Comparison of static and dynamic resistance exercise effects on some functional cardiovascular indices, plasma lactate and peripheral blood leukocytes in healthy untrained women

زمینه و هدف: با توجه به نتایج متناقض مرتبط با پاسخ‌های قلبی– عروقی و التهابی ناشی از انواع فعالیت‌های مقاومتی، تحقیق حاضر به منظور مقایسه‌ی اثرات یک مرحله تمرین مقاومتی ایستا و پویا بر برخی شاخص‌های عمکردی قلبی- عروقی، لاکتات پلاسما و لکوسیت‌های خون محیطی زنان غیرورزشکار انجام شد. روش بررسی: در قالب یک طرح نیمه تجربی، 20 زن غیر ورزشکار سالم داوطلب (با دامنه‌ی سنی 25-20 سال و شاخص توده‌ی بدنی 25-20 کیلوگرم/ متر مربع) در دو گروه تصادفی همگن فعالیت مقاومتی وامانده ساز پرس پای ایستا (با 40 انقباض ارادی بیشینه) یا پویا (با 45 الی 55 تکرار با 40 یک تکرار بیشینه) شرکت داشتند. ضربان قلب، فشار خون و حاصل ضرب ضربان در فشار به همراه لاکتات پلاسما و تعداد لکوسیت‌های خون محیطی قبل و بلافاصله پس از فعالیت‌های مقاومتی تعیین شد. داده‌های حاصله با استفاده از آزمون‌های تی همبسته و مستقل بررسی شد. یافته‌ها: ضربان قلب، فشار خون و حاصل ضرب ضربان در فشار به همراه لاکتات پلاسما و تعداد لکوسیت‌های خون محیطی پس از هر دو نوع فعالیت مقاومتی به طور معنی‌داری افزایش پیدا ‌کرد (05/0>P). به ‌علاوه، دامنه‌ی تغییرات ضربان قلب، حاصل ضرب ضربان در فشار، لاکتات پلاسما و تعداد لکوسیت‌های خون محیطی گروه ایستا (همه موارد به جزفشار خون سیستولی) به طور معنی‌داری بالاتر از گروه پویا بود (05/0>P). نتیجه‌گیری: تغییرات نامطلوب شاخص‌های عملکردی قلبی- عروقی، خستگی (لاکتات پلاسما) و التهابی (تعداد لکوسیت‌های خون محیطی) پس از انجام فعالیت‌های مقاومتی ایستا بالاتر از پویاست. بنابراین، فعالیت‌ مقاومتی پویا برای توسعه‌ی قدرت و استقامت عضلانی زنان غیر ورزشکار مناسبت‌تر از فعالیت مقاومتی ایستاست

Instructional Strategies for Motivating and Engraining Generation Z Students in Their Own Learning Process

In the last few years, a number of significant research studies were conducted focusing on identifying and determining the root cause and also factors that critically contribute to students failure and success in higher education. These studies have enabled educators to evaluate the underlying causes by analyzing different perspectives presented by students, faculty and academic leaders. Various studies were conducted and published in the past that have addressed the same issue. For example, in three related studies conducted and presented at the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) conference in Chicago, Illinois, the surveyed participants (students, faculty, and academic leaders) provided concrete root-cause factors for student’s failure at college and university level. Student’s academic readiness, self-motivation, study habits, and students attitude towards education were the most mentioned root-causes by both, faculty and academic leaders (Appendix 1). During the studies, all participants agreed upon the fact that in order to succeed, students should have clear mindsets and should be aware of the reasons and requirements they will need to meet in order to enroll in a specific course. They should be thoroughly aware of their purpose for attending a school beyond just getting passing grades and a degree to get jobs.   However, all three surveyed groups strongly believe that it is not only the student’s responsibility, but also the responsibility of instructors and college administration to keep students motivated after admitting them to their colleges, programs, and courses (Cherif, Movahedzadeh, Adams, Martyn 2013; 2014; 2015).  In this paper, we explore the implementation of some proposed recommendations from various research studies for improving students learning and instructors teaching in a classroom setting. Keywords: Modern students, Motivations; Student academic performance and retention, Student success. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-3-0

The relationship of spiritual intelligence factors and tendency to addiction and Its comparison between girls and boys students

