[Antioxidant activity of different extracts of the Artemisia Annua growing in an area of Babol city]

Background: Plants are an important source of antioxidants that can help to cell's normal metabolism via preventing accumulation of free radicals and so, prevent developing diseases associated with oxidative stress. Thus, the present study was performed to determine the antioxidant properties of Artemissia Annua extracts [AA].

Methods and materials: at first, Artemisia Annua with a local name as Gandvash identified and then some parts of its leaves and flowers into powder. Extracting was done using water, ethanol and methanol solvent. FRAP assay was performed to determine the antioxidant properties. For this purpose, extract solutions with 20% concentration were added to FRAP solution and after incubation, the optical absorption values was measured. The ferrous sulfate and vitamin C were used as standard solutions.

Results: the Mean total antioxidant capacity [TAC] for methanolic leaves extract was 72.18 +/- 4.18 micro mol ferrous sulfate and 90.31 +/- 5.27 mg of vitamin C per gram of dry weight, which is considerably higher than other extracts [p<0.001] . TAC of Ethanolic extract of leaves and Methanolic extract of flowers ranked lower in terms of significance . There was no significant difference between aqueous extracts of leaves and flowers in TAC [p>0.05] while, the ethanol extract of the leaves and flowers were different significantly [p <0.01]

Conclusion: Various extracts of A.A showed different TAC values which may result from some differences in efficiency level of solvents used in extracting of plant's antioxidant substances. It seems that the methanol is better solvent in comparison to the ethanol and water for extracting of antioxidant materials.besides, The TAC findings of methanolic extracts of leaves and flowers suggest this is likely that the A.A antioxidant compounds distributed more in the leaves.

Production of a novel high strength heavy concrete using tourmaline and galena for neutron and photon radiation shielding

High density concrete is extensively used for efficient radiation attenuation in radiotherapy rooms and nuclear reactors. Over the past eight years, some efficient galena-based concrete samples for shielding X or gamma rays was produced. The goal of this study was to produce a novel high density concrete against neutron and photon radiations using tourmaline and galena. Attenuation of gamma photons was measured using a Farmer type ionization chamber with a standard [60]Co buildup cap on a Theratron[60] Co therapy unit. Neutron shielding characteristics were measured by using an Am-Be source. The MCNP4C radiation transport computer code was used to investigate the effects of various shield thicknesses on the attenuation of gamma-ray photons and neutrons. The concrete samples had a density of 4.0- 4.2 g/cm[3]. The compressive strength was 326 - 560 kg/cm2. The calculated value for Half Value Layer [HVL] of the tourmaline-galena concrete samples for 60Co gamma rays was 2.72 cm, which is much less than that of ordinary concrete [6.0 cm]. The MC-derived HVL for photons with the same energy was 2.77 cm, which is in a good agreement with the experimental data. Moreover, ToGa concrete had up to 10 times greater neutron attenuation compared to that of the reference concrete. Tourmalin-Galena Concrete opens a new horizon in economic and efficient gamma/neutron shielding in high-energy radiotherapy bunkers, nuclear power plants, and shielding of radioactive sources

analysis of health research system evaluation in medical sciences universities

Based on Iran by 2025 defined vision, we must to receive the first grade of science position in south western Asian region. Thus we need to have a comprehensive evaluation program. A comprehensive WHO Health Research System Analysis [HRSA]- based evaluation system was developed to evaluate the HRS in Iran. This article has explored the results of the five-year evaluation [2003-2008] and aims to introduce this method to other developing countries. Here we explore the results of research performance evaluation from 2002 to 2010 and by comparing the results with previous available information, we reveal the probable role of this method in research promotion and proposed approach to facilitate and expedite achieving the prospects for goals of health research based on the visions of Iran by 2025. All of the indicators of stewardship and capacity building axes are received to their predefined levels. Moreover all of the medical science university research policies are based on their strategic plannings which are extracted from national visions of Iran by 2025. Most of the predefined goals in knowledge production domain had a significant grow trend but for more growth for commitments they should be closely follow. We developed an HRS-based comprehensive evaluation program to our national vision as well as our regional and international research competition

