[Effects of nitric oxide production inhibitor named, N[G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME], on rat mesenchymal stem cells differentiation]

Recently, the findings of some studies have shown that, nitric oxide [NO] probably has an important role in differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblasts. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effects of nitric oxide production inhibitor named, N[G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME], on rat mesenchymal stem cells differentiation to osteoblasts in vitro. This was an experimental study conducted at Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in 2009, in which rat bone marrow stem cells were isolated in an aseptic condition and cultured in vitro. After third passage, the cells were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium. To study the effects of L-NAME on osteogenic differentiation, the L-NAME was added to the culture medium at a concentration of 125, 250, and 500 micro M in some culture plates. During the culture procedure, the media were replaced with fresh ones, with a three days interval. After 28 days of culturing; the mineralized matrix was stained using Alizarian red staining method. The gathered data were analyzed by SPSS software version 12 using one way ANOVA. The findings of this study showed that in the presence of L-NAME, differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblasts was disordered and matrix mineralization significantly decreased in a dose dependent manner. This study revealed that, inhibition of nitric oxide production using L-NAME can prevent the differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblast. The results imply that NO is an important constituent in differentiation of mesenchymal stem cell to osteoblasts

[Accuracy of double stethoscope device for blood pressure evaluation]

Blood pressure [BP] is routinely evaluated intermittently during the clinical status for care and treatment. The most common method to measure BP is by using the sphygmomanometer with a stethoscope. This method may be difficult for medical students that will use BP for medical evaluation. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of double stethoscope device for blood pressure monitoring, with standard ausculatory measurements using a mercury sphygmomanometer. In this distinguished report, 65 volunteer participants were studied. Means, standard deviations and Systolic, Diastolic pressure were calculated. The correlation between groups was determined with Pearson correlation. Mean difference in systolic, Diastolic Blood pressure between standard and routine method with double stethoscope method measurements, was not significant [P<0.001] and were in agreement with Pearson correlation between them. This study demonstrates that the double stethoscope device provides an accurate measure of blood pressure that is closely approximates with what is achieved by the indirect auscultator method, using a mercury sphygmomanometer

[ survey of age at natural menopause according to determinants factors in Arak city in 2007]

Menopause is a natural period of life. It means the permanent cessation of menstruation and the end of reproductive period which occurs between 45-52 years old. It also serves as an indicator of population health as the occurrence of menopause indicates the increased risk for the onset of several chronic diseases. In this study, the mean age of natural menopause among women in Arak [Central Iran] was investigated, considering their reproductive and socio-economic-demographic factors and their health behaviors. This study was an observational cross-sectional study on a population base, carried out in 2007 year. Interviews and questionnaires were used for gathering data from 458 women resident in Arak city, who had undergone a natural menopause. Sampling was multistaged using postal zones and selecting samples in each zone. Data was analyzed using variance analysis, multiple regression, T and correlation coefficient tests. Findings showed that the mean age of menopause in our sample was 48.2 +/- 2.34 years [95% CI: 47.98- 48.41] and its median was 49 years. The mean age of menopause in women who were never married was less than married women [P= 0.015]. Low income level [P= 0.003], having physical activity [P= 0.004], number of pregnancies [P<0.001], age of last pregnancy [P=0.026] and place of birth [P=0.003] were meaningfull factors in age of menopause. This phenomenon must be documented in Iran because of its strong link with mortality and morbidity of the growing number of women who are reaching advanced ages; whose one forth of life is after menopause. Therefore health education as the best way for changing their lifestyle is suggested