Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2019 | Volume:18 | Issue:1 |Papers Count:9

Background and Objectives: Cinnamon contains phenolic and non-phenolic bioactive compounds. The aim of this research was investigating the antimicrobial and anti-enzymatic properties of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) hydrosol. Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, chemical composition of cinnamon hydrosol was analyzed by Gas chromatography– mass spectrometry method. Antibacterial effects of cinnamon hydrosol at different concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 percent) against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus and antifungal effects against Aspergillus niger and Rhizospus oryzae were determined. Anti-enzymatic activity of cinnamon hydrosol against the polyphenol oxidase enzyme of potatoe was also assessed. The experiment was designed in a completely randomized design with three replications. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan's mean comparison test. Results: The results showed that Bacillus cereus has high susceptibility against cinnamon hydrosol (the mean and standard deviation of inhibition zone diameter equal to 37. 83± 0. 21mm). Investigation of anti-fungal activity revealed that Aspergillus niger showed more stability against cinnamon hydrosol than Rhizospus oryzae (the mean and standard deviation of the growth inhibition percentage at hydrosol concentration of 50% w/v, were 9± 2. 2 and 68. 66± 2. 5, respectively). Cinnamon hydrosol caused a significant reduction in the polyphenol oxidase activity (p˂ 0. 001). Conclusion: According to this study, cinnamon hydrosol exhibited anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties as well as, antienzymatic activity against polyphenol oxidase of potato, so that cinnamon hydrosol can be used as antibacterial (against Bacillus cereus), antifungal (against Rhizopus oryzae) and anti-enzymatic (poly phenol oxidase) component.

Background and Objectives: Bullying and moral intelligence are considered as important factors affecting the probability of suicide among students. Therefore, The aim of this study was to determine the role of bullying and moral intelligence as a predictor of suicide probability among students. Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive study. The statistical population included second high school female and male students of Sanandaj city who were studying in the academic year 2017-2018. A sample of 641 students was selected by the cluster random sampling method. Suicide probability scale (SPS) (Gill and Cull, 2002), Illinois bullying scale (IBS) (2001) and Lennick and Kiel’ s moral intelligence questionnaire (2011) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using discriminant analysis test. Results: The results of the discriminant analysis led to a significant recognition function (p<0. 05) that according to this function, the component of honesty (r=-0. 835) was in the highest discrimination power between the two groups of students. Subsequent discriminative components of the groups were sympathy (r-0. 674), forgiveness (r-0. 674), victim (r= 0. 274), fight (r= 0. 287) and bullying (r= 0. 224). Also, the results of the discriminant analysis showed that all students with low suicide probability were correctly discriminated from other students with the highest percentage of detection (100%). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated the importance of the components of bullying and moral intelligence in the possibility of distinguishing between students with high and low suicide probability; therefore, it is recommended that in any planning for the reduction of the probability of suicide among students, attention be drawn to decreasing bullying and promoting moral intelligence.

Background and Objectives: The response of myostatin to resistance training with blood flow restriction is not perfectly clear. Therefore, the purpose of this study comparing the effects of eight weeks resistance training with blood flow restriction and traditional resistance training on myostatin, muscle mass and some related-muscle physiological factors in middle-aged women. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 30 healthy and inactive middle-aged females (age: 45± 4 yr) were selected and randomly divided into three groups: control (C), blood flow restriction training (BFRT) and traditional resistance training (TST). Exercise training program was conducted for eight weeks and 3 days per week in 2017. Strength training for BFRT and TST performed with 20-30% one repetition maximum and 65-80% one repetition maximum, respectively. Before and after training program serum myostatin, muscular mass, muscular strength and muscular endurance were measured. For analyzing the data, paired t-test and one-way ANOVA were used. Results: There was observed a significant increase in muscular mass (p=0. 036), muscular strength (p=0. 001) and muscular endurance (p=0. 008) in the BFRT and TST groups in comparison with the C group. Myostatin had an insignificant dectease after two resistance trainings (p≥ 0. 05). Conclusion: It seems that low intensity strength training with blood flow restriction has similar effect with high intensity traditional strength training on muscular mass, strength and endurance in middle-aged women but does not have any effect on myostatin. So, low intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction may be a proper substitute for high intensity resistance training in middle-aged women.

