Gene and aging

Collection of multiple processes that increase the chronological age of an organism leading to death is defined as aging, and even though important, it is poorly understood. Recent research has shown that aging is due to biochemical and genetic changes, in interaction with environmental effects, including diet and nutrition. Most knowledge on aging is based on genetic model system, but its molecular mechanisms are still not very clear. Discoveries in molecular biology have made way to look for candidate genes influencing lifespan. Furthermore, new investigations have stressed on the roles of mitochondria as the major generators and direct targets of reactive oxygen species. This paper reviews some recent literature on genes and aging in model system, then discusses the role of mitochondria and nutrients in human aging

[Measuring and comparing social capital components of members and non-members of rural production cooperatives]

This study is to analyze which factors of social capital are more effective than others to ease and accelerate cooperation among members of Rural Production Cooperative in order to implement rural developmental programs in Mazandaran province of Iran. This was a descriptive- correlation study is a survey type. The population in the study consisted of 5746 farmers in Mazandaran province, By a proportional stratified random sampling technique, 362 farmers of the population were chosen as our sample. A questionnaire was designed to gather data needed for the study. The finding of this study indicates that, there was a significant difference between members and non- members regarding bridging social capital components. Exchange of information between communities, trust to institutions,-measure of awareness and formal relationship networks were the most important factors that distinguish two groups and make 71.2% of population distinctive. This research shows that Members of Rural Production Cooperative have more bridging social capital than non-members

Aging coefficient in different religious groups in Iran

Aging Coefficient [AC], or aged'child ratio, is the number of individuals aged 65 years and over, divided by the number of individuals aged 0-14, multiplied by 100. In this point'descriptive study, the aging coefficient has been calculated for the followers of four different religions, for the past four respective decades, according to sex and locality. Overall age composition in different religious groups, in a decreasing order is: Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians showed a slight decrease in the 80's and a higher increase afterward. Moslems show a more consistent mode, but with a slight increase in the last decade; but in all cases AC has been lower than 15, presenting a higher proportion of a young population or lower aged group. The increase of AC in each group can be caused by the old age survival, i.e. increasing life expectancy, or decreasing birth rate

Ivestigation of prevalence of beta thialassemia in Iranian provinces

14,849 affected cases of beta thalassemia have been registered in 1995 in all provinces of Iran. It is estimated that there are about three million carriers in Iran. The provincial distributions of the affected cases show that the highest incidence in 100 thousand individuals was in Mazandaran [71.29] and Gilan [57.61], respectively, both near the Caspian sea [north], followed by Hormozgan [50.22], Khouzestan [48.79], Kohkiluyeh and Boyr-Ahmad [48.42], Fars [47 20] [south] and the lowest in the north eastern province, Khorassan [1.23] followed by east and west Azerbaijan [2.21, 2.91] in the north west of Iran