Clinicopathological study in an ovine model of experimental acute myocardial infarction

To evaluate the prognostic significance of clinicopathological measurement in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction [MI] in sheep, acute MI was induced by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery [LAD]. For this purpose, twenty four healthy sheep were divided into the sham-operated or control group [group I, thoracotomy without MI] and the experimental group [group II, with MI] [n=12 in each], then all animals were subjected to the echocardiographic and clinicopathological analysis 2 days post-MI. Echocardiography revealed significant differences in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter [LVEDD], LV end-systolic diameter [LVESD], LV ejection fraction [LVEF] and LV fractional shortening [LVFS] between groups [P<0.05]. In biochemical analysis, the mean values of troponin [Trop], aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] increased in the MI group compared with the control group [P<0.05]. In conclusion, alterations in echocardiographic and early clinopathological mean values were observed in an ovine model of the experimental acute MI, which could aid researchers in interpreting their results when using this model for MI studies

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in cats referring to Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Tehran [2006-2007]

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia [IMHA] is characterized by the destruction of erythrocytes or sometimes bone marrow erythroid precursors mediated by immunoglobulins [IgG, IgM], with or without complement [C[3]]. The main objectives of this study were to assess the laboratory test results of IMHA and to investigate its possible underlying causes in cats referring to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Tehran. The Coombs' test [CT] was performed in 74 cats with PCV below 0.35. The test was positive in 26 cats. These positive CT cats were categorized into four groups based on the PCV ranges and type of anemia including: Group A: 9 of 26 cats had nonregenerative anemia [PCV median, 0.22] [1 feline leukemia virus positive which had erythroleukemia, 1 feline infectious peritonitis positive, 1 with Hemoplasma spp., 3 with renal failure, 2 with inflammatory disease and 1 with no diagnosis]. Group B: 4 cats [PCV median, 0.31] had a regenerative anemia with severe dehydration. Group C: the other 9 cats with a normal range of PCV [median, 0.34] involved with various conditions [vaccination, parturition, acetaminophen poisoning, osteoporosis, and renal failure]. Group D: the remaining 4 cats with a marginal range of PCV [median, 0.30] had a history of inflammatory disease and drug therapy. The results of this study indicated that infectious diseases and drug therapy were the main factors associated with positive Coombs' test results

[ relationship between learning characteristics and academic achievement in nursing and midwifery students]

One of the reasons causing academic failure among students is disregarding factors affecting learning. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between academic achievement of nursing and midwifery students and their learning characteristics including study style, control locus, and self-organized learning factors which are modifiable issues in learning. In this correlational study, all nursing and midwifery students with average grade of 17 and above [high academic achievement] or average grade of 14 and lower [low academic achievement] in Tabriz School of Nursing and Midwifery were investigated through census sampling method in the year 2005-2006. Data was gathered using questionnaires of "Kolb's Learning Styles Inventory," "Karami Study Methods," "Julian Rotter Locus of Control," and "Motivational Strategies for Learning" and then, was analyzed through descriptive statistics and logistic regression test by SPSS software. Logistic regression analysis showed that control locus [P=0.008] and motivational strategies for learning [P= 0.032] had a significant relationship with academic achievement of students. Control locus and motivational strategies for learning, were recognized as determining factors in academic achievement. Taking the results of this study into consideration, running workshops or seminars on the issue of "Locus of control related to learning" and "motivational strategies for learning" are recommended for learning improvement in first year students

Comparing the effects of concept mapping and integration method on nursing students' learning in nursing process course in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

To analyze patients' problems and make an appropriate care plan, nursing students need a deep and meaningful learning. Therefore, it is better to choose educational methods which are capable of educating nursing students in such learning level. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of concept mapping and integration model on nursing students' learning in nursing process course. In a quasi-experimental study with two groups, pre-test post-test design, 45 second semester nursing students were selected through convenient sampling method and randomly divided into two experiment and control groups. After pretest, control and experiment groups received education using integration method and concept mapping, respectively, for 10 sessions during 2 months. Then, they took the post-test. For gathering data, an achievement test consisted of two parts was used which evaluated students' knowledge and meaningful learning in nursing process course. The results were analyzed using chi-square test, independent and paired t-tests by SPSS software. Both educational strategies were useful in enhancing students' knowledge and meaningful learning. But, the mean difference of pre and post tests in meaningful learning had a significant difference between the two groups. Considering the effect of concept mapping method on students' meaningful learning, it is recommended to employ this method in teaching courses which require a deep learning and high level of understanding the content

effect of nutrition education on the knowlege and practice of elementary school children regarding junk food intake

Nutritional habits and behavior are acquired and established during childhood and can remain through the whole life. Proper nutrition in childhood results in enhancing the child growth and development and hinders the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. Regarding the significance of nutritional training of school children, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of nutrition education on knowledge and nutritional practice of grade five elementary school children about junk food intake in Tabriz from 2004 to 2005. This experimental study was conducted on 487 students [from 16 schools] in two control and treatment groups. In this research two teaching styles [lecturing without teaching aids - and with teaching aids and group discussion] were performed for twelve sessions for the students. Data collecting tool was a questionnaire whose reliability and validity had been confirmed in advance. To investigate the effect of intervention of nutrition education in junk food consumption Solomon method was used. The results obtained from this study showed no significant difference between mean knowledge and practice of the students in control and education groups before intervention. However, after nutrition education there was a significant difference [P=0.005] between mean score of knowledge and practice in two groups and the mean score of practice in treatment group increased from 87.8 +/- 31.95 before intervention to 104.6 +/- 28.34 after intervention and the mean score of knowledge increased from 22.4 +/- 16.49 before intervention to 42.6 +/- 25.68 after intervention. In addition, knowledge and practice increased significantly in two groups [P=0.005]. The results were more favorable in girls than in boys [P=0.005]. Nutrition education plays a crucially important role in improvement of knowledge and practice, particularly in school. Replacement of junk food with nutritious, healthy food will reduce the complications posed by consumption of junk food. Parents, education also seems essential to reduce the consumption of junk food