Community mobilization for youth health promotion: a lesson learned from Iran

More than 36% of the total population of Iran consists of young people aged 15 to 25 yr. Recent studies show that this age group has the highest rate of serious health problems. Youth participatory studies on youth health priority have shown that mental health is one of the most important priorities in youth health. Aim to assessing the mental health needs of youth we conducted a peer group based multidisciplinary study. To conduct a multi disciplinary approach through involving youth for finding their mental health needs and their suggestion for solving them, we designed a qualitative approach based on grounded theory. To data collection, we used a semi-structured guide questionnaire. Sixteen focus group discussions were conducted by trained peers with youth aged 15-25 years. According to FGDs results, most of youth health needs concern with their interpersonal communications skills particularly with their parents'; they had some problems with their parental expectations meet; life skills; self-expression and problem solving process. They were extremely interested in participatory approach in which they involved in assessment and determination of their health problems also in designing health programs. Success of program shows empowering the community through capacity building and notice to peer group-based interventions to critical enhancing in various aspects of youth health is the most effective method to needs assessment and community mobilization for better health

fast model for prediction of respiratory lung motion for image-guided radiotherapy: a feasibility study

The aim of this work was to study the feasibility of constructing a fast thorax model suitable for simulating lung motion due to respiration using only one CT dataset. For each of six patients with different thorax sizes, two sets of CT images were obtained in single-breath-hold inhale and exhale stages in the supine position. The CT images were then analyzed by measurements of the displacements due to respiration in the thorax region. Lung and thorax were 3D reconstructed and then transferred to the ABAQUS software for biomechanical fast finite element [FFE] modeling. The FFE model parameters were tuned based on three of the patients, and then was tested in a predictive mode for the remaining patients to predict lung and thorax motion and deformation following respiration. Starting from end-exhale stage, the model, tuned for a patient created lung wall motion at end-inhale stage that matched the measurements for that patient within 1 mm [its limit of accuracy]. In the predictive mode, the mean discrepancy between the imaged landmarks and those predicted by the model [formed from averaged data of two patients] was 4.2 mm. The average computation time in the fast predictive mode was 89 sec. Fast prediction of approximate, lung and thorax shapes in the respiratory cycle has been feasible due to the linear elastic material approximation, used in the FFE model

Health research evaluation and its role on knowledge production

Knowledge production and evaluation are two important functions of health research system [HRS]. In this article, we aimed to reveal the correlation between evaluation of health research organizations and health knowledge production promotion. A comprehensive evaluation system was developed to evaluate the academic performance of national medical science universities on an annual basis. It assess following domains; stewardship, capacity building and knowledge production. Measurable indicators for each domain were assigned, a 'research profile' for each department was provided. In this study, we compared the results of annually national Health Research System evaluation findings during 2005-2008. The number of scientific articles has been increased from 4672 to 8816 during 2005 to 2008. It is mentionable that, the number of articles which has been published in indexed data bases has risen too. This fact could be related to directed policy for more international publication of scientific articles from Iran. The proportion of total articles to the number of academic members was 1.14 in 2008, comparing to 0.84 in 2005. It means that this proportion have increased about twice [0.7 Vs 0.45] during mentioned time. Moreover, other scientific products such as authored books based on domestic researches and cited articles in textbooks have increased according to special attention to knowledge production by policy makers. We conclude that Health System Research evaluation could be used as a mean for implementing policies and promoting knowledge production

effects of internal wall covering materials on hazards of indoor radon concentrations in houses of Iran

