ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate anti-dyslipidemic effects of hydroalcoholic fenugreek seed extracts, diosgenin, and 4-OH-Ile on HepG2 cell line. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with hydroalcoholic fenugreek seed extracts, diosgenin, 4-OH-Ile, and orlistat. IC
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effect of crocin carotenoid on BNDF and CREB gene expression in the brain ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the serum level of BDNF in morphine-treated rats compared to control. Methods: In this study, 40 male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were used in 5 experimental groups: 1) non morphine treat rats (control); 2) non morphine-treated rats with 25 mg/kg crocin carotenoid (i.p., for 21 d); 3) morphine treated rats (10 mg/kg twice a day, s.c., 21 d); 4 and 5) morphine-treated rats with 12.5 and 25 mg/kg crocin carotenoid, respectively. By the end of research, BDNF and CREB expression was determined by real-time-PCR method. ELISA analysis was also applied for assessing the serum BDNF level. Results: The data indicated that morphine treatment could cause a significant decrease in BDNF and CREB gene expression (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively) in brain VTA as well as serum level of BDNF (P<0.01) in comparison to control group. Treatment with 25 mg/kg crocin carotenoid caused a significant enhancement in BDNF and CREF gene expression (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively) and serum level of BDNF (P<0.01) in morphine-treated rats in comparison to morphine-treated group. Conclusions: Regarding to obtained results, crocin carotenoid can inhibit unfavorable effects of morphine on the neural system to some extent through enhancing BDNF and CREB gene expression in brain VTA and serum level of BDNF.
ABSTRACT
Despite improvements in public health in Iran, cutaneous leishmaniasis has become a growing health issue. About 90% of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases occur in 8 countries including Iran. Kala-azar or visceral leishmaniasis, as an important parasitic disease, is endemic in some areas of Iran. Mapping the distribution of parasitic diseases and determining their relations to geographic factors are increasing in importance for experts. This study was carried out to provide distribution maps of the geographical pathology of leishmaniasis in Iran with no emphasis on medical entomology or parasitology. A systematic literature review was performed and the data and/or metadata were used for evaluation of findings. Data of leishmaniasis were obtained from the Iran Center for Diseases Control, in the Ministry of Health in 2002 and 2009. Incidence or prevalence of the diseases and also scientific names of vectors and reservoirs with collection details were arranged as a shapefile in ArcGIS software and were mapped. Distribution maps of the diseases, host reservoirs, and vectors are provided as a systematic review. It seems that zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis is mostly observed in desert and semi-desert habitats far from Alborz and Zagros mountainous areas. Visceral leishmaniasis in dogs may be related to precipitation, temperature, and elevation in Ardebil Province, Iran. There are some gaps in distribution maps which represent future study opportunities for scholars as this lack of data does not signify the lack of prevalence of the disease but the lack of studies in these areas
Subject(s)
Disease Vectors , Disease Reservoirs , Geographic Mapping , Geographic Information SystemsABSTRACT
Besides necessary knowledge and skills, the Major aim of Medical school is to train students to achieve lifelong learning competencies. Curriculum is the most powerful tool in developing such skills. This study was designed to determine if the current curriculum of general medical course oriented to lifelong learning in Army University? This was a Descriptive- analytic study. The data were collected with using a researcher constructed questionnaire. Data was determined current curriculum of general medical course with lifelong learning approach in Army University. The data Analyzed with SPSS 16 by t- test and Pearson tests. The results showed orientation of current general medical curriculum with lifelong learning almost non favorite. Objective, teaching and evaluation were almost acceptable. Content, educational atmosphere were almost non-acceptable. By emphasizing on necessity of Lifelong learning Competencies, It is recommended to pay attention to effectiveness of Curriculum Planning
Subject(s)
Learning , Military Personnel , Education, MedicalABSTRACT
It seems that ability of fungi for pathogenesis is an accidental phenomenon. In general speaking development of human mycosis, innately depends on immune response and environmental distribution. Fungal disease are important health problems in Iran and considering environmental background of fungi, mapping important fungal disease may facilitate control planning and may help generate roadmap for more researches. All available papers including domestic and international journal about fungal disease in Iran were studied in a systematic literature review, using Pubmed, Iranmedex, SID. All data were arranged in a database and mapping distribution of disease were conducted by using ArcGIS 9.3. 25 maps show important mycosis in Iran. Some of them seem to be localized and have spatial pattern. Localization of reports on fungal disease may result from more developed diagnostic facilities or more prevalent of disease. Health system decision makers should note both these results, even by establishment of advanced Mycology laboratory or epidemiologic studies
Subject(s)
Geographic Mapping , Geographic Information SystemsABSTRACT
Sampling in qualitative and quantitative research are very different, because it aims, gaining a deep understanding of the phenomenon is being investigated, rather than generalizing the results. Participants Selection in the qualitative study is done with aim of achieve the maximum information about the phenomenon under study. In quantitative research there is too much emphasis on a random selection, an equal chance for selection of all members of the research community, but in the qualitative study samples or participants are selected or invited. Purposive sampling that also is called purposeful or qualitative sampling that means purposeful selection of samples for acquiring knowledge or information. This type of sampling does not focus on developing the fixed and immutable rules or generalizing the results but try to better understand the phenomenon in special field. Purposive sampling consists of three main types including "Sampling to Achieve Representativeness or Comparability", "Sampling Special or Unique Cases" and "Sequential Sampling". Saturation in qualitative research as a method of sampling is considered the gold standard. In this paper, we tried to introduce the participant's selection methods and the differences between quantitative and qualitative method and the strategy for decision making about data saturation will be offered
ABSTRACT
Primary antibody deficiencies are the most frequent primary immunodeficiency disorders. Bronchiectasis as a feature of these disorders may be developed due to some factors such alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. In order to determine the prevalence of two common alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency alleles [PI*Z and PI*S] in Iranian patients with antibody deficiency, this study was performed. The prevalence of PI*M, PI*S, and PI*Z allele combinations was determined in 40 patients with primary antibody deficiency [with and without bronchiectasis] and compared with 60 healthy control subjects. Phenotyping was performed by isoelectric focusing. The phenotype frequencies among patients were as follow: M in 92.5%, S in 2.5% and Z in 5%. There was not any significant difference in distribution of alleles or phenotypes between patients and control subjects. Moreover, no significant difference was found between patients with and without bronchiectasis. We did not find evidence to support an association between alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotypes and primary antibody deficiencies in a small, controlled study. Larger studies will be required to clarify the relationship between alpha-1-antitrypsin genotype and susceptibility to bronchiectasis in patients with antibody deficiency