[Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine [NAC] administration on prevention of noise-induced hearing loss [NIHL] in rabbit]

Oxidative stress due to free radicals formation plays an important role in noise-induced hearing loss [NIHL]. Many hypotheses have been proposed regarding the biochemical prevention of this complication. This study was performed with the purpose of determining the preventive effect of N-acetylcysteine [NAC] administration, as an antioxidant agent, on NIHL in Rabbit. In an experimental study, 24 adult white male rabbits were divided into four groups, including: 1] control, 2] noise exposure [100dB octave band noise centered at 4000Hz for 40h], 3] noise exposure plus NAC administration [325mg/kg, daily ip injection], and 4] no exposure and NAC administration. Audiometric test of rabbits was assessed by auditory brainstem response [ABR] technique in three stages. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the groups, and a p<0.05 was considered significant. The mean ABR threshold shift for the noise exposure plus NAC administration group, 1 hour after exposure at 1, 2, 4 and 8kHz frequencies were, respectively, 16.66 +/- 1.63, 21.66 +/- 1.75, 33.5 +/- 2.34, and 39.33 +/- 2.25dB. These values were significantly less than the same values in the noise exposure group. The results of this study showed that NAC can provide a proper protective effect against hearing loss resulting from noise exposure

[Psychometric properties of the health-promoting lifestyle profile [HPLP II] in a sample of Iranian adolescents]

Objective [s]: Health-promoting behaviors of individuals are important determinants of health status. The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Iranian version of health-promoting lifestyle profile II [HPLP II] among adolescent girls

Methods: Pender's Health Promotion Model was the theoretical framework for this cross-sectional study of a sample of 500 high school girls [grade9-11], in Kashan, Iran. The HPLP II reliability was estimated using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient and test-retest. Concurrent validity was estimated by performing Pearson's correlation between the HPLP II, and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey [SF-12], perceived self-efficacy. In addition confirmatory factor analysis [CFA] was performed in order to evaluate construct validity. The data were analyzed using SPSS v.18 and LISREL8.8 programs

Results: The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.86 for the instrument and for subscales ranged from 0.70 to 0.77. The correlation between the HPLP II and the SF-12 and perceived self-efficacy were significant as expected. The confirmatory factor analysis yielded a good estimate of fit [X[2]=6.34, df =2, P = 0.420, NFI = 0.99, CFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.066]

Conclusion: The psychometric properties of Iranian version of HPLP II showed satisfactory results and now it can be used in studies of health promotion among young adolescents