[Comparison of repair of spinal cord injury [SCI] using bone marrow stromal cell and monocyte in a rat SCI Model]

Subsequent to spinal cord injury [SCI], many pathological changes may occur that could lead to inappropriate conditions for repair. The most important of such changes include the death of neurons, cyst formation, glial scar, and ineffectiveness of monocytes. Adult stem cells and monocytes may provide new strategies to treat SCI. Among various types of candidate cells, bone marrow stromal cells [BMSC] and monocytes are promising because of their potential for neuronal differentiation and repair. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of BMSC versus monocyte treatments in a rat SCI model. Rats were divided randomly into three groups of six. The SCI was inflicted using the weight dropping method. The BMSCs and monocytes were injected on the 4[th] day of post SCI. Group one included rats receiving normal saline, group two received BMSCs, and group three received monocytes. Following the injections, a Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan [BBB] score test was performed for a period of four weeks. Two weeks before the end of BBB, biotin dextran amine was injected intracerebrally followed by tissue staining at the end of the fourth week. There was not a significant difference in the BBB scores between the groups. There were significant differences in axon counting between group one and other groups [p<0.0001]. However, there were not significant differences in axon counting between groups two and three. BMSCs and monocytes are promising candidate cells for the repair of SCI. In this study, the scoring was carried out for 4 weeks. It might be better to continue the evaluation for a longer period

[Maternal knowledge about nutritional status of 6 to 12 month old infants in the community oriented medical education of Zanjan university of medical sciences]

Children suffering from failure to thrive [FTT] may have significant impairments in physical growth as well as cognitional and developmental functions .After 6 months of age approximately one third of the energy needed for a child should be provided by supplemental nourishments. Studies have shown that poverty itself is not a factor of malnutrition alone and the role of the mother's knowledge in proper use of the family income and the use of the supplementary nutrition in appropriate time with proper food is significant. The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal knowledge about nutritional status of children and its related factors. This cross sectional study was conducted on three hundred mothers who had a child between 6 to 12 months, at the health care center of the community oriented medical education in Zanjan University of Medical Sciences .The mothers were interviewed about supplemental nutrition. Information about maternal age, education, number of children, and family income were also gathered. One hundred eighty one [60/3%] of mothers were between the ages 20-29years and 35/3% had only elementary education. Fifty five percent lived in rental houses and 47/5% had one child. 42/3% of them were found to have average knowledge. Eighty two percent knew the appropriate time to start supplemental nutrition but 92% did not know that the best time of supplemental nutrition was after breast feeding. According to this study, there was a significant relationship between maternal knowledge about supplemental nutrition and maternal age, education, and the number of children [P<0.0001]. However there was no significant relationship between mother's knowledge and family type of home ownership. It seems that up-grading maternal knowledge plays an important role in prevention of FTT

[Epidemiology of overweight and obesity in Zanjan province 1383]

The prevalence of obesity, one of the greatest public health problems in the world has tripled in many countries since three decades ago; this increase is often faster in developing countries than in the developed world. Gathering information on the main factors involved in the occurrence of obesity in different geographical areas plays a key role in the prevention of it. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in relation to various factors in the Zanjan population. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 2500 Zanjan residents aged between 15 and 64 years who were randomly selected through cluster sampling via their postal codes, using the protocol of the WHO STEP wise approach. Information on demographic characteristics was collected using questionnaires. Weight and height were measured according to standard protocols. Those with a BMI within the range of 25-29.9 Kg/m[2] and 30 Kg/m[2] or above were classified as overweigh and obese, respectively. Overweight and obesity were defined based on the WHO classification. Data was analyzed using Chi-Square tests and Logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios. The prevalence of being overweight and obese in this population were 30.7% and 15% respectively. The proportion of obesity was 21.3% in women and 8.9% in men. The prevalence of obesity increased with increasing age and in both sexes was the highest in 45-54 year olds. Both prevalence of overweight and obesity were greater in urban residents and married participants. The prevalence of obesity was also decreased with increasing educational level. High prevalence of overweight and obesity in this population, specifically within high-risk groups, highlights the need to implement interventions for reducing this epidemic