Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:21 Issue: 84, 2013

Adiponectin plays an important role in hyperglycemia, lipolysis, and inflammatory mechanisms. However, mechanisms responsible for the relationship between adiponectin and insulin resistance in response to exercise, still remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a six-week-long high intensity interval training (HIIT) on plasma adiponectin levels, insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, and β-cells function in sedentary young men. Eighteen students voluntarily participated in the study and were randomly divided into two groups: Experimental (n=9, age=24.33 ±1.41 yr, height=176.22 ±4.91 cm, weight=72.27 ±6.59 kg) and Control (n=9, age=23.27 ±2.01 yr, height=180.22 ±6.88 cm, weight=76.27 ±7.33 kg) groups. The test group performed three HIIT sessions per week for 6 weeks. Each session consisted of four to six repeats of maximal sprint running within a 20-m area with 30 s recoveries. Fasting blood samples were collected immediately before and after the exercise protocol. Data were analyzed by dependent and paired t-tests. The results indicates that while plasma adiponectin levels in the experimental group increased significantly (P= 0.047), there was a significant decrease in the percentage of body fat (P= 0.019). There were also a decrease in serum concentrations of insulin, fasting glucose and insulin resistance values as well as an increase amounts of insulin sensitivity and beta cells function. However, these changes were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Our findings show HIIT is a time efficient method for increasing adiponectin levels and reducing body fat. Also, the intensity of exercise as an important factor in the increase in adiponectin levels could be noted.

Backgrounds and Paraoxon as the active form of parathion is one of the most of organophosphates (OPs) used in agriculture. Some OPs are capable of producing free radicals and inducing disturbance in the body antioxidant systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of paraxaon on oxidative stress induction in the heart and spleen tissues in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (7 in each groups) as follows: control group received corn oil as paraoxon solvent, and the other three groups received different doses of paraxaon (0.3, 0.7, and 1mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. Animals were ether anesthesized 24 hours following the injection, their hearts and spleens were removed, and the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, and glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by biochemical methods. Our data indicate that at doses higher than 0.3 mg/kg of paraoxon, SOD and GST levels significantly increases in both the heart and spleen. While there was also an increased CAT activity observed in the heart, both CAT and GSH levels showed a decrease in the spleen. Finally, a decreased LDH activity and increased MDA level in the heart tissue were observed at 1mg/kg dose of paraoxon. Paraoxon induces the production of free radicals and oxidative stress in a dose- dependent manner. The heart tissue appears to be more sensitive to the effects of paraoxon on oxidative stress induction compared to the spleen.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Mammography is a sensitive and specific test that is used for early diagnosis of breast cancer. Mammography screening behavior is one of the behaviors that early study on its stage of change can be used in proper planning and effective interventions for performing mammography screening behavior. This study was done with the aim of determining mammography screening behavior stage of change among women aged 40 and older in Isfahan. In this descriptive population-based study, 384 women aged 40 and older were recruited by random sampling method in the city of Isfahan. Mammography screening behavior stage of change was determined by the Rakoweski stage of change questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using statistical chi-square and ANOVA at the significant level of α = 0.05. The mean age of the women was 52.24 ± 8.22 years. The results indicate that 36.2%, 21.1%, 4.2%, 6.2%, and 32.3% of the women studied were in the stages of Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, Action, Maintenance, and Relapse, respectively. The statistical analysis show that there were some significant correlationship between age (p<0.0001), education (p= 0.009), married status (p= 0.011), insurance status (p= 0.025) and income level (p= 0.009) with the stages of change. Our results demonstrate that the majority of subjects were in the pre-contemplation and contemplation stages, and that a low percentage of women were in the action and maintenance stages. Therefore, appropriate intervention based on stage of change for promotion of mammography screening behavior seems to be essential.

Transient global cerebral ischemia leads to neuronal damage in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex which results in learning and memory impairment. Exercise preconditioning helps with neuroprotection against cerebral injuries induced by ischemia. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of exercise preconditioning on tactile learning following global cerebral ischemia in rats.

A total of 50 male wistar rats weighing 250-300g were divided into 5 experimental groups. Exercise was performed on a treadmill and animals ran with the speed of 18 m/s for 30 minutes, 5 days per week for 3 weeks. Ischemia was induced by a four-vessel occlusion (vertebral and common carotid arteries) method. Tactile memory was assessed using a novel object recognition task.

Frequency of visits to a familiar object increased in the ischemia group (48 ± 9.4 Hz) compared to the control (22.8 ± 2.7 Hz). Also discrimination index decreased in the ischemia group (39.8 ± 1.6%) compared to the sham (60.2 ± 2.8%). Exercise preconditioning improved this index in the ischemic animals (57.3 ±6.6%).

