KNOWLEDGE AND HEALTH
Year:2014 | Volume:9 | Issue:1|Papers Count:12

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of silymarin supplementation and endurance training on the levels of MDA in sedentary men.Methods: The research was semi-experimental, and 19 subjects were selected form all sedentary male students of Shahroud university, and after obtaining consent, subjects were randomly divided into intervention group (n = 11) and placebo group (n = 8). For 6 weeks, both groups received either Silymarin supplements or placebo, along with endurance training. Blood samples were collected before and after receiving training and supplement for measuring lipid peroxidation. Data was analyzed using SPSS16 software and repeated measure analysis of variance (2×2).Results: Silymarin supplementation along with endurance training caused a significant reduction in plasma MDA levels in supplement groups as compared with placebo group (P≤0.012).Conclusions: Receiving endurance training along with silymarin supplement caused significant reduction of lipid peroxidation comparing with placebo group. It seems that the type, duration and intensity of exercise along with the dose of Silymarin supplement intake could affect MDA index.

Introduction: Stress have bidirectional effects on pain threshold and behaviours. Whereas acute stress often results in analgesia, chronic stress can trigger hyperalgesia/allodynia. The formalin test as an inflammation model, consist of three phases and the effects of repeated forced swim stress with different session numbers on these phases have not been investigated. Therefore, in this study the effects of chronic forced swim stress with different intensities evaluated in formalin test were performed in adult male Wistar rats.Methods: In this study, the formalin test (50 μL, 2%) was used to evaluate the effects of repeated swim stress with different duration and sessions on nociceptive responses. Animals were initially submitted to 6 minutes in day with different sessions (3, 5 and 10 days) of forced swim stress and after 24 hours of the last session, animals were submitted to formalin injection in hind paw to evaluate nociceptive behaviours.Results: Exposing animals to 3 days for 6 minutes had an increasing effect on formalin-induced pain behavior only in the final stage of phase 2. This data showed that increase session number of stress have same effect on nociceptive behaviours in termination of phase 2. Moreover increasing exposure to forced swim stress for 5 and 10 sessions effected nociceptive behaviours in interphase.Conclusion: These findings suggest that increase sessions of chronic forced swim stress (3,5 and 10 days) effect on the nociceptive behaviours and significantly increase interphase of the Formalin Test. which could be related to modulating mechanism during this phase.

  Introduction: The rate of cesarean section in Iran is 3-4 times higher than the accepted rate of the World Health Organization. Maternal education has a key role for increasing self- efficacy of pregnant women to cope with labor, reducing their fear from vaginal childbirth and thus reducing their desire to perform cesarean deliveries. Therefore this study was performed to determine the effect of computerized educational on self-efficacy of pregnant women to cope with labor.Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial which carried out on 150 nulliparous pregnant women. Intervention group received the computerized educational program for 6-8 weeks. In order to determine the self-efficacy, the childbirth self efficacy questionnaire (CBSEI) was administered on pregnant women at 28-32 and 36-38 weeks of pregnancy. Data were analyzed with Chi-square and Mann–Whitney U-test.Results: There was a significant difference between median and interquartile range on self-efficacy of pregnant women in intervention (607, 20) and control group (394,16) (P>0.001). Moreover we found also a statistically significant difference between median of expected outcome (307) and expected self-efficacy (301) after intervention in both stages of labor between the two groups (P>0.001).Conclusion: This study confirmed the effectiveness of the computerized educational program on self-efficacy of pregnant women to cope with labor. Therefore it is recommended to use this program as a teaching or complementary method in preparation for childbirth.

