relationship between self-esteem, general health and academic achievement in students of Shiraz University of medical sciences

Controversial reports are available about the relationship between students' self-esteem, and their academic achievement and general health. Since these reports are mainly based on studies in high school students, this study was performed to determine the relationship between self-esteem, general health and academic achievement in students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. In a cross-sectional study, a sample of 512 students [168 male and 344 female] from 8 schools were randomly selected through multistage random sampling during autumn 2005. Data was gathered by demographic and achievement questionnaire, Copper-Smith inventory [for assessing self-esteem] and Goldberg Health Questionnaire [to assess general health]. The results were analyzed by SPSS-13 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, t-test, ANOVA and multiple regressions. The mean score and standard deviation for self-esteem were 17.6 +/- 4.6 [out of 25], for general health were 20.9 +/- 4.13[out of 84] and average grade point was 15.6 +/- 1.6 [out of 20]. There were no significant correlations between self-esteem, and achievement. A significantly negative correlation between self-esteem and general health was seen [r = -0.59]. However, the difference between probationary and non-probationary students in terms of self-esteem and general health was significant. Predictive factors for grade point average were sex, residence, and being in probation. There was not a strong correlation between students' academic achievement and their general health and self-esteem, but, self-esteem and general health were correlated. It seems that students' academic achievement is influenced by other factors

Effect of Garlic on some blood lipids and hmgcoa reductase activity

Triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein [a], free fatty acids and glucose levels were measured in the serum or plasma of 86 normal male human subjects, aged 25 to 50 years, before and after one month of garlic powder consumption [one 400 mg garlic tablet, 3 times daily]. Levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly decreased after garlic consumption [by 10.7%, 11.5% and 14.2% respectively, p<0.05]. Furthermore, this decrease was significantly greater [p<0.05] for initial cholesterol levels of >200 mg/dl and triglyceride levels of >150 mg/dl/[14.7% and 15% respectively], and less pronounced for cholesterol levels of%200 mg/dl and triglyceride levels of% 150 mg/dl/[7.3% and 6% respectively]. The reduction in LDL cholesterol was also significantly greater [p<0.05] for initial levels of>135 mg/dl/[16.7%]as compared with levels of%135 mg/dl/[10.0%]. No significant differences existed in the levels of glucose, free fatty acids, lipoprotein [a] and HDL cholesterol measured before and after consumption of garlic. Measurements of cholesterol and triglycerides were also carried out in 15 normal male rats, weighing 250 to 300g, after receiving a diet containing 2.5% garlic powder for 10 days. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly lower [p<0.05] in these rats as compared to a control group receiving regular stock powder without garlic. The specific activity of HMGCoA reductase in the liver microsomal fraction of 12 normal male rats receiving the garlic powder [2.5% of the diet] for 10 days,was also significantly decreased [p<0.05] as compared to a control group on the stock diet without garlic