Radon gas emanating from underground can concentrate indoor and reach levels, which represent a risk to people's health. According to WHO [World Health Organization] and ERA [Environmental Protection Agency], radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the world. Due to the direct correlation of lung cancer and radon exposure, it is ideal to evaluate the hazards of radon accumulation in the Iran dwellings with different materials by direct measurement of the radon concentrations using accurate, simple and fast method. The aim of this study was to measure variation of radon concentrations with different covering materials on internal building surfaces including walls, which are used in Iran dwellings. A special chamber with changeable walls of different covering materials [gypsum, wallpaper, oil dye, plastic dye, wood board, and Belka] was made. Radioactive lantern mantles were used for elevating the radon [220]Rn] levels in the chamber artificially. Ventilation in the chamber had been such way that accumulation of radon could be possible. Active measurement by Prassi portable radon gas surveyor was performed for staging purposes. The average radon concentration for wood and plastic dye was 869.0 +/- 66.7 and 936.8_60.6 [bq/m[3]], respectively, while that for wallpaper and gypsum was 449.2 +/- 101.7, 590.9 +/- 49.0 [bq/m[3]], significantly lower than other covers. The average radon concentration for oil dye and Belka cover was 668.3 +/- 42.3, 697.2 +/- 136.7 [bq/m[3]], respectively. Individuals living in a house with internal wall covering materials of gypsum and wallpaper receive an average annual dose smaller than one living in a house with internal wall covering materials of wood board and plastic dye. Using wallpaper and gypsum as an internal cover for the dwellings suggested

[Health research priority setting in Iran]

Priority setting is one of the most important issues in health research systems. No national health system can afford to finance all research projects proposed by researchers, especially in developing countries. Therefore, we decided to set the main national health research priorities in Iran using the Essential National Health Research [ENHR] method. All of the Iranian universities of medical sciences and other stakeholders collaborated in this study. The methodology for research priority setting was based on needs assessment and ENHR. The total number of research priorities gathered from universities of medical sciences was 6723. The proportions of topics related to basic science, applied and development subjects were 17%, 78% and 5%, respectively. Further analysis of the data showed that almost half [46.3%] of the research priorities were descriptive, 36.0% analytical, and 17.6% interventional. The research priorities were divided into 9 main areas, namely, communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, health system research, pharmaceutical sciences and industrial pharmacy, basic science, traditional and herbal medicine, nutrition, environmental health, and dentistry. Up to now the common procedure for research priority setting has been, with a top-to-bottom approach, managed by a limited number of researchers and experts, while in the method presented in this paper a bottom-to-top approach is used, which is more effective

[Health beliefs about mammography and clinical breast examination among female healthcare providers in Tabriz health centers]

Mammography and clinical breast examination have been recommended for early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic women. Health beliefs play an important role in people's tendency toward participation in health promotion behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the health beliefs of female health care providers of Tabriz Health Centers about mammography and clinical breast examination. It was a descriptive, cross- sectional study. The participants were recruited from 52 health center of Tabriz city by proportional cluster random sampling [n=196]. Data was collected by Champion's Health Belief Model Scale and analyzed using SPSS-PC [v.14]. The findings revealed that 26.6% and 10.7% of the sample had a history of mammography and clinical breast examination respectively. The most prevalent barriers to mammography and breast examination were beliefs about painful nature of mammography [2.45 +/- 1.02] and fear of the possible diagnosis of cancer [2.30 +/- 1.05]. There were significant associations between mammography and marital status [p=0.001] and age [p<0.001] and also between clinical breast examination and age [p=0.02]. Misconceptions and incorrect beliefs about mammography and clinical breast examination could result in low rate of participation in mammography and clinical breast examination. Providing educational programs to correct wrong health beliefs about these examinations is recommended

Sequence analysis of lysozyme C from the scorpion mesobuthus eupeus venom glands using semi- nested RT-PCR

Lysozyme is an antimicrobial protein widely distributed among eukaryotes and prokaryotes and take part in protecting microbial infection. Here, we amplified cDNA of MesoLys-C, a c-type lysozyme from the most common scorpion in Khuzestan Province, Southern Iran. Scorpions of Mesobuthus eupeus were collected from the Khuzestan Province. Using RNXTM solution, the total RNA was extracted from the twenty separated venom glands. cDNA was synthesized with extracted total RNA as template and modified oligo [dT] as primer. In order to amplify cDNA encoding a lysozyme C, semi-nested RT-PCR was done with the specific primers. Follow amplification, the fragment was sequenced. Sequence determination of amplified fragment revealed that MesoLys-C cDNA had 438 bp, encoding for 144 aa residues peptide with molecular weight of 16.702 kDa and theoretical pI of 7.54. A putative 22-amino-acids signal peptide was identified. MesoLys-C protein was composed of one domain belonged to c-type lysosyme/alphalactalbumin. Multiple alignment of MesoLys-C protein with the related cDNA sequences from various organisms by ClustalW program revealed that some of the conserved residues of other c-type lysosymes were also seen in MesoLys-C. However, the comparison suggested that Mesobuthus eupeus of Khuzestan and east Mediterranean Mesobuthus eupeus belonged to different subspecies

