KNOWLEDGE AND HEALTH
Year:2012 | Volume:7 | Issue:3|Papers Count:11

Introduction: The study aimed to identify important interactions between Interleukin-6 and two single nucleotide polymorphisms of its gene expression (IL-6-174, IL-6-572) with some other factors including gender, age group, BMI, as while as blood concentration of sugar, lipids, and C-reactive protein, in association with hypertension. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data of first phase of the "Evaluation of Novel Risk Factors of NCD" project conducted in 2001 by the Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences was used. To identify the interactions we used logic Features Selection approach. Analyses were done by logistic regression models using adjusted odds ratio (OR) to demonstrate the associations of interest. Results: Based on final selected model on data of 126 men and 208 women with age of 18 or more, significant regression coefficients were reported for individual variables including fasting blood sugar ≥126mg/dl (P=0.001), body mass index>25 (P=0.03), and age >40 years of old (P<0.001) as well as a combinational variable combined from total cholesterol >200 mg/dl+ age>40+ interloukin-6 >29+ fasting blood sugar <126mg/dl (P=0.003).Conclusion: Findings suggested that in addition to age, body mass index and fasting blood sugar, having high level of interleukin-6 besides high plasma concentration of total cholesterol in older adults with non diabetic fasting blood sugar can significantly increase hypertension prevalence, applying logic Features Selection approach.

Introduction: Disclosure of HIV status is one of the important factors in prevention and control of HIV. The aim of this study was to determine Pattern of HIV-status disclosure and perceived social support among people with HIV.Methods: From the patients, who refer to behavioral counseling centers 116 people were randomly selected. Norbeck self administration questionnaire was used to assess their social support. Disclosure of HIV status was assessed with two questions. Results: The mean age of the participants was 36.7 (SD=7.7) years. 72.4% of them were male and 27.6% female. The mean of CD4 count was 278.9 (SD=161.4). 42.2% of participants were infected through sexual relationship, 44% were infected through injection with a syringe (Drug abusers), 13.8%, were infected through other ways. Among the participants, 62.1% disclosed their HIV status. In the logistic regression analysis, age, sex, number of CD4, education higher than high school diploma and functional social support showed significant associations with disclosure.Conclusion: The findings highlight that over half of participants disclosed their infection. Less disclosure by women can be due to public attitude toward HIV. Functional social support is an important factor for the disclosure of HIV infection. Then, it is necessary to pay more attention to educational programs for persons with HIV and their social network.

Introduction: Students as educated people are good models of non-smoking people for those who are close to them. This study reviews factors affecting the prevalence of smoking among university students in Shahroud in 2010.Methods: In this descriptive- sectional study, the data was collected through a self administered questionnaire which contained 10 general and 15 specific items on tobacco use. The design and initial validity of the questionnaires was approved by the professors and specialists. The questionnaire was administered to 1800 students at universities in Shahroud.Results: The average age of the participants was 28.5±3.5 years. 21.6% (n=389) of the participants used tobacco (80% male and 20% females). Cigarette was the most widespread means of smoking followed by water pipe (31%) and pipe (5%). Among the major factors for tobacco use were having smoking friends, stress, being far from family and entertainment. Significant relationships were observed between smoking and sex, educational level, marital status, residence, parental education level and income (P<0.001).Conclusion: With regard to the high prevalence of tobacco use among students, opening counseling offices and using trained peers can play a significant role in reducing tobacco use.

Introduction: This study was carried out to investigate the sleep quality and its relationship with mental health among students living in dormitories.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 277 students residing in dormitories of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected through stratified random sampling procedure. A demographic questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used for data collection. Chi-square, Spearman and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.Results: The prevalence of sleep disturbance was 73.3% (68.1-78.5) in this sample and the prevalence of poor mental health was 34.4% (28.7-39.9). The findings showed a significant relationship between quality of sleep and mental health (P<0.001).Conclusion: Our study displayed a significant relationship between quality of sleep and mental health. So interventionist programs are suggested to improve the sleep quality of students ant to prevent mental health disorders among students living in dormitories.

