[Determinants of oral health behavior among high school students in Marivan County, Iran based on the Pender's Health Promotion Model]

This paper reports on the predictors of high school students' oral health behaviors [OHBs] based on the Pender's Health Promotion Model [HPM] in an attempt to identify effective factors that may be addressed through intervention efforts. A multistage cluster sample of 403 high school students were recruited from 8 high schools in Marivan County, Iran. The study was conducted between April and July, 2010. Appropriate instruments were used to measure the relevant variables. The statistical analysis of the data included bivariate correlations, t-test, one-way ANOVA and linear regression. All HPM variables [perceived self-efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers, activity-related affects, interpersonal and situational influences and commitment to a plan of OHBs] were significantly related to OHBs among the respondents [p<0.01], and a negative association was found between OHBs and perceived barriers [p<0.01]. All HPM variables were statistically significant predictors of OHBs and accounted for 42.2% of the variance. Promotion of interpersonal influences and the students' perceived self-efficacy and also commitment to a plan of action should be priorities of any program aimed at promoting OHBs among students. School health care providers should suggest strategies to overcome the barriers of performing OHBs, rather than noting the benefits of these behaviors

[Comparison of ADHD [Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder] prevalence between female and male students of primary schools in Arak City in academic year of 2009-2010]

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of ADHD [Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder] between female and male students of primary schools in Arak City. This study was a descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study which included 2000 female and male students of primary schools in Arak City between 2009 and 2010. The method of sampling was stratification. We used Intelligence-Matrix of Raven Scale intelligence, Canners questionnaire [parents and teachers] to study ADHD, the demographic checklist for recording students' demographic data, and K-SADS-E questionnaire to document diagnosis of ADHD. Data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by chi-square test to determine the relationship between qualitative variables and also logistic regression model to determine odds ratio. In this study among 2000 students, 168 were suffering from one type of ADHD. Also this study showed that the prevalence of attention deficit was 2.3 percent [%1.6 in boys and%2.9 in girls], prevalence of the combined type of disorder was 2.7 percent [%3 in boys and%1.3 in girls]. There were a significant relationship between prevalence of ADHD and each of the following variables including: gender [p<0/001], educational level [p<0/027], and monthly family income of the students who were suffering from ADHD [p<0.019], but there was no significant relationship between the parents' educational level, the parents' occupation, living in areas polluted with heavy metals, living style and ADHD. According to the results of this study we recommend that the educational departments in every city provide training programs for the teachers and parents about the identification of signs and symptoms of ADHD to prevent deterioration of ADHD and educational problems in the children

[Comparison of the effect of Fluoxetine and Imipramine on fasting blood sugar of patients with major depressive disorders, four and eight weeks after treatment]

Depression is one of the most ancient and prevalent mood disorders in psychiatry. Risk of depression is 10-25% in women and 5-12% in men. since diabetes mellitus and its complications can lead to depression and vice versa, control of blood glucose levels in patients with depression and knowledge of the effect of antidepressant drugs on blood glucose levels are important. This study was performed to determine the effect of Fluoxetine and Imipramine on the fasting blood sugar [FBS] of patient with major depressive disorders. This study was a parallel randomized clinical trial based on diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV-TR. The subjects were selected randomly from the patients referring to Shahid Hashemi Senejani Hospital of Arak and private office. The patients were assigned into two groups; each group consisted of 40 subjects. Group A received fluoxetine 20 mg/day and group B received imipramine 100 mg/day. Measurement of FBS was performed before treatment, four weeks and eight weeks after treatment. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics, KS [Kolmogorov-Smirnov test] and paired t-test. There were no significant statistical differences between first and second times mean FBS values in groups A and B, but there were significant statistical differences in the third time mean GBS values between the two groups [P=0.001]. Also there was not any significant difference in the first and second time mean FBS values in group A [P=0.424] too. A significant decrease in the first and third time mean FBS values was noticed [P=0.039]. There was also a significant increase in the second and third times mean FBS values compared with the first time mean FBS values in group B [P<0.05]. This study revealed a decrease in FBS mean values after 8 weeks of treatment with Fluoxetine and an increase in FBS after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment with Imipramine. Therefore, we recommend Fluoxetine for treatment of depression in the patients with hyperglycemia, and Imipramine for depression in the patients with hypoglycemia

Detection of salmonella typhi based on the ViaB sequence by polymerase chain reaction

Background and Purpose: Typhoid fever, a disease caused by Salmonella typhi, is still one of the most important infectious diseases across the world. Different methods such as biochemical and Elisa methods are used for detection of this bacterium, which produce false responses in addition to being time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, the present research was conducted to detect Salmonella typhi by PCR method which is rapid, inexpensive and specific

Materials and methods: In this descriptive study which was conducted via diagnostic method, polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay was developed for detection of Salmonella typhi. This strain had formerly been confirmed by biochemical methods. For detection by PCR, one primer pair was designed, being specific to ViaB gene. The PCR product was digested by restricted enzyme. For specificity of assay, 6 different strains were used as control negative and for sensitivity of PCR reaction, serial dilution of bacteria was used

