[ frequency of depression and related factors among the medical and paramedical students of Mashhad Islamic Azad university during year 2007-2008]

Depression is an important issue among the university students. It affects their educational performances and decreases their progress in academic achievements. Thus, it is important to detect the causes and relating factors of depression among university students. In this study we intended to evaluate the frequency of depression and it's relating factors among medical and paramedical students of Mashhad Islamic Azad University. This research is a descriptive-analytic study that has been done on 780 medical and Paramedical students of Mashhad Islamic Azad University. The sampling method adopted for the study was a clustering probability method. As for the instruments, a questionnaire including two sections was used. Section one consisted of demographic information and section two was Beck Depression Inventory with 21 questions for determining the level of depression. The collected data were then analyzed using Maan Whitney, kruskal Wallis and Chi-Square methods. 28.6% of the subjects showed various degrees of depression. 14.6% had clinical depression. The most frequent rate of depression was observed among the students of the School of Hygiene while the students of Medicine rated the lowest [23.7%]. There were positive associations between depression and gender, field of study, satisfaction with the field of study, section of study, marital status, site of life and father's income [P=0.001]. The findings show high frequency of depression among medical and paramedical students of Mashhad Islamic Azad University. Also they reveal negative influences of some factors on depression. Thus, it seems crucial to develop some preventive programs and complementary researches on causes and relating factors of depression

[Role of pinna cartilage autograft on long bone healing in dog: radiographic and biomechanical studies]

To evaluate the feasibility of pinna cartilage autograft in healing of long bone defects in dogs. Experimental study. Mid-diaphyseal region of the right radial bone of ten Mongrel dogs of both sexes with average weight of 29 +/- 2.4 kg, which were randomly assigned to either control [n=5] or experimental group [n=5]. Creation of a bone gap at the mid-diaphyseal region of the right radius in each dog followed by cosmetic ear trimming. Insetion of a piece of pinna cartilage within the bone defect in experimental group was done and postoperative lameness scored. Radiographic evaluation in two views every 2 weeks for 70 days was performed. The dogs were euthanized after 70 days and their operated and intact radial bones were subjected to bending test. Repeated measures ANOVA and independent t-test were done for callus index measurements. Results of lameness scores were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis test. Lameness scores were statistically improved in experimental group by the time, as compared with control group. Callus index was statistically greater in experimental group at 28, 42,56 and 70 days after surgery than the previous days. [P<0.05]. Biomechanical quality [maximum load, elastic modulus, and maximum bending moment] enhanced in the operated bones of experimental group. The results of this study revealed that pinna cartilage in dogs may be used as an available chondrocyte-rich autograft to enhance bone healing process in fractures at risk to enhance bone healing process in fractures at risk of delayed or non-union treatment of both conditions, and in bone defects