Evaluation of the changes in the shape and location of the prostate and pelvic organs due to bladder filling and rectal distension

A steep dose gradient between prostate and organs at risk [rectum and bladder] is ideal in treatment modality, so prostate displacement and deformation due to bladder filling and rectal distension play an important role in critical organs dose. This study aims to evaluate the changes in the shape and location of the prostate and pelvic organs due to bladder filling and rectal distension. Three patients who referred for transrectal prostatic biopsy [Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran] with different prostate sizes were enrolled. A 1.5-Tesla MRI system [Avanto, Siemens, Germany] and an ultrasound system [Logiq 500, GE medical systems, USA] were used to collect images of patients prostate at different stages of bladder and rectum fullness. The mean displacement of the prostate after bladder filling in the supine and left decubitus positions along the Anterior-Posterior [AP] axis was posterior by 4.9 mm [range: 0.7-6.3 mm] and along the Superior-Inferior [SI] axis was inferior by 3.4 mm [range: 1.4-5 mm]. Prostate displacement in the Left-Right [LR] axis was negligible. The mean prostate displacement after rectal distension was anterior by 7.1 mm in the supine position, 5.1 mm anterior in the left decubitus position and along the SI axis was inferior by 2.5 mm in the supine and left decubitus positions. The maximum prostate deformation due to rectal distension and bladder filling in the supine position was as large as 3.2 mm, 1.9 mm and 1.2 mm in the AP, SI and LR directions respectively. While in the left decubitus position, it was 2.6 mm, 1.2 mm and 1.3 mm in the AP, LR and SI axis respectively. It is probably of importance to evaluate the influence of the changes in the shape and location of the prostate due to bladder filling, rectal distension and patient position in post-implant brachytherapy dosimetry. Using images of the patients in the left decubitus position with full bladder and distended rectum for planning a treatment are suggested

Production of a datolite-based heavy concrete for shielding nuclear reactors and megavoltage radiotherapy rooms

Biological shielding of nuclear reactors has always been a great concern and decreasing the complexity and expense of these installations is of great interest. In this study, we used datolite and galena [DaGa] minerals for production of a high performance heavy concrete. Datolite and galena minerals which can be found in many parts of Iran were used in the concrete mix design. To measure the gamma radiation attenuation of the DaGa concrete samples, they were exposed to both narrow and wide beams of gamma rays emitted from a cobalt-60 radiotherapy unit. An Am-Be neutron source was used for assessing the shielding properties of the samples against neutrons. To test the compression strengths, both types of concrete mixes [DaGa and ordinary concrete] were investigated. The concrete samples had a density of 4420-4650 kg/m[3] compared to that of ordinary concrete [2300-2500 kg/m[3]] or barite high density concrete [up to 3500 kg/m[3]]. The measured half value layer thickness of the DaGa concrete samples for cobalt-60 gamma rays was much less than that of ordinary concrete [2.56 cm compared to 6.0 cm]. Furthermore, the galena concrete samples had a significantly higher compressive strength as well as 20% more neutron absorption. The DaGa concrete samples showed good shielding/ engineering properties in comparison with other reported samples made, using high-density materials other than depleted uranium. It is also more economic than the high-density concretes. DaGa concrete may be a suitable option for shielding nuclear reactors and megavoltage radiotherapy rooms

effectiveness of educational intervention in the health promotion in elderly people

