effect of a period of discontinuous endurance exercise on icam-1 and lipid profile of non-athletic male students

Background and Purpose: It has been suggested that intracellular adhesion molecules [sICAM-1], as a new inflammatory marker, are more precise and sensitive markers in predicting cardiovascular diseases, compared with traditional predictive markers. The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of discontinuous endurance exercise on sICAM-1 and lipid profile [LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, and TC] of non-athletic male students and to survey the correlation between changes of these variables

Material and methods: This experimental study involved twenty non-athletic male students who signed the written informed consent, and were randomly assigned into experimental [n=12] and control [n=8] groups. The exercise protocol was a graded program, to be performed for 8 weeks three times per week with specific intensity and duration. Blood samples were taken before the first session and after the last session, with 14 hours fasting. Data were analyzed in SPSS 16 using independent and dependent t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficient to determine the correlation of the variables. Level of statistical significance was set at ?<0.05

Results: Eight weeks of discontinuous endurance exercise caused 14% decline in sICAM-1 [p=0.0001], 6% in TC [p=0.001], 10% in LDL-C [p=0.0001], 40% in TG [p=0.0001] and 23% increase in HDL-C [p=0.001] in the experimental group. However, there were no significant correlation between sICAM-1 alteration and changes of traditional predictors of cardiovascular diseases [LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, and TC] [p>0.05]

Conclusion: Eight weeks of discontinuous endurance exercise may reduce sICAM-1 and improve the lipid profile. These changes can play effective roles in the prevention, control and treatment of atherosclerosis

Survey on mechanisms of promoting Iranian women's political and economic participation

The research aimed at providing mechanisms to promote Iranian women's participation in political as well as economic aspects. Documentation and survey methods were conducted for date gathering and the analysis of the research findings. Respondents were interviewed, according to a pre-tested questionnaire. It was confirmed that the more educated the respondents, the less likely to participate in political affairs. This is due to their awareness of the shortcoming or defects of the existing legislation regarding women issues. Higher levels of academic education do not necessarily lead women to be actively involved-in politics until meaningful, positive changes occur in the overall legislative system in Iran

[ study of effective factors on serving motivation of Hamadan province employees]

It is clear that sustaining workers serving motivation is an important managing factor for developing, improving, and efficiency of each organization. The serving motivation is a factor that directs the workers' behavior toward the specific way and has effective role on quality and quantity of the organizational activities. The study and recognizing the factors affect on the level of worker's motivation have important function for its sustainability. The purpose of this study was investigating increasing or declining causes of workers' serving motivation on Hamadan province governor organizations. 2923 workers of Hamadan province from eight province districts such as Hamadan 471 [%16.1], Malayer 392 [%13.4], Mahavand 366 [%12.5], Tuoserkan 344 [%11.8], Kabodrahang 355 [%12.1], Asadabad 325 [%11.1], Bahar 326 [%11.2], and Razan 344 [%11.8] cities and the average age of 34.86 year [SD=6.23] using stratified sampling participated in this study. From these workers, 1793 [%61.3] men, 1130 [%38.7] women, 2516 [%68.1] married, and 407 [%13.9] were single. A questionnaire developed by investigators and its reliability and validity was evaluated and it used in order to collecting data. This questionnaire according to the ratio of sampling among the province workers distributed and the data collected. The regression test results indicated that seriousness and scientific evaluation of workers' practices [mean=3.75, B=0.2, p<0.0001], receiving feedback through vary way related to tasks performing [mean=4.59, B=0.392, p<0.0001], providing opportunity for all workers progressiveness [mean=3.53, B=0.261, p<0.0001], and related manager's suitability and competency [mean=4.27, B=0.469, p<0.0001] have significant contribution on workers' motivation. In general, the more important casual increases workers' motivation were seriousness and scientific evaluation of workers' practices, receiving feedback through vary way related to tasks performing, providing opportunity for all workers progressiveness, and related manager's suitability and competency

Paraoxonase and arylesterase activity among hypercholesterolemic patients

Human serum paraoxonase [PON] associated with high density lipoprotein [HDL], has been postulated to have a role in protecting low-density lipoprotein [LDL] against oxidative damage, which has led to the proposal that PON is an anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory enzyme. It has genetic polymorphism at the 191 [R••••>Q] and two alloenzymes A and B and three phenotypes A, B, and AB. We examined the activity of arylesterase and paraoxonase among healthy individuals and in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Equal activity distribution was observed among males and females for both enzymes. Arylesterase activity displayed a normal distribution in the population under study. However, paraoxonase activity demonstrated a three modal activity. Population distribution of A, B and AB polymorphism were 46, 10 and 44% respectively. A significant direct correlation between paraoxonase activity and triglyceride levels was observed [p<0.05] whereas arylesterase activity was similar among hyperlipidemic and control groups. The lack of a significant relationship between lipids and lipoproteins and PON phenotypes, suggests that PON phenotypes do not influence the lipid profile