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objectives: Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by individual, physiological and social dysfunction.  Spiritual Intelligence is the ability to experience Situations that allow individuals to achieve greater knowledge and understanding and providing Grounds in life the to achieve perfection and progress.Spiritual intelligence effects tendency to high-risk behaviors as addiction. Present study aimed to determine the relationship of spiritual intelligence factors and tendency to addiction on girls and boys students. Materials and Methods: in this study, 100 students were selected among students of Kashan university using multiple cluster sampling. Methodology was correlation. Data were collected by questionnaires of spiritual intelligence and tendency to addiction and were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multi variable regression. Results: results indicated that there was significant relationship between the factors of understanding and communication with source and spiritual life with tendency to addiction (P<0/01). This relationship wasn’t different between girls and boys students. In addition, results showed that understanding and communication with source and spiritual life can predict tendency to addiction) P<0/01( Conclusion: The results provide some evidence that the factors of spiritual intelligence can predict part of changes of tendency to addiction. Therefore, in order to decrease the tendency of individuals to addiction suggested that their spiritual ability have been enhanced by doing cultural- educational packages. Keywords: spiritual intelligence, communication with source, spiritual life, tendency to addictionFor downloading the full-text of this article please click here

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been associated with cardiac disease, including anatomical or functional disturbance to the heart. Cardiomyopathy (CMP) is one of these disturbances that have been associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. In this review article, several aspects of potential relationships between HIV infection and cardiomyopathy development have been issued. Most studies indicated increased prevalence, incidence and mortality rates for CMP in the HIV infected patients, especially in more advanced grades of the infection. CD4 cell count has been shown to be associated with both incidence and outcome of HIV-related CMP. In children, also similar findings have been observed with high incidence and mortality rates associated with CMP-HIV have been observed. However, prepartum CMP burden in HIV infected mothers was not different than that in HIV-negative ones. However, evidence about the effects of ART on the development and progression of HIV-related CMP was very controversial. While is some studies, no associations have been found in some others, ART has been associated with either a better or worse disease incidence or condition. We propose more studies with prospective approach and large patient populations to be conducted for better understanding of the effects of different ART agents on the incidence and outcome of HIV-related CMP

The normoglycemic first-degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have low circulating omentin-1 and adiponectin levels

Objective: It has been suggested that adipose-derived cytokines act as insulin sensitizers/insulin-mimetics and some others may induce insulin resistance. In order to elucidate the potential role of novel adipocytokines in the pre-diabetes states, circulating levels of novel adipocytokines were evaluated in first-degree relatives of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (FDRs). Method: Serum omentin-1, adiponectin and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels were measured in 179 subjects (90 glucose tolerant FDRs and 89 age- and sex-matched healthy controls) using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding serum RBP4 concentrations. However, serum omentin-1 (median [interquartile range], 6.18 [4.06–11.52] ng/ml versus 10.50 [4.30– 20.60] ng/ml, p = 0.004) and adiponectin (mean ± SD, 10.07 ± 4.0 lg/ml versus 20.66 ± 8.12 lg/ml, p < 0.0001) levels were significantly lower in FDRs when compared with the controls. In multiple logistic regression analysis, FDRs showed a significant association with lower circulating omentin-1 and adiponectin levels, even after adjustments were made for age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure measures, and biochemical parameters including glucose status, lipid profile, insulin levels and HOMA-IR (OR = 0.49, CI [0.30–0.79]; p = 0.004 and OR = 0.74, CI [0.67–0.82]; p < 0.0001, respectively). However, FDRs did not show a significant association with serum RBP4 levels in different models of regression analyses. Conclusions: The FDRs showed significant associations with lower omentin-1 and adiponectin levels. A potential role for these adipokines in the FDRs’ increased risk of diabetes needs to be further elucidated

Ulnar dimelia variant: a case report

We report a case of ulnar dimelia, commonly called mirror hand, in a 2-month-old female child who had restriction of elbow flexion and forearm rotation. There was no facial or other internal organ malformation. Radiographs revealed seven triphalangeal digits with double ulnae (one following the other) and absent radius. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of this mirror hand deformity in which fingers are symmetrical while duplicated ulnae are not