More than 8% of Iran's populations are elderly. The greatest challenge in this generation is improvement of health and quality of life. So we decided to perform an interventional study with the aim of promoting the health of the elderly. This study was a community interventional in Ekbatan Complex. Subjects were elderly. At first, need assessment was done with the participation of 200 elderly by questionnaire. Based on the need assessment, we designed the educational interventions in different fields such as nutrition, mental health, and exercise and then, we compared the results. One hundred elderly participated as interventional group. There were 86% women and 24% of men. Almost 59% were in the 60-69 age group. More than 1/4 of the subjects were university graduates. Pre and post interventional groups were matched in age, education and gender. Regarding nutrition, second priority food in women aged 60-69 was rice and after the intervention, it was changed to vegetables [P=0.05] but in other age groups and in the men's groups no difference were noted. Aerobic exercises in women has increased after the intervention [P=0.01]. With regards to mental health, life satisfaction among women under study has increased from 68% to 90% after the intervention [P=0.01]. Feeling happy most of the time has increased from 53% to 83% in women aged 60-69 [P=0.01] and in men from 64% to 83% [P=0.05] respectively. Policymakers should design long-term educational programs to promote the elderly lifestyles

[Effect of linseed [seed of flax] on blood lipid levels]

Linseed [seed of flax] contains high amounts of omega-3 Fatty acids, which is said to have antihyperlipidemic effects. In this study, blood lipid levels [Triglycerids, Cholesterol, LDL, HDL] of 56 hyperlipidemic patients were measured before and after Linseed administration [6 gr linseed powder daily as a biscuit formulation for 3 months as a supplementation to their simple diet]. The results were analysed by t-test using SPSS software. There were some decreases in the mean level of serum total cholesterol [about 10% decrease, P=0.001], mean serum triglyceride [about 12% decrease, P=0.001], and mean serum LDL [about 10% decrease, P=0.001] before and after Linseed administration. The total-Cholesterol/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios decreased concordantly as well. However, there was no significant alteration in serum HDL level after linseed administration. Linseed administration combined with a simple diet, clinically decreases blood lipid levels. Hence, supplementation of simple diet with 6 gr Linseed powder daily, seems to be helpful in reducing patients blood lipid levels

[Relationship between parenting style and academic competence among adolescents studying in Tabriz high schools, 2002]

It was showed that family relationships affect on adolescent academic achievement. Regarding to the parenting style importance on academic competence, this study was carried out to determine relationship between parenting style and academic competence in adolescents. This is a descriptive correlational study with multistage cluster sampling of 360 adolescents studying in Tabriz high schools. Questionnaires using in this study were parenting style inventory II and Academic Competence Scale. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and LSD. According to the finding the majority of adolescents [%39.7] reported authoritative parenting style and high academic competence [39.2%]. Relation between parenting style and academic competence [F=187.8, P=0.000] was significant. Regarding the fact that the majority of adolescents reported authoritative parenting style and relation between parenting style and academic competence was significant, so parents' education for adolescence's characteristic and parenting style outcomes lead to promoting adolescent academic competence

[Comparison of halothane and propofol effect on blood pressure and heart rate changes in maintenance of anesthesia]

Background and Objective: Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic for induction and maintenance of anesthesia, which its usage is increasing owing to produce a general state of post operative well being, antiemetic effect, rapid onset and recovery. This study was done to compare the effect of halothane and propofol on blood pressure and heart rate in maintenance of anesthesia

Methods: One hundred patients in ASA class I and II [American Society of Anesthesiologists] 16-60 years old were randomly divided into two groups. Halothane and propofol with continuous IV infusion were used for maintenance of anesthesia in group 1 and 2, respectively. Hemodynamic changes were measured after premedication, 1 minute after intubation and then every 5 minutes but it was recorded to 30 minutes after beginning and end of surgery. In the end of surgery, the patients were taken to recovery room and observed for evaluating nausea and vomiting for one hour and duration of recovery was compared on the basis of visual and verbal response

Findings: Systolic blood pressure during maintenance of anesthesia was similar in two groups, but systolic blood pressure changes [0.037] and heart rate [P=0.009] were different in both groups. Relative frequency of nausea and vomiting was one in propofol group and four in halothane group. First and second recovery time in propofol group were 9.60, 10.52 min and in halothane group were 20.20, 22.90 min, respectively that there was significant difference between them [P=0.000]

Conclusion: With regard to cardiovascular changes in maintenance of anesthesia with propofol, halothane and recovery time, propofol is a better choice in cases that rapid recovery time is need or inhalational drug usage is contraindicated