فهرست مطالب

Thrita - Volume:1 Issue: 1, Sep 2012

Thrita
Volume:1 Issue: 1, Sep 2012

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1390/10/11
  • تعداد عناوین: 5
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  • Arsia Jamali, Fatemeh Adili Aghdam, Kiana Hassanpour, Kamyar Mollazadeh Moghaddam Pages 8-12
    Background
    It is widely acknowledged that research is crucial for development of countries. Despite various studies on the benefits of research, there is no fresh study about students’ familiarity with principles of research methodology in developing countries.
    Objectives
    In this study, we aim to assess undergraduate medical students’ knowledge in principles of research methodology and its contributing factors.
    Materials And Methods
    In this cross sectional study, we investigated 65 randomly selected students who were in their basic science stage of medical studies at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2010. To determine knowledge about principles of research, participants filled a validated and reliable questionnaire. The characteristic information of the students and their answers to ten questions on research principles were collected. Linear regression models were applied to predict the score of knowledge of the participants.
    Results
    Median age of participants was 19 ranging from 17-21. 15 (25%) of participants were male and 45 (75%) were female. 45 (75%) of participants had not attended Students’ Scientific Research Center (SSRC) research methodology workshop. The mean of knowledge score was 6.99 ± 3.23 (out of 20). We observed no significant difference in knowledge of the students and also participation in SSRC research methodology workshop between two genders (P = 0.75 and 0.86, respectively). Linear regression model showed participation in research methodology workshop independently predicts 59% of variance of students’ knowledge about principles of research methodology and adding students’ semester to the model increases the prediction to 70%.
    Conclusions
    Despite limitations of this study, our findings highlight low to moderate level of knowledge of undergraduate medical students in principles of research methodology and the important impact of research methodology workshops..
    Keywords: Knowledge, Education, Students, Medical, Research, Methods
  • Azita Kouchmeshky, Seyed Behnamedin Jameie, Gholamreza Amin, Seyed Ali Ziai Pages 13-23
    Background
    Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used widely in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. These inhibitors such as captopril and enalapril are derived from natural products.
    Materials And Methods
    In the present study 135 plants used in Traditional Persian Medicine have been investigated for their angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. They were selected on the basis of their usage as antihypertensive, cardiotonics & diuretics. Dried powdered plant material was extracted with mix solution of water and ethanol in ultrasonic bath. The extracts were filtered and concentrated in vacuum except for the water extracts, which were freeze-dried. Test solutions were made by dissolving extract in assay buffer, corresponding to a final concentration of 0.33 mg of crude plant extract in 1 ml test volume. Enzyme assay was performed by HPLC method. Plants exhibiting inhibition levels with more than 50% were further tested for the presence of tannins in order to eliminate possible false positives.
    Results
    In total, 52 Species out of the 135 (39%) screened, gave more than 50% ACE inhibition. Forty Species were found to possess a high ACE inhibiting ability and were low in their tannin content.
    Conclusions
    Traditional medicine based on certain plants could be of beneficial effects in hypertension treatment.
    Keywords: Medicine, Traditional, Hypertension, Angiotensin, Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Tannins, Plants, Medicinal
  • Maryam Mohsenikia, Babak Hajipour, Mohammad Hossein Somi, Ali Khodadadi, Mehran Noori Pages 24-26
    Background
    Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an important immunosuppressive agent; however, its clinical use is limited by several side effects such as hepatotoxicity. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a very important and powerful antioxidant and protects membranes against oxidation.
    Objectives
    The aim of this study was to study protective role of vitamin C against CSA-induced hepatotoxicity.
    Materials And Methods
    Thirty male Wister strain rats weighting 230-260g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10): group A was the control group and received placebo (Normal Saline), group B was the CSA-treated group and received 15mg/kg/day CsA for 21 days, group C was the CsA + vitamin C group and was received 200mg/kg/day vitamin C orally 3 hours before receiving 15mg/kg/day CsA. On 22th day rats serum obtained for measuring biochemical factors including bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein, and albumin.
    Results
    Bilirubin, ALT, AST, triglyceride, ALP, and LDH levels were lower in CsA + ascorbic acid group than that of CsA group (P < 0.05) while plasma total protein and albumin were significantly higher in CsA + ascorbic acid group than that of CsA group (P < 0.05).
    Keywords: Cyclosporine, Ascorbic Acid, Drug, Induced Liver Injury
  • Zahra Kiasalari, Mehrdad Roghani, Mohsen Khalili, Samaneh Shafii Pages 27-29
    Background
    Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease with the prevalence of around one percent. Despite the introductions of several anti-epileptic drugs, around 1/3 of epileptic patients are resistant to the anti-epileptic medications. Considering the evidence regarding the anti-oxidant action of Vitamin E and its beneficiary effect in the treatment of epilepsy, we investigated the anti-convulsive effect of Vitamin E in a rat model of kainic acid-induced epilepsy.
    Materials And Methods
    Forty male rats were divided to five groups (sham, Vit E, epileptic, epileptic treated with Vit E and epileptic treated with valproic acid). Epilepsy was induced by intra hippocampal injection of 4 microgram of kainic acid. Rats receiving daily intraperitoneal injections of Vit E (100 mg/kg) or valproic acid (200 mg/kg) in the week preceding the surgery. Intensity of epileptic convulsions was graded using Racine’s criteria.
    Results
    No convulsions were observed in the sham-Vit E groups. Widespread convulsions were observed in the kainic acid-treated group. Intensity of convulsions were significantly reduced in the epileptic rats receiving either Vit E or valproic acid (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively).
    Conclusions
    Pre-treatment with Vit E decreases the convulsion intensity in kainic acid-induced epilepsy in rats.
    Keywords: Vitamin E Valproic acid_Epilepsy_temporal lobe_Convulsion_Anticonvulsants
  • Hossein Zabihi Mahmood, Abadi, Mohammad Kayhani, Mohammad Rabi, Mohammad Reza Mohammadi Pages 30-33
    Background
    Non-diagnosed depression might postpone the physical healing of patients and negatively affects prognosis. The rate of major depressive disorder among patients of general practitioners in the United States reaches 10 percent and among patients admitted to the inner wards reaches 15 percent.Patients and
    Methods
    A cross sectional study on physician of two hospitals was performed. A questioner was designed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of non-psychiatrist physicians towards depression treatment.
    Results
    Non-Physiatrist physicians’ score in knowledge and attitude was 6.7 and 103.75, respectively. Gender and the area of specialization of the physicians had no significant effect on their knowledge, attitude and medical treatment methods applied by them.
    Conclusions
    The study highlights a low level of knowledge of physicians about depression. Further studies are paramount to assess the efficacy of interventions applied to improve current situation.
    Keywords: Depressive disorder, major, Physicians, Knowledge, Attitude