Introduction: Nutrition of children has the highest priority in any program aimed at children's health care. Milk contaminated with various toxic elements can have adverse effects on children's health. This study aimed to determine the concentration of heavy metals including cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) of breast feeding women’s milk in Varamin.Methods: This is a cross sectional study. In the present study, chromium and cadmium levels in milk of 100 mothers attending clinics in the city of Varamin were measured in four to eight weeks after delivery, using atomic absorption spectrometry.Results: The mean values (±SD) of Cd and Cr in human milk were 5±6.9 mg/ml and 3±2.7 mg/ml respectively. Result of Linear regression showed that cadmium levels were higher in breast milk of people living close to the factory or industrial center. Also, the chromium levels were higher in the breast milk of women in cases of: Smoking by spouses, consumption of imported rice, consumption of mineral water, and living close to the factory or an industrial center.Conclusion: This study showed that the relationship of some factors such as living near a factory or an industrial center, smoking by spouse, the type of consumed rice and water, with the level of cadmium and chromium. Cadmium and chromium levels of breast milk in this study were higher than the levels of these elements mentioned in the reviewed articles and international standard. Because some variables, such as living near a factory or an industrial center, smoking by spouse, the type of consumed rice and water can affect the amount of entering elements in breast milk. Actions can be taken to reduce or eliminate these variables in order to decrease the mentioned elements in human milk.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the 10 leading causes of death in the world and the first leading cause of death in Iran. Controlling the risk factors for these diseases can reduce more than 50% of disabilities resulted from these illnesses. In this regard, it is important to consider the behaviors associated with individuals’ lifestyles. The purpose of this study is to review the studies that have used educational interventions in order to reduce risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, based on methods, application of models, and theories of health education and health promotion and the effect of intervention on reducing risk factors.Methods: Electronic search of databases was performed using the key words in English and Persian. Databases reviewed were, Scientific Information Database (SID), Iran Medex, PubMed, Ebsco and Cochrane. The databases search was conducted from February 2012 to May 2012.Results: Interventions to reduce risk factors of cardiovascular diseases were divided into two types based on use of models and theories of health education and without use of models and theories of health education. In the 19 articles reviewed, 9 studies were conducted based on theories and models of health education,and 10 studies did not use theories and models of health education.Conclusion: The results indicate that training based on theories and models of health education and using the standardized programs have a greater impact on reducing risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Time, place and length of intervention, the characteristics of the individuals and use of modern methods of training are important for some of the audience with regard to the effectiveness of the training in order to reduce risk factors.

Introduction: Determination of blood groups is the first step in the approval or rejection of blood relation between the two individuals for identity recognition. The aim of this study is to investigate the reliability of common blood grouping systems in DNA finger printing recognition.Methods: In this study, blood samples were obtained from 300 individuals belonging to 150 families. Then, DNA of each individual was purified and DNA finger printing was performed for 10 STR regions using ABI set. Seven human blood group systems including ABH, RH, Kidd, Kell, Mns, Lutheran and p1 were determined with agglutination methods, and the results were compared with DNA sequencing results of the ABI sequencing machine.Results: 300 randomly selected individuals were studied, in 256 cases. There was no difference between the blood grouping and DNA typing results; in 44 cases, the blood relation was approved by DNA typing but antigenic discord was observed in RH, MNS and ABH antigens. Among the blood grouping systems, RH, MNS and ABH,with the error scale of 30.7% (P=0.001), 20.54% (0.04) and 17.6% (P=0.005) respectively, were found to be the weakest systems for human identity recognition.Conclusion: Among the blood grouping systems, RH, MNS and ABH are the weakest markers for blood relation identification, and DNA finger printing must be used as a supplementary test to confirm their results.