Background and Objectives: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that requires long treatment with less side effects. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of sodium valproate and electrical stimulation of the brain with low frequency (LFS) on the motor activity of male rat during hippocampus rapid kindling. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, 56 male adult rats were randomly divided to 8 groups: control, sham operation, saline-kindled and drug-kindled groups which received saline or drug 15 minutes before kindling stimulations and saline-kindled-LFS or drug-kindled-LFS group which received saline or drug 15 minutes before kindling stimulations and LFS after termination of kindling stimulations. Then animals motor activity was assessed on the 6th day by open field test and data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-test. Results: The open field results showed a significant increase in the number of motions (p =0. 007) in the kindled group compared to the sham group. But these parameters showed no difference in saline-kindled-LFS group, drug-kindled and drug-kindled-LFS groups compared with the sham group (p˃ 0. 05). Conclusion: It seems administration of sodium valproate and application of low-frequency electrical to hippocampus region can attenuate the kindling-induced hyperactivity in adult male rat.

Background and Objectives: Osteocalcin plays an important role in stimulating of insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of aerobic and resistance exercises on serum osteocalcin, insullin resistance and beta cells function in overweight men. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study conducted in Ahar in summer 2018, 40 overweight men were randomly assigned to Control (n=14), Aerobic (n=13) and Resistance Exercise (n=13) groups. Subjects participated on 8-week aerobic (3 sessions in week) 60-85% Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) and resistance training (3 sessions in week) 55-75% One Maximum Repetition (1RM). Osteocalcin, insulin, glucose and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were assessed from fasting blood samples before and after the 8-week exercise programme. Data analysis was performed using paired t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results: The results showed that osteocalcin level significantly increased after 8 weeks of aerobic (p=0. 001) and resistance training (p<0. 001). HOMA-IR significantly decreased in the aerobic training (p<0. 001) and resistance training (p=0. 004) groups; insulin also significantly decreased in the aerobic training (p<0. 001) and resistance training (p=0. 001). But in osteocalcin, insulin and insulin resistance levels, there was no significant difference between the aerobic training and resistance training groups (p>0. 05). Conclusion: Regarding the results of this study, it seems that both aerobic and resistance training are appropriate methods for reducing weight and insulin resistance, which can prevent the occurrence of obesity and its complications.

Background and Objectives: Prospective memory refers to the ability of remembering some special tasks in the future. Prospective memory performance is very crucial for daily life. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine brain waves and prospective memory performance among Kurdistan university students in 2015-2016. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, the statistical population included all Kurdistan University students in 2015-2016 (Humanities and Social Sciences, Foreign Languages and Literature, Basic Sciences and Agriculture faculties). First some students were selected through convenience sampling and among them 70 ones, who desired to participate in the study, were evaluated. According to computerized Time-Based Prospective Memory performance score, the participants were divided to two groups: high performance group (N: 22) and low performance group (N: 33). Brain waves was recorded with ProComp 2 device. Data were analyzed with Multivariate analysis of variance. Results The results showed that individuals with high prospective memory score had higher amount of alpha waves compared to individual with low prospective memory (p<0. 05). Conclusion: The results indicated the differences between individuals with high and low score of Time-Based Prospective Memory performance. So evaluating brain waves of old people or people with memory complaints can probably lead to facilitating memory problems diagnosis and providing the ground for immediate interventions.

Background and Objectives: Since non-adherence to urinary catheterization standards has irrecoverable consequences, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of an educational program of urinary catheterization on adherence to the standards. Materials and Methods: This educational trial study was conducted on a sample of 35 medical interns of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2017. External evaluation was conducted by completion of a checklist with 5 subscales and 19 items before and one week after the intervention. To analyze the data the paired t-test and McNemar’ s test and independent t-test were used. Results: Self-confidence with the skill of catheterization had statistically significant increase after the intervention (p=0. 016). The improvement of the score of catheterization skill after the intervention was considerable (p=0. 007). The mean score of catheterization skill in men, was significantly higher than women (p=0. 031) Conclusions: In spite of significant improvement in the skill of medical students for urinary catheterization, providing the students with regular continuous education seems necessary.

A focus group refers to a group of people who share some common characteristics. A researcher gathers these people in the group in order that they share their points of view and interact with each other over a specific issue. Focus group and Interview group are used interchangeably in the scientific literature and both refer to a method of collecting data in qualitative studies. Given the important role of a focus group in determining knowledge, attitude and performance of its members, the aim of the present article is therefore to provide some basic guidelines in conducting such a group.