Introduction: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the most common side effects associated with surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ginger on intensity of nausea and vomiting after surgical procedures.Methods: This study was a randomized, double blinded, clinical trial. 160 eligible patients were randomly assigned into experimental or control groups. The experimental group received 4 capsules containing 250 mg ginger and control group received 4 placebo capsules 1 hour before surgery. The severity of nausea and vomiting was measured at 2, 4, 6 hours post operation using visual analogue scale (VAS) and a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed by independent student t - test and Mann-Whitney U test using SPSS 16.Results: Mean nausea score at 2 hours post operation was significantly lower in the experimental group (P=0.04). Mean nausea score at 4 and 6 hours post operation was lower in the experimental group; however, there was no significant difference between the groups at any time post operation. The frequencies of nausea in the experimental group at 2 and 6 hours post operation were lower than that in the placebo group, however, at 2 hours post operation, it was borderline significant (P=0.05) There was no significant differences between two group in the intensity of nausea at any time.Conclusion: Use of ginger is an effective was effective at decreasing postoperative nausea. Ginger could be used as a safe antiemetic drug at post operation.

Introduction: Family physician team is responsible for all of primary health care services including family planning. This study was evaluated the impact of Family physician program (FPP) on family health indices in cities of East- Azerbaijan.Methods: In this study the whole population of 3 small cities (n=36000) were selected and the six -year (2000 to 2006) coverage of family planning of the couples were investigated based on available statistics. On the qualitative side, the files of 600 couples were selected through stratified and cluster sampling procedures and their documents were investigated.Results: After FPP, the number of physicians and midwives were doubled in urban health centers. Coverage of family planning services increased from 39.7% to 66.2%, use of condom method increased by 10% and OCP, IUD decreed by 6%. However the number of births was nearly unchanged in 7 years. The periodic examination of women and Pap smear increased significantly (P<0.05).Conclusion: FPP has achieved partial success in providing family healthcare services including periodic examination of women and Pap smear sampling. Therefore, revision of the Job description and performance assessment of family physician teams is recommended.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus mediated by oxidative stress creates serious metabolic disorders in testicles. This study aimed to demonstrate the antioxidant effect of berberine hydrochlorid on testicular damage in streptozotocin induced diabetes in male rats.Methods: Thirty two, two-month-old male wistar rats (220-240 g body weight) were divided into 6 groups: control group, berberine -treated nondiabetic group (100 mg/kg), berberine -treated nondiabetic group (50 mg/kg), diabetic group, berberine - treated diabetic group (100 mg/kg) and berberine –treated diabetic group (50 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced by STZ intraperitoneally injection (50 mg/kg). Berberine was gavaged at the dose of 50, 100 mg/kg for 6 weeks. Testicular damage was examined by using hematoxylin and eosinstaining. Blood biochemical factors also were measured.Results: Diabetes mellitus mediated oxidative stress and free radical production, significantly reduced spermatogenic and Sertoli cells, decreased spermatogenesis and sperm motility and treatment with berberine hydrochlorid, improved this effects. Berberine increases sperm count and motility, spermatogenic cells and sertoli cells. Furthermore in thraputic groups we observed increas in seminiferous tubule diameter and decreas in basal laminal thickness.Conclusions: These results suggest that berberine hydrochlorid has beneficial effects on testicular damage in adult diabetic rats, probably berberine induce this effects by decreasing blood glucose concentration and preventing oxidative stress.

Introduction: Diabetes malady because of making oxidative stress has an important role in causing the metabolism damages. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of melatonin with regard to its anti oxidant attribute for treatment of testicular damage of diabetes.Methods: In this research, 24 male vistar rats with average weight of 200-220g were choosen and divided into 3 groups of control, diabetic and treatment. Diabetes group was induced by Sterptozotosin (STZ) injection(55mg/kg), and treatment group, (diabetic +melatonin), after two months of becoming diabetic received melatonin pill with 10mg/kg dose of it in gavage way during 5 weeks. At the start of the fifth week, the blood samples were taken from the rats and biochemical and blood hormones invoices and also testicle sections were histologically evaluated.Results: Diabetes through producing oxidative stresses and producing of free radicals decreases spermatogoni and sertoly cell and also decreases spermatogenesis and sperm functions. Diabetic also decreases quantity of insulin and testosterone hormones. Melatonin administration increases amount of plasma insulin and testosterone hormone that significantly decreases the produced morphologic changes.Conclusion: Melatonin can prevent and cure oxidative stresses and also it can be a cure for testicular damages resulting from diabetes.