Results: The PCR product of Salmonella typhi was 530 bp which were then confirmed by digestion enzymes. In testing the specificity of the assay, Salmonella typhimorium, Shigella flexneri, E. coli, Clostridium botulinum, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis were used as negative control, and did not yield a PCR product. The sensitivity of this method was estimated to be about 50 CFU/ml

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that detection of ViaB gene with PCR method can be used for diagnossis of Salmonella typhi in clinical samples as a rapid, inexpensive, specific and highly sensitive method

[Comparing the SSR changes in patients with depression, mania and healthy persons]

Skin sympathetic response [SSR] is an electrophysiological techniques and a central polysynaptic process. In mood disorders there are some changes in the cortex, hypothalamus activity, limbic system and basalganglia. Therefore, we compare the SSR changes in the patients with depression, mania and healthy persons. The patients with depression and mania were chosen based on DSM IV criterion by the psychiatrist. In cross-sectional analytic study, control group was selcted away healthy men and women. The SSR was written by physiograph. The stimulat electrod was fixed on the middle finger of the left hand and 5 sympathetic responses were recored for every sample. The mean of amplitude, duration and latency time were computed and compared among three groups. The mean of latency in control, mania and depressed groups were not statistically difference [p=.8]. There were no difference between mean of duration in latency time in three groups. The mean of amplitude were not significant in three groups. It seems hypothalamus has not direct effect balance of sympathy skin responses

Comparison effect of drug therapy and drug-cognitive therapy on decreasing depression in women with breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of all cancer in women. In this study form various methods for treatment of depression due cancer. This study conducted for comparison drug therapy and drug-cognitive therapy on decreasing depression, effect of drug and cognitive theray on decreasing depression. This is a clinical trial study. Form patient refered to oncology clinic and ward of vali-e-Asr hospital 78 women were selected by simple sampling. Based on Beck depression test, 42 of them had depression. They randomly divided to case and control groups. Both groups received antideresant drug as usual. But case group had also cognitive- drug therapy. Afrer 6 Month treatment both group were tested again for depression. Data was analyzed by spss using independent and paired t tests. The mean depression score hadnot signigiant difference between case and control grops beor and after treatment. The mean depression score in control group had no significant deference before and after treatment the mean depression score in the case group was significantly different after treatment [p < 0.05]. The mean score of depression in control group was more than case group after treatment. In the present study cognitive therapy cause a significant decrease in depression score of case group

Association between major depressive disorder and serum cholesterol level

Nowadays, depression is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders and is a prevalent mood disorder. Recently researches about depression etiology, show that in addition to different neurotransmitters and life events, internal stressors such as serum cholesterol, triglyceride and some coagulation factors can have an effect. This study was focused on the relationship between major depressive disorder and serum cholesterol level. This research is a case control study that was performed in the year 2006. Case group were 62 patients referred to Hashemi Senejani psychiatric medical center and control group were chosen from ENT ward patients of Amir-Kabir hospital. Both groups were paired match for age, gender and education. In order to determine serum cholesterol level, 5[cc] blood sample was taken of each person from both groups. Data was analyzed using K-S and Mann-Witheny U tests. The mean age of samples was 35.5 +/- 9.9 years. 77% were female, 67.2% married, 25.8% single and 6.5% divorced. Average serum cholesterol level in case group [215.6 +/- 47.6 mg/dl] in comparison to control group [183.1 +/- 31.2 mg/dl] was significantly higher [p<0.05]. Regarding the results, it seems that serum cholesterol is an internal stressor for depressive disorder so everyone with high serum cholesterol level must be evaluated for depressive disorder

Students points of view regarding effective factors in establishing communication between students and faculty members

In order to improve the educational process, it is highly important to recognize effective factors in establishing communication between students and faculty member. This study was performed to determine students' points of view concerning such factors. In this descriptive-cross sectional study, 162 students from Arak Medical University were selected through stratified sampling method in 2004-2005. A questionnaire consisting of two parts demographic data and 23 questions related to the assessment of effective factors in establishing communication between students and faculty was used. The scale of the questionnaire was a four point scale ranging from "very effective" to "having no effect". Data was analyzed by SPSS software using frequency distribution, mean and standard deviation. The groups' comparison was made by chi2. The most effective factors in establishing communication, according to students' views, respectively were faculty member's rhetoric and teaching skills [84%], his knowledge [81.5%], his experience [76.5%], and his moral behavior [68.5%], while more than 50% of students indicated that faculty member's age and sex, had no effect in this communication. Some educational features of faculty member which reflect his teaching skills and proficiency, and some of his personal and behavioral characteristics revealing his social communication, are effective in establishing communication. It is highly recommended to conduct workshops for improving this communication

[ comparative study on opium withdrawal of buprenorphine and clonidine]

