SIRT1 gene is associated with cardiovascular disease in the Iranian population

Sirtuins [SIRT] have recently been identified as the pivotal regulators of lifespan and health. SIRT1 has protective effects against cardiovascular disease [CVD] and through its deacetylase activity it regulates numerous essential pathways including regulating blood pressure, reducing atherosclerosis, heart protection against oxidative stress and inducing cardiac cell survival and growth. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate whether two genetic polymorphisms of SIRT1 rs3758391 T/C and rs369274325 G/T are associated with the risk of CVD. A total of 500 Iranian subjects including 250 CVD patients and 250 healthy individuals as the control group were recruited in this case-control study. Genotyping of SIRT1 rs3758391 T/C and rs369274325 G/T polymorphisms were performed using PCR-RFLP and Tetra-ARMS PCR methods, respectively. Our findings indicated a significant difference between two groups regarding the SIRT1 rs3758391 CC genotype in both additive and recessive models. The rs3758391 CC genotype was found to be more frequent in CVD patients than in the controls [19% vs. 6%], suggesting a statistically significant difference in either of additive [CC vs. TT; OR = 3.06, P = 0.001] as well as recessive models [CC vs. TT + CT genotype; OR = 3.72, P = 0.001]. rphism may confer an increased risk of CVD in both additive and recessive models, in this Iranian population

Increasing serum troponin I and early prognosis in patients with chest pain or angina equivalent symptoms in the emergency department

The purpose of this research was to determine the relation between negative or positive qualitative troponin I test and the short term prognosis of patients presenting to emergency department with chest pain or angina equivalent symptoms. We assessed the qualitative rapid troponin I in patients with chest pain or angina equivalent symptoms after at least 4 hours and then we followed the patients in 72 hours after presentation for adverse events such as death, CCU admission, fatal arrhythmias and heart failure. After comparing qualitative troponin I test results and adverse events, we concluded that the troponin I was significantly more positive in patients with adverse events [i.e. CCU admission, fatal arrhythmias and heart failure] [P=0.031]. A single measurement of rapid qualitative troponin I test can be used as a prognostic factor in patients with chest pain or angina equivalent symptoms and also as a device for risk stratification of moderate and high risk patients

[ assessment of lorazepam effectiveness to reduce acute and delayed nausea and vomiting among chemotherapy patients: a randomized clinical trial]

Cancer is defined as one of the most leading causes of death in Iran, as well as the whole world. Chemotherapy as a common modality might have several consequences such as nausea and vomiting. Metoclopramide, anti-5Hl3, antagonist and benzodiazepines are used to decrease vomiting symptoms. However, the effectiveness of benzodiazepine is unknown so far. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Lorazepam in decreasing of metoclopramide dosage. Seventy consecutive patients were sampled to assess the outcome. Lorazepam was randomly added to premedication drugs in one of two chemotherapy courses for all patients. The lorazepam proscribed one night before chemotherapy and continued for three days after chemotherapy every 12 hours. The frequency and severity of nausea showed a significant decrease with lorazepam vs. grade II + acute decrease from 85% to 53% [p<0.0001], grade II + delayed nausea decrease from 86.2% to 55% [p<0.0001], grade II+ delayed vomiting decrease from 69.14% to 13% [p<0.0001]. Despite previous studies the results of this study show a clear impact of lorazepam benefits on the decrease severity and frequency of nausea and vomiting

[Study the effect of ice massage on labor pain in parturient women who reffered to allocated hospitals in Tehran city]