Diagnostic Indicators of ECG for Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Currently, epicardial coronary angiography is still the only diagnostic tool for Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon (CSFP). This study aimed to systematically review studies that compared Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings between patients with and without CSFP. Methods: Using relevant key terms, we systematically searched MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science to find relevant studies up to February 5th, 2023. Effect sizes in each study were calculated as mean differences and crude odds ratio; then, random-effect models using inverse variance and Mantel-Haenszel methods were used to pool standardized mean differences (SMD) and crude odds ratios, respectively. Results: Thirty-two eligible articles with a total sample size of 3,937 patients (2,069 with CSFP) were included. CSFP patients had higher P-wave maximum (Pmax) (SMD: 1.02 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29 - 1.76); p=0.006) and P-dispersion (Pd) (SMD: 1.63 (95% CI: 0.99 - 2.27); p<0.001) compared to the control group. CSFP group also showed significantly longer QT wave maximum duration (SMD: 0.69 (95% CI: 0.33 - 1.06); p<0.001), uncorrected QTd (SMD: 1.89(95% CI: 0.67 - 3.11); p=0.002), and corrected dispersion (QTcd) (SMD: 1.63 (95% CI: 1.09 - 2.17), p<0.001). The frontal QRS-T angle was significantly higher in the CSFP group in comparison with the control group (SMD: 1.18 (95% CI: 0.31 - 2.04; p=0.007). While CSFP patients had a significantly higher T-peak to T-end (Tp-e) (SMD:1.71 (95% CI: 0.91, 2.52), p<0.001), no significant difference was noted between groups in terms of Tp-e to QT (p=0.16) and corrected QT ratios (p=0.07). Conclusion: Our findings suggest several ECG parameters, such as P max, Pd, QT, QTc, QTd, QTcd, Tp-e, and frontal QRS-T angle, may be prolonged in CSFP patients, and they could be employed as diagnostic indicators of CSFP before angiography

How does multiple sclerosis affect sexual satisfaction in patients' spouses?

BackgroundSexual dysfunction (SD) is a common complaint among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL) of afflicted couples. The purpose of this study was to determine sexual satisfaction (SS) in the spouses of MS patients and its impact on the QoL.MethodsA total of 214 spouses of MS patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. They completed the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire and SF-8 Health Survey.ResultsThe mean ± SD age of the spouses was 39.8 ± 9.7 years, and the duration of MS was 5 years or less in most of their partners. The mean ± SD score of QoL was 71.0 ± 20.3 (out of 100), and the mean SS score was 89.2 ± 18.6 (out of 125), showing moderate satisfaction. The highest score was among male spouses younger than 40 years old. The SS scores were also lower among female spouses. In the final model, it was found that SD, psychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairment, and the level of disability of patients were independent explanatory factors for the SS of their spouses.ConclusionThe findings supported the role of SS in the QoL of spouses of MS patients. Therefore, the attention of physicians to this hidden aspect of the life of MS patients is crucial

Endoscopic Findings and Histopathological Patterns of Gastric Mucosal Biopsies in Functional Dyspepsia: A Clinicopathological Study

Background: Endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract through macroscopic and histopathological evaluation provides a tool to differentiate the major causes of functional dyspepsia. The distinction is not always clear. This study aimed to assess the frequency and type of the macroscopic and histopathological changes in gastrointestinal tract endoscopy in patients with symptoms of functional dyspepsia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 97 patients aged 10–85 years who underwent gastroscopy due to functional dyspepsia symptoms. The patients had no history of weight loss, major comorbidities like diabetes or cirrhosis, non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption, peptic ulcer, or any other confounding causes. Biopsy specimens were taken from the stomach and duodenum for histopathological examination. The presence of Helicobacter pylori infection was established based on histopathological examination and a positive rapid urease test. Results: Gastric biopsies of 97 patients with functional dyspepsia were studied. In histological examination of gastric mucosal biopsies, chronic inflammation was present in 94 (96.9%), activity was seen in 47 (48.5%), glandular atrophy was seen in 3 (3.1%), and intestinal metaplasia was seen in 9 (9.2%) patients. H. pylori was identified on gastric mucosal biopsies in 46 (47.4%) patients based on sections stained with H&E and Giemsa. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, it is concluded that patients with functional dyspepsia have a higher frequency of gastric mucosal inflammation and H. pylori infection