope for teratogenic effects.Results: Percentage of cleft palate, spina bifida and exencephaly was 17.70%, 20% and 20%, respectively, in group which received only sodium valproate, while it was decreased to 13.95%, 11.62% and 13.95% by quercetin (75 mg/kg) and so to 11.11%, 11.11% and 11.11%, respectively, in the group which received qeurcetin (200 mg/kg).Conclusion: quercetin can decrease incidence of teratogenicity induced by sodium valproate.

Insect expression systems have been used to achieve high expression of recombinant and complex proteins, but disability of insects in the synthesis of N-Glycan products similar to mammals has been a controversial conflict debate in recent years.Glycosylation products in insects contain high or low end of mannose units. The main reason for this inability is the low level of activity of a number of enzymes including b-N - (1 and 2) acetyl glucosamine transferase I and II, b- (1 and 4) galactosyl transferase, a- (2, 3) and a- (2, 6) sialyl transferase. In addittion, a hexoaminidase that remove N-acetyl glucosamine at the end of glycan products and prevents binding of galactose and Sialic acid to glycan products have been discovered in insects. So the insect cells can be engineered to produce glycan products similar with mammalians and remove blocking agents of synthesis of sialyl and galactose products. In this systematic review, the glycosylation pathways in mammals and insects and engineering of possible glycosylation pathways in S2 cells have been investigated.

Introduction: Heavy metals such as lead are as important environmental pollutants. The aim of this study was to investigate the removal of lead from aqueous sollutions using two modified pistachio husk.Methods: In this study, the capability of lead removal from aqueous solutions was investigated using modified pistachio husk. The pistachio husk were pretreated using distilled water and were modified with 0.4 mol/L NaOH and 0.4 mol/L HNO3, separately, and their absorption’s ability were compared. Lead absorption was studied in batch reactor. After assessment of the effect of pH in lead absorption by single factor, the absorption experiments were studied by Taguchi method according L16 array. In this method the effects of 4 factors (initial concentration of lead, pH, absorbents dosages and contact times) were studied.Results: This study showed that the maximum absorption efficiency of lead happened using the alkali modified pistachio husk up to 91.25%, with 20 mg/l initial concentration of lead, pH=4, 1.5 hr of contact times and the absorbent dosage of 0.5 g/l. However, at the same condition the maximum absorbent efficiency by acidic modified pistachio husk achieved up to 89.05%. Moreover, at the same condition the maximum absorption capacity achieved up to 36.5 and 33.4 mg/g by alkali and acidic modified pistachio, respectively.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the alkali modified pistachio husk has more potential than acidic modified pistachio husk to remove lead from aqueous solutions, and could be considered as inexpensive absorbent.

Introduction: Liver disorders are often associated with elevated bilirubin and liver enzymes in blood plasma. In this study the hypobilirubinemic and liver enzymes reducing effects of Berberis vulgaris hydroethanolic extract was investigated.Methods: In this experimental study 42 male rats divided randomly in 6 groups: control, sham, cholestatic, cholestatic treated with B. vulgaris extract (300 and 600 mg/kg, i.p, daily for one week) and cholestatic treated with phenobarbital (15 mg/kg, i.p, daily for one week). Cholestasis was induced by ligation of common bile duct using two ligatures and transection the bile duct. After 3 days, the cholestasis animal showed with hyperbilirubinemia. At the end of experiment, animals’ blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture and total serum bilirubin level, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin and liver enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) were analyzed. A P<0.05 was considered significant.Results: Data showed that B. vulgaris extract has hypobilirubinemic effects on cholestatic animals treated for one week.Also B. vulgaris decreased liver enzymes in cholestatic rats compared with control and phenobarbital groups (P<0.01).Conclusion: The hypobilirubinemic B. vulgaris extract effects might be due to its compositions such as berberine which could have effects on liver to decrease blood bilirubin or increase bilirubin renal excretion.

Introduction: Heart failure is a major growing problem that affects not only patients but also their families and social networks. It reduces the functional capacity of patients and impaired their social life. This study was conducted to investigate social dignity and its related factors in heart failure patients.Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 130 patients with class II to IV heart failure were selected by purposive sampling from Hazrate Rasool Akram, Imam Hossein and Shariati Hospital of Tehran, in 2013.Demographic questionnaire and Social Dignity Questionnaire (SDQ) completed by them. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistic methods and analytical statistic tests such as: Pearson correlation, One-Way ANOVA and Independent-Sample T Test and by using SPSS version 19.Results: The mean score of social dignity was 4.3±0.7. The highest mean score calculated for social communication and support dimension and the lowest mean score, calculated for burden to others (economic) dimension. ANOVA test with P<0.05 revealed a significant difference in the mean of illness related worries score between social communication and support dimension and burden to others (economic) dimension. Pearson statistic test with P<0.05 showed significant correlation between hospitalization number and social dignity and between disease severity and social dignity.Conclusion: Although the results of this study showed that patients with heart failure, have a good social dignity and are satisfied with social communication and support, but economically they feel burden to others. So, using appropriate strategies to support physical, mental and economic status of these patients in order to maintain and improve their social dignity is recommended.