The fear of labor pain caused to increase of cesarean rate in women, therefore most of women preferred to use of the non-pharmacological approaches. From the non-pharmacological analgesia approaches can point to the ice massage. Thus, regarding to the importance of the labor pain this study was administered to investigate the impact of ice massage and placebo on intensity of labor pain. This Study is a randomized controlled trial that performed on to parturient women that referred for labor located hospitals of Tehran city. Parturient women were randomly assigned to two groups and intervention performed on Hegu point Data collected from the VAS on four times then data entered in SPSS program and analyzed. The findings of this study indicated that the average of pain in the before of intervention was non-significance difference between two groups. The comparison of average of pain in immediate, half and one hour after intervention, independent T test showed that there was significant difference between two groups only in half hour after intervention. In base of findings this research, although ice massage caused to decreased intensity of labor pain, but attention to high intensity of labor pain and increased of this pain during the first stage of labor seem to this method can't only decreased the pain intensity of labor and need to accompanying with the other non-pharmacological analgesic methods or repeated this method until during the first stage of labor

[Spinal injuries in aircrews following ejection]

The high speed and low altitude led to military aircrafts operate necessitated designing and manufacturing new systems to escape aircrews. The most important and common escape system is ejection seat. Although the ejection seats saved many aircrews, but they are associated with many injuries including spinal fractures due to the severe loading exerted during ejection. There are many studies investigated the spinal fractures following ejection but our knowledge about the incidence, patterns and causes of these injuries are insufficient. Furthermore, the incidence of spinal fractures reported in current studies using modern ejection systems is high enough to remind that the design and structure of the current seats must be modified to reduce the number of ejectees suffering from spinal fractures which may be followed by spinal cord injuries. The purpose of current study was to briefly review the available reports about the incidence and causes of spinal fractures in ejectors

Smoking habits among Iranian general practitioners

Smoking is one of the most important public health problems and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. General practitioners [GPs] as a key person play a great role in public health policy and public smoking behaviors. This study aimed to identify general practitioners' smoking practices. The main research question was what proportions of physicians are smoking and what their pattern of smoking is. This cross-sectional study was carried out using a WHO-based questionnaire. A sample size of 5140 general practitioners selected by stratified random sampling method from a total of 25,600 practitioners all over the country at the time of the study participated in the study. Seventy four percent of the subjects were males. Out of them, 22.3% had a history of smoking at some point of their life; about 4.6% have ceased it; 8.3% had occasional history of smoking and the remaining 7.6% mentioned a daily smoking pattern, while 77.7% of them have never smoked. At the time of study, 15% were smoking. About 60% of smoking physicians had started smoking from the age of 21-30 years. The mean, the minimum and the maximum number of daily cigarettes were respectively 6.62 +/- 6.15, 1, and 40 cigarettes. After cigarettes, the most common tobacco products used by physicians were respectively pipes [4.7%], Shisha [4.3%], and cigars [3.9%]. There were significant relationship between smoking pattern of GPs and some factors such as their age of onset of smoking, gender, knowledge about smoking side effects, and attitude towards smoking [p<0.001]. A considerable proportion of Iranian practitioners were currently smoking. There is a need for specific strategies to encourage smoking physicians to quit. These data should help policy makers and other key persons seeking effective programs to reduce tobacco use among GPs in Iran

[ influential factors on burnout among nurses working in private hospitals in Tehran]

Nursing burnout is a syndrome, causing negative self image, negative attitude toward job and disrupted communication with the clients, could lead to a severe decline of healthcare qualities. Healthcare sectors are among the most important fields of stable development in any human society, which need healthy, enthused and motivated practitioners. Nursing staffs in private sectors encounter with numerous problems and job stress in their working environments which can result their burnout. The aim of present study was to identify the influential factors on burnout in nurses of private hospitals in Tehran. The study was carried out using a descriptive-analytic method. 505 nurses were participated in the study from different private hospitals in Tehran including Toos, Pastor no, Laleh, Tehran clinic and Kasra hospitals. Data were gathered through the questionnaires containing demographic information, scale of nursing burnout's factors and Maslach nursing burnout. Data was analyzed using SPSS package. The participants reported their high emotional exhaustion [6.36%], high depersonalization [1.81%] and feeling low competent [23.63%]. The most important factor contributing in nurses' burnout in assessed private sectors was the inappropriateness between the income and the workload and its difficulties. Considering the results and the importance of nursing job, attempts to reduce nurses' problems such as financial, social and managerial problems is important. The authorities should support nurses by preparing an appropriate environmental, personnel and management conditions

effect of progressive muscle relaxation program [PMR] on anxiety of patients undergoing coronary heart angiography

