[Factor analysis of social capital questionnaire used in urban heart study in Tehran]

Social capital composed of networks, norms and values, which facilitates cooperation within and between groups to achieve mutual benefits and common goals. Social capital increases the benefits of investing in physical and human capital. In a society that favors more social capital, collaboration is easier. This study investigates the validity and reliability of a social capital tool, which had been administered through a large population-based survey using factor analysis. Data were obtained from Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool [Urban HEART-1] survey in Tehran. Factor analysis is a method of discovering structural position of variables to reduce them into a limited number of components which are more fundamental. The reliability of the questionnaire and main components of the tool were investigated through factor analysis. According to factor analysis, three main components of social capital including, individual trust, cohesion/ social support and social trust/associative relations, were recognized. These three components explained 66.14% of total variance of the social capital tool. Also, overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.88 which indicates high reliability of the questionnaire. Social capital tool, which was administered in Urban HEART project, covers the main components of social capital framework with high reliability and validity, which is suitable to be used in other population-based surveys

[ study of the therapeutic effects of CpG oligonucleotides in Murine model of allergic asthma]

Augmentation of Th2 mediated responses such as elevation of serum IgE is the characteristic feature in atopy and asthma. CpG oligonucleotides [CpG ODN] have been used during the recent two decades as the potent immunomodulatory agents in allergic conditions. In this paper, we aim to report the anti-inflammatory effects of CpG ODN in murine model of asthma. In this study, BALB/c mice were sensitized with ch.a. allergen and then treated intranasally with CpG ODN. Following the challenge with allergen inhalation, mice were sacrificed and their splenocytes were cultured in the presence of antigen. After three days of culture, supernatants were examined for IFN-gamma levels by ELISA method, as an indication of Th1 response, and the results were compared with those in control mice without CpG therapy. The results indicate that the mice in the test group, which received CpG ODN, showed higher levels of systemic INF-gamma, and lower levels of serum IgE compared with either the antigen or CpG negative ODN-treated groups. Based on the results of this study, which shows higher INF-gamma levels in mice received CpG ODN, it can be concluded that CpG motifs have immune response modulation potential apparently through the deviation of Th2 into Th1 responses, which lead to a decrease in IgE antibody level. Accordingly, we suggest that these components can have therapeutic effects in the asthma caused by ch.a. allergen

[Social capital in Iran: current status, prospect, and feasibility]

By Social capital we mean a network of inter-personal and inter-group relationships and ties based on social trust. Such a network also includes interactions of individuals with groups and social institutions which enjoy solidarity and collective cohesion, and within which individuals and groups maintain social support and the necessary energy. These qualities are required in order to facilitate actions oriented toward achieving personal and collective objectives. The above description summarizes the main subject of this paper. Iran is a society in transition, a society which faces the decline of social capital and its negative consequences. The erosion, or decline, of social capital in Iran, and its accompanying negative consequences necessitate an attempt geared toward portraying a possible future perspective of it, and also of studying the feasibility of transition from status quo to a desirable situation. This paper initially reviews the existing theoretical approaches and empirical sources pertaining to social capital. Then, social capital is discussed as a complex and multi-dimensional concept within an integrative conceptual framework which is related to an interrelated set of macro, med, and micro variables. It then introduces a multidimensional scale for measurement of social capital. This scale is provided with the necessary requirements of validity and reliability. The statistical society consists of inhabitants of 15 years of age and above, residing in centers of 30 provinces of the country out of which 12000 persons were selected through multistage cluster sampling method. The questionnaire has been the main data collection technique in this research. Data analysis has been conducted through simple and complex qualitative and quantitative techniques. Given the components included in the five-dimensional measurement scale, quality and quantity of social capital, particularly at the associative network level, is low Thc dominant type of social capital is of an in-group and the old one, and its implications in terms of human and social development, including universalism and universal collective cohesion are low. But at a micro level, such as feelings of health, success satisfaction and joyfulness its rating is relatively high. The current state of social capital in Iran is low in rating, the old type is dominant over the new one, and there is a negative role the dominant type plays in hindering the formation of social solidarity at the national level. Therefore, it seems necessary to reinforce the new type of social capital specially in the dimension of associative ties and the positive outcomes which these ties provide via modification and Improvement of the social milieu and of individual and collective actors, the strengthening of civil institutions, and in reform it brings about through modifying and broadening the individuals' attitudes and patterns of their actions

[Conceptual framework and conceptualization of social capital

This paper introduces the concept and main ideas presented by scholars concerning social capital. This paper only intends to serve as a platform based upon which discussions about key concepts, core elements, and current debates surrounding social capital may be presented. Moreover, it should be viewed as an attempt at introducing the ways in which. Conceptualization of social capital has been carried out. The main premise of social capital is the fact that social relationships of various nature should be regarded as valuable assets that can be used for material gains and other benefits. The paper also shows that social capital far from being clear, well defined or understood, has been used in so many ways leading to confusion with negative consequences. This justifies a review of various attempts at conceptualization of social capital. At the end issues such as determinants, sources, benefits and dimensions of social capital however briefly are reviewed

[Social participation as a component of social capital]

We will try to put the theory of social capital under an experimental test as the dominant fact in society and also ask the question: is this theoretical approach able to explain the existing fact in the field of social participation in Iran or not?. The analyzing method is a combination of library and field method, which in field study, citizen's population of ages 15 to the upper, inhibited in Tehran were examined with the use of Kokeran formula, and 653 samples were selected among them. The data collected and analyzed with the use of questionnaire and with SPSS software and the use of descriptive and inferential statistical methods. social participation as one of the component of social capital, in ultimate analyze, is favorable in micro level but because of unsuitable fields in macro level, such as centralization, pessimism about the government's functions and..., we can not expect the formation of social participation among people we can not see reliability between citizens and the government's system, and this point, caused the objective aspect of social capital not to form, social interaction, and finally social participation as one component of social participation, won't be accomplished