Introduction: Training in diabetes is a major issue in achieving optimal glycemic control. One of the most influential factors in quality of training is selection of appropriate methods of training. On the other hand, considering the training of patients’ families can facilitate the management and optimal control. This study aimed to determine the effect of application of family-centered empowerment model on knowledge and metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods: This is a clinical trial with a control group, in which 103 patients after pre-test by block stratification were allocated randomly to case and control groups. A knowledge assessment questionnaire was used to test patients' knowledge, and HbA1C value was used as an indicator of metabolic control; then intervention based on family-centered empowerment model was applied to the case group, and after three months, the questionnaire was administered and HbA1C value were measured again. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 16, and statistical methods including Chi-square test, t-test and paired t-test. Results: No significant differences with regards to demographic factors were observed between two groups before the intervention ,and also there was no significant difference between knowledge score and HbA1C value (P>0.05) in the control group. There was a significant difference in HbA1C value and knowledge score after intervention in case group (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results suggest a positive effect of education base on family-centered empowerment model in the case group compared with the conventional training methods. Therefore, regarding the family's role in patients’ health, application of this training method is recommended to nurses and authorities in order to facilitate the optimal metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Very small percentage of fevers has caused seizure. Changes in amounts of substances in the blood can increase or decrease the incidence of seizure. The purpose of this study was to compare serum iron and ferritin levels between children having a febrile seizures and children with fever but no seizures.Methods: The study was conducted on 485 children who presented with febrile from 9 to 59 months referring to Imam Hossein Hospital in shahroud in the year 2011. In this study, patients were divided into two groups: The control group who had fever(n=320) without seizure, and the case group who had febrile seizure (n=165). After taking the primary actions, stabilization of vital signs and controlling the fever and convulsions, venous blood was taken from all patients, and Hb, HCT, serum iron level, ferritin and TIBC were measured with standard methods.Results: 49.1% of the patients in the case group and 51.6% of those in the control group were male and mean age of children was 32.1±14.4 months in the case group, and 34.2±15.4 months in the control group. Mean duration of fever in children was 3.2±1.2 days in the case group and 4.0±1.2 days in the control group. The mean duration of convulsion was 1.2 ± 0.7 minute and mean seizure frequency was 1.0±1.3 times. The results showed that amount of iron (P<0.003), ferritin (P<0.008) and TIBC (P<0.001) were significantly higher in cases group rather than control group. The study also showed that various levels of anemia in the control group (38.7%) was higher than control group (29.1%).Conclusion: The finding of this research showed that the serum iron level in children with fever and convulsions were higher than children without seizure,and it seems the lower levels of iron may have a protective effect in preventing febrile seizure.

Introduction: Adolescence is a critical stage for the onset of high-risk behavior of smoking. The present study investigated the role of parental monitoring and deviant peer companionship with regard to smoking in adolescents.Methods: The design of the current study involves correlation using structural equation modeling. The population of the study involves all male and female adolescents in Tehran high school, from which 1241 individuals were selected through cluster sampling. To collect the data, different scales such as Iran’s adolescent risk-taking scales, parental monitoring scales and finally companionship with deviant peers were used. The data were analyzed using correlation statistical indices, independent t-test and structural equation modeling.Results: The obtained results showed that there was no significant difference between girls and boys in smoking risk-taking. In addition, parental monitoring for girls was higher than for boys; however, boys reported greater levels of companionship with deviant peers. Moreover, parental monitoring through companionship with peers had a significant effect on smoking. The mediating model can explain 10% of smoking variance.Conclusion: Attention to the role of parental monitoring in reducing deviant peer company and consequently reducing the risk of smoking by adolescents is very important.

Introduction: Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the second cause of neurological disabilities,after alzheimer's disease in the world. NaHS in biological systems produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which will reduce damage after ischemia in different tissues. According to previous studies, NaHS protects cardiomyocytes from ischemic injury. In addition, this peptide has neuroprotective effect on mouse hippocampal and culture ed cortical neurons. The present study was conducted to determine whether NaHS provides protection in transient focal cerebral ischemia.Methods: Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced in male Wistar rats by 60 minutes middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) through using a filament method, followed by 23 hour reperfusion. Saline as a vehicle and NaHS at doses of 1, 5 and 10mg were injected intraperitoneally (IP) at the beginning of ischemia. Brain edema and motor dysfunction were assessed 24 h after MCAO.Results: Our results indicated that administration of NaHS at doses of 1 and 5 mg markedly reduced brain edema (P<0.01); NaHS did not significantly change neurological dysfunction (P>0.05).Conclusion: Our present findings demonstrate that treatment with NaHS exerts its protective effects in focal cerbral ischemic models in rat.