Coronary heart disease is major cause of death in the world. One of the diagnostic tests for coronary patients is catheterization which leads to stress and anxiety in most patients. Progressive muscle relaxation program [PMR] is no drug interventions to reduce anxiety in patients. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of PMR on anxiety of patients undergoing for coronary artery angiography. This pre-post semi-experimental research was performed on 146 patients referred to the Shahid Rajaei heart hospital in Tehran for angiography. Progressive muscle relaxation program was prepared on a CD and was delivered to the patients. The anxiety was evaluated using a questionnaire before and after starting the program. Data were analyzed by using statistical tests, such as Chi-square and paired-t tests. No significant statistical relation was seen between age, marital status and history of disease with anxiety agents [P>0.05]. Demographic characteristics of patients showed a significant statistical relation between educational status, economic status and occupational status and history of admission to hospital with anxiety agents [P<0.05]. Paired-T test showed a significant relation between anxiety in coronary heart patients before and after starting PMR program [P<0.05]. Results of this study demonstrate a positive effect of PMR study on reducing anxiety in patients undergoing coronary heart angiography. Because of this positive effect of PMR, using this method is recommended to control anxiety in similar patients

[ rare case of double myocardial bridges of the left anterior descending artery]

Myocardial bridge is a benign congenital anomaly in which a segment of major epicardial coronary arteries descends into the myocardium for a variable distance. Myocardial bridge is most often single and located in the middle part of the left anterior descending artery. The presence of more than one myocardial bridge in coronary arteries is very rare. We present a patient with more than one myocardial bridge in the left anterior descending artery. The case was a 55- year old man, referred to our clinic with the complaint of atypical chest pain. In the radionucloid study a reversible ischemia in the anterior wall was found. For this abnormal finding, he underwent a coronary angiography and it showed two myocardial bridges in the mid and end segments of the left anterior descending artery. Since myocardial bridge is usually single, the present case with two consecutive myocardial bridges in one artery can be presented as a very rare case report

effect of community, university and health units collaboration on improving adolescent's health education

The large population of youths in the Islamic Republic of Iran [I.R. Iran] with their lack of access to information and services on reproductive health appropriate to their age and the cultural beliefs, forced the public health managers to develop and implement a pilot study on improving the knowledge and attitude about reproductive health and menstruation among 12-14 years old girls in a health center in Semnan province about 200 Km east of the capital. The supporting role of religious and political leaders at national and provincial levels, active involvement of university academicians and managers, direct or indirect usage of the local female volunteers as health communicators, requiring parents' consent and presence of efficient primary health care system with motivated health workers were the main factors in successful implementation of the project. The study population consisted of 12,000 registered residents of one of Semnan urban health centers. Among them, 370 girls 12-14 years old were identified. In order to prepare proper training materials and determine evaluation indicators a pre-test was performed. Then a local volunteer [mother, sister or a female volunteer] was selected to communicate the information and educate the girls with appropriate respect to parents' point of view. All volunteers were previously trained in preparatory classes. All the process was under supervision of the health workers. The study lasted 8 months from September 1998 to April 1999. To evaluate changes in knowledge, attitude and behavior of the girls on health care during puberty, menstruation, marriage and pregnancy a post-intervention test was conducted. Data analysis before intervention indicates that girls had a satisfactory knowledge and attitude towards marriage and issues related to pregnancy. However, they had poor knowledge, attitude, and behavior on issues regarding adolescent health and puberty. This was dramatically changed after intervention. This study revealed that with proper collaboration among community, university and health units, even the most complex social problems that are rooted in the culture and traditions can be resolved. Based on the positive results of this study, plans are under consideration to expand this approach to study 15-19 years old girls and boys with age-specific educational contents in appropriate format