Opium abuse and addiction is a worldwide problem and application of a method, both cost effective and with less side effect, to shorten the opioid detoxification period is on increasing demand. To compare the efficacy of Buprenorphine and Clonidine in treatment of opium withdrawal. This study was a randomized, double blind, parallel group, clinical trial performed on out-patients referred to either psychiatric ward at Amirkabir hospital or private clinics in 2005. The patients, initially divided into two groups of 38 members, were assessed for both the efficacy and side effects. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistical tests, K[2] test, and also the correlation severity by relative risk analysis [R.R]. Thirty six [94.8%] subjects in Buprenorphine group and 32 [84.3%] in clonidine group completed the detoxification program, successfully. Relapses were observed in 2 and 6 cases of Buprenorphine and Clonidine groups, respectively. The difference was statistically insignificant [p= 0.13]. The side effects including hypotension, headache, sedation, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, and constipation during the 10-day detoxification periods in Clonidine group was more severe and intolerable than in Buprenorphine group. Conversely, the sweating, as another side effect, was found to be more pronounced in Buprenorphine group than in Clonidine group. Buprenorphine and Clonidine showed similar effects in managing opium withdrawal, yet the withdrawal symptoms of opium was found to be more tolerable with Buprenorphine than Clonidine. Also, less side effects were observed with Buprenorphine

[ relation of HbA1C Levels and Major depression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, referring to endocrine clinic of Arak]

Depression is one of the most common affective disorders, and in addition to different neurotransmitters and life events, various internal stressors such as blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and other factors are responsible for it. Considering hyperglycemia as a possible risk factor of this disorder and inconsistency in results of previous studies, we decided to assess the relationship between different levels of HbA1C and Major depression. This is a cross-sectional analythical study that is carried out on 134 samples. They were chosen randomly among patients with type2 diabetes referring to Vali-e-Asr hospital. The patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of their HbA1C test results; patients with HbA1C less than 7% [group A], consisting 55 persons and patients with HbA1C more than 7% and equal to it [group B], including 79 persons. Participants were assessed by Hamilton scale of depression. The relation between HbA1C levels and major depression in these 2 groups was assessed using Chi2 and Mann Whitney U tests. We found that 40% of depressed patients had HbA1C level lower than 7% and 60% of them had HbA1C level higher than 7%. No significant correlation was found between HbA1C and major depression. But the duration of disease, using Insulin and being hypertensive simultaneously was correlated to major depression in this study. This study indicates that uncontrolled diabetes and high level of blood glucose is cosidered of less importance as an undelying mechanism of depression in patients with type 2 diabetes

[ effect of clinical research center, on clinical researches of Arak University of medical science]

Performing correct research in different aspects of community as well as medical sciences can be a way to resolve many problems. In order to create a systematic knowledge of research method in academic members of Arak University of medical science and enabling them in providing proposals and performing researches, a clinical research center was developed. This study is done to investigate the effect of this center on improving clinical researches in the University. This is a HSR, before and after, interventional study in which, clinical academic members of Arak University of medical science were evaluated. First the information of the pre intervention period was gathered [jan2002-jan2004]. Then the intervention was done in the form of development a research center in Vali-Asr hospital, performing serial research workshops, research conferences, research consultations and planning data bases during a 2 years period. Again data was gathered and then compared to those of pre intervention period. The comparison of pre and post intervention periods showed that in pre intervention period from 38 proposals 30 and in post intervention period from 89 proposals 76 were approved by research committee of the University. In the two pre and post intervention periods 14 [46.6%] and 50 [65.8%] of accepted proposals were clinical respectively. Also from the view point of quality, 11 and 15 proposals were HSR, 2 and 22 clinical trials and 8 and 8 descriptive, respectively. The number of published articles in first period was 45 and in second 84. Presented articles in internal and external congresses were 33 and 59 in the two periods overally, which 25 and 51 articles were presented in the country and 8 and 8 in abroad congresses, respectively. Regarding the results it seems developing research center in this University and other similar Universities can have a significant effect on the process of clinical researches

[Incidence of anemia in pregnancy and its relationship with maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcome]

Anemia is a common finding among pregnant women, and it could cause a number of complications for both mother and fetus. In this case - control study, 302 pregnant women among patients referred to prenatal clinic of Mirza Kochak Khan Hospital were randomly chosen and were divided into anemic and normal groups based on their hemoglobin [Hb] level. Patients with Hb<11g/dl during the first or third trimester as well as those with Hb<10.5g/dl in the second trimester were considered anemic. Anemic patients were treated and pregnancy outcomes of two groups, including birth weight of the newborns, prematurity, stillbirth and abortion, were compared. Overall prevalence of anemia during pregnancy was 8.6%. The prevalence of anemia in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy were 10.3%, 3.5% and 12.7%, respectively. The frequency of anemia had a positive correlation with maternal age, gravidity and parity; however it was less frequent in patients taking iron supplements. There was no significant difference in pregnancy outcome of normal and treated anemic woman. Growth retardation was more frequent in treated anemic patients but only in women who were diagnosed in third trimester. The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women is noticeable, and with the iron deficiency as the most common cause, we recommend administration of iron supplements for prevention of anemia and its maternal and fetal consequences. Treatment of anemia in early stages of pregnancy results in normal pregnancy outcome, a finding emphasizing the importance of treatment