Transient cerebral ischemia can impair tactile learning and exercise preconditioning can prevent this deficit in the ischemic rats.

Backgrounds and Stereoacuity is due to a relative difference between images because of retinal disparity. Measurment of stereoacuity is important for diagnosis and treatment of binocular anomalies and noerological problems. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of induced heterophoria by base-out and base-in prisms on distance stereopsis by the Three Needle Test. This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 50 normal persons in the Optometry Clinic at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during 2012. After primary examination, distance heterophoria was determined by cover test and prism bar. All subjects were orthophoric and had a maximum corrected vision of 66. Esophoria and exophoria were induced using prisms dioptres of 2, 4, 6, and 8 base-in and base-out. The stereopsis was then determined by the Three Needle test in distance observation of 6 meters in orthophoric, esophoric, and exophoric states. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Comparison between mean stereopsis in orthophoric and induced esophoric states was only statistically significant in 4 prism dioptres (P=0.006). However, comparison of mean stereopsis in orthophoric with induced exophoric states indicated statistically significant differences for all values of 2, 4, 6, and 8 prism dioptres (P=0.009, P<0.0001, P<0.0001and P<0.0001 respectively). Comparison between the mean stereopsis for the induced esophoric and exophoric states indicated statistically significant differences for 2, 4, and 6 prism dioptres. There is a reduction of stereopsis with induced heterophoria. Stereopsis seems to decrease more with induced esophoria than exophoria.

Hydatidosis is one of the most important zoonoses caused by larval stage of Echinococcus granulosous which is distributed worldwide. Determination of the parasite genotypes in relation to the host specificity and transmission routes is of great importance. So far, DNA based analysis of the isolates obtained from different host species has lead to identification of 10 different genotypes (G1-G10) in the world endemic areas. This work was designed to identify the genotypes of the hydatid cysts isolated from domestic animals and people in Zanjan. A total of 86 isolates, including 49 sheep, 28 cattle isolates collected from the slaughter houses, and 9 human isolates collected from hospitals were subjected to genotype analysis using PCR-RFLP of the ribosomal DNA ITS1 region. A fragment of about 1000 bp was amplified from all samples using ITS1 PCR. The endonuclease digestion of the PCR products resulted in the RFLP pattern that were the same for all isolates as the pattern expected for the sheep strain. The restriction patterns of all 4 enzymes used (Alu I, TaqI, RsaI, and Msp I), consistently approved the same genotype. The PCR RFLP pattern obtained from our samples were characterizes as E. granulosous sensu stricto, which is the same as what has been previously reported in Iran. It can be concluded that the hydatid cyst isolates in our study area, Zanjan, is basically similar to that of other endemic areas of Iran.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and joint disease and a major cause of disability among middle-aged and elderly people. The process of the progressive destruction of articular cartilage, causes pain and dysfunction of the joints involved. However, the main cause of this disease is not known. In several epidemiological studies from other countries, the problem was reported to be associated with cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to find the relationship between carotid artery atherosclerosis in elderly women and osteoarthritis of the joints. This cross-sectional study was done on 256 middle-aged and elderly women referred to the Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Zanjan. The patients were divided randomly into two groups of test and control following medical examination. The rate and severity of atherosclerosis and the presence or absence of atherosclerotic plaques were evaluated using Doppler Sono. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software. The mean values were subjected to student t-test and chi-square methods. Of the total of 256 women who participated (mean age 56.79 years) in the study, 30.8% of women with osteoarthritis and 17.5% of the normal groups had carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque (P=0.009 OR=2.1). Even after normalization for age, osteoarthritis was still considered a risk factor for the carotid plaque. The mean carotid artery intima-media thickness was 0.975 mm in the test group compared with 0.910 mm in the control group (P<0.0001). Our findings are consistent with the outcome of some previous studies reporting a significant relationship between osteoarthritis and atherosclerotic disease. A proper drug treatment to reduce the severity of atherosclerosis in order to prevent the progress of osteoarthritis is recommended.

The aim of this research was to study the correlation between daily stresses and coping styles with mental health in migraine headache patients. The research method was comparative-casual method. The sample consisted of 60 patients with migraine headaches (30 males and 30 females) as the test group, whom were matched for various criteria including age, educational status, and suffering from headache for at least a two year period. The control group consisted of 60 healthy school teachers (30 males and 30 female). The instruments included Lazarous–Folkman Coping Style, Holms-Rahe life stress, and General Health questionnaires. The data were analyzed with the logistic regression method. The results revealed that there was a significant difference between the test and control groups in daily stresses and coping styles (p<0.001). Furthermore, the rate of stresses in patients with migraine headache was significantly higher than the normal subjects. In addition, the rate of emotional styles in patients with migraine headache was higher than normal controls. There was a negative correlation between daily stresses, emotional styles, and mental health in patients with migraine headache.

Because of the importance of happiness in giving up substance abuse the aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between coping styles, negative automatic thoughts, and hope with happiness in the addicts referred to Ahvaz drug abuse rehabilitation centers. The study population comprised of 100 addicts whom were referred to Ahvaz drug abuse rehabilitation clinics during the year 2011. Participants were selected by convenience sampling method and response to the Parker and Andler coping styles, Miller hope scale, Oxford happiness inventory, and Kendall and Hollon negative automatic thought questionnaires. Our results indicate that there is a significant relationship between coping styles, negative automatic thoughts, and hope with happiness in the addicts. Regression analysis showed that predictive variables were able to predict 60% of happiness, with problem-oriented coping style and hope being the best predictors of happiness. Improving problem-oriented coping style and hope can play a great role in happiness and improving the rate of rehabilitation and recovery in addicts.

Identifying the complications of menopause and their related prevention method is necessary for every woman; an important task that is achievable through health care educations. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of education on the knowledge and attitude of post-menopausal women about menopausal symptoms and complications. In this semi-experimental study, 100 women in the age of 45-60 years old were randomly selected based on the target model. Prior to the educational programs, the knowledge and attitude of postmenopausal women about the symptoms and complications of menopause were collected. Then, the educational program was performed according to the Deputy Health Educational package, followed by a thorough evaluation carried out using questionnaires in the second test phase after two months of training. The resulted data were analyzed using SPSS software and paired T-test and one-sided variance methods at the significant level of p <0.05. There was a significant difference (p<0/001) between the amount of average knowledge before and after the training. Before the training, 11% of the individuals had a poor knowledge of the subject. While 88% of the women had a moderate knowledge, only 1% of them had a good understanding. By contrast, after the training, none of the subjects had a poor knowledge, and 73% and 27% of the individuals had gained a moderate and good knowledge respectively. In addition, there was a significant difference (p <0/001) between before and after the training periods. Prior to the education program, 7% of the individuals had negative and 59% had positive attitude. However, after the program, 80% of the individuals showed a positive attitude. The training of postmenopausal women results in an improvement in the level of their awareness, and could lead to significant changes in their attitudes toward the menopause. Thus, conducting the training programs is the best way to strengthen the scientific vigor, changing the attitudes and behavior of the postmenopausal women.

Energy and nutrient needs of pregnant women increase significantly during pregnancy. Continuing education on pregnancy diet and providing proper nutrition is necessary to promote the health of both mother and fetus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of antenatal preparation for childbirth courses on the pregnant women nutritional behavior. This was a clinical experimental study performed on 280 pregnant women expecting their first childs. They were randomly divided into the test and control groups. Women in the test group were trained both theoretically and practically for eighth 90-minute sessions. By contrast, those in the control group received routine care only. Data collection was conducted in two phases: pre- and post-test. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using chi-square and t-Test. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regards to age, body mass index (BMI), education level, age, and employment status. There was no significant difference in nutritional behavior between the two groups pre-intervention (P=0.238). However, following the intervention, the amount of nutritional behavior in the test group (38.12 +5.54) was significantly higher than the controls (29.12 +11.12), (P<0.0001). Our findings show that arragnement of pregnancy courses had a positive effect on mothers’ nutritional behavior. Thus, implementing this program as a continuous intervention for pregnant mothers is recommended.

The age of smoking is declining in the developed and developing countries. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of smoking stages in a sample of high school students in Zanjan and assessing its related risk factors. Among the high school students in the academic year 2011-2012, a sample size of 1,064 subjects was selected by random multistage sampling. Data was gathered through standard self administered questionnaire including questions about demographical, socio-economical, psychological characteristics, smoking behavior and familiarity with various drugs. Binary logistic regression was used for assessing relationship between smoking and related factors. Out of 354 (34.2%) students who reported smoking, 242 (23.4%) were classified as experimenters and 112 (10.8%) as regular smokers. The multivariate analysis by logistic regression shows that older age (OR=1.20), risk taking behaviors (OR=1.83), familiarity with Tramadol (OR=2.19), lower self-esteem (OR=1.07), positive attitude to smoking (OR=1.15), positive thinking about smoking (OR=1.07), and having friends who smoke (OR=1.94) associated with smoking. Results show that the prevalence of different stages of smoking among high school students in Zanjan is high compared to the studies with similar questionnaire reported from other provinces of Iran. Familiarity with Tramadol and having smoker friend/s had high association with smoking. More attention to the school base education may be effective in improvement of smoking control among high school students.