Phenolic Compounds in the Built Environment

This chapter examines source and application of phenolic compounds in the built environment as well as their environmental fate and treatment methods. We further describe the role of phenolic compounds in delaying aging and degradation of outdoor construction elements when exposed to intense solar radiation. In this chapter both plant-based and synthetic sources of phenolic compounds and their fate in the environment were examined. In addition, merits of select sources of phenolic compounds to resist ultraviolet radiation in composites as well as delaying degradation were studied. This chapter further provides insights pertaining to the underlying molecular interactions which afford phenol’s role as an anti-aging additive for outdoor construction elements. This in turn provides a solution to promote bio-economy and enhance sustainability in the built environment

Diosmetin Mitigates Cognitive and Memory Impairment Provoked by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Mice

Background and Aim. Numerous reports have indicated that dealing with stressors in life is a main risk factor for the occurrence and progression of cognitive and memory impairment. Available treatments such as benzodiazepine and antidepressants address only certain aspects of this stress disorder and have numerous side effects. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of diosmetin, as a flavonoid compound with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, on cognitive impairment and chronic stress memory. Materials and Methods. In the present experimental study, male NMRI mice were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) paradigm for 35 days. Diosmetin (at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg. i.p.) or diosmetin solvent (normal saline + DMSO, 1 ml/kg; i.p.) was administered 30 min before stress induction. After 28 days, memory and cognitive performance were assessed by shuttle box and novel object recognition tests. Finally, antioxidant capacity (FRAP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level of serum and brain, and serum corticosterone level were evaluated. Results. Behavioral tests showed that CUMS significantly reduced the secondary latency in passive avoidance memory test and diagnosis index in novel object recognition test compared to the control group (P<0.001), whereas treatment with diosmetin (20 and 40 mg/kg) significantly improved memory performance in the two tests (P<0.001). In addition, diosmetin (40 mg/kg) could pronouncedly suppress increase in serum corticosterone levels, reduction in antioxidant capacity, and production of excess MDA caused by CUMS compared to the control group (P<0.01, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). Conclusion. Chronic stress can impair memory and cognition and treatment with diosmetin can partly improve this disorder in male mice by increasing the antioxidant capacity of brain tissue and serum and improving serum corticosterone levels

The study of Self-care agency and some associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes referred to the diabetes clinic of Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj in 2016

Background and Aims: Diabetes is considered as a major public health problem all over the world. Self-care behaviors is the most important strategy for controlling chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the self-care agency and some associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on a descriptive-analytic approach on 374 patients referring to the Diabetes Clinic of Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj, selected using systematic sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic and background information questionnaire and a valid and reliable questionnaire for assessing the self-care agency of diabetic patients. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software version 16 and appropriate tests. All stages of the study were conducted according to moral standards. Results: The mean and standard deviation of self-care agency score was 58.40 ± 12.49 from 105, that is considered moderate. There was a significant difference in self-care agency of patients according to variables such as gender, ability to measure blood glucose, occupational status, history of education about diabetes, regular dental examinations and annual infusion of influenza vaccine (P&lt;0.05). There was a significant and inverse correlation between the number of years elapsed since diabetes diagnosis and self-care agency (P&lt;0.05 and r=0.24). Conclusion: Regarding the average self-care level in the majority of patients and the important role of self-care in controlling diabetes, the need to implement self-care education is increasingly felt in diabetic patients. Keywords: Self-care, Type 2 diabetes, Sananda

Evaluating the Reliability of Anatomic Landmarks in Safe Lumbar Puncture Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Does Sex Matter?

Aim. To determine the level of the conus medullaris-Tuffier's line, and conus medullaris-Tuffier's line distance using imaging and evaluate their relation to age and gender. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional study of 189 adult participants, who underwent MR imaging of lumbosacral spine. Each vertebra was divided into 3 equal segments (upper, middle, and lower), and intervertebral disc space was also assumed as one segment. All segments from T12 upper segment to L5S1 intervertebral disc were numbered consecutively. The position of conus medullaris and Tuffier's line was determined by the vertebral segment or intervertebral disc space at the same level. The patients were stratified into high/low conus medullaris position (cutpoint: L1 middle segment) and short/long conus-Tuffier's distance (cutpoint: 14 segments). Results. Women with low conus were significantly more than men, in patients older than 50 years old (72.7% in females versus 55.3% in males; P < .05), whereas there was not such a sexual dimorphism in patients younger than 50 years old. Similarly, short conus-Tuffier's distance was more frequent among women than men in patients older than 50 years old (59.7% in females versus 39.5% in males; P < .05), whereas there was not any gender difference in patients younger than 50 years old. Conus-Tuffier's distance was negatively correlated with age (r = −0.32, P < .001) in all studied population. Conclusion. Anatomical landmarks vary according to age and gender, with a lower end of conus medullaris in women, so clinicians should use more caution on the identification of the appropriate site for lumbar puncture, particularly in elderly women

Possible involvement of l-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in the antidepressant activity of Auraptene in mice

Background: Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses worldwide. Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the pathophysiology of depression. Auraptene (a coumarin derivative) has been shown to possess pharmacological effects on neurological diseases. Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the possible role of the NO pathway in Auraptene antidepressant effects in male mice. Methods: Behavioral tests were used to assess depression-like behaviors. The mice received Auraptene at 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg, the combination of the sub-effective (ineffective) dose of Auraptene (10 mg/kg) and L-NAME, and the combination of the effective dose of Auraptene (30 mg/kg) and L-arginine. Finally, OFT, TST, FST, brain, serum MDA level, antioxidant capacity, hippocampus, and serum NO level were measured. Results: The data analysis showed that Auraptene (30 mg/kg) improved depression-like behaviors. Auraptene (30 mg/kg) also significantly reduced serum NO levels (P < 0.05) and significantly increased serum MDA (10 mg/kg, P < 0.05). Auraptene at 30 mg/kg also increased serum antioxidant capacity (P < 0.01). Co-administration of L-NAME and the sub-effective dose of Auraptene enhanced the effects of Auraptene. However, co-administration of the effective dose of Auraptene and L-arginine reduced the impacts of Auraptene. Conclusions: The results showed that Auraptene causes antidepressant effects in a dose-dependent manner and acts as a prooxidant at 100 mg/kg, and exacerbates oxidative stress. The antidepressant effects of this active molecule are exerted by reducing the NO level in the hippocampus and serum, increasing the antioxidant capacity, and reducing the MDA level in the serum

Possible involvement of NMDA receptor in the anxiolytic-like effect of caffeic acid in mice model of maternal separation stress

Background and aim: Anxiety disorders are one of the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide. Common anti-anxiety medications are associated with several side effects. Caffeic acid (CA) is a phenolic compound with several pharmacological effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the anxiolytic-like effect of CA in maternally separated (MS) mice focusing on the possible involvement of the NMDA receptor. Materials and methods: In this study, we used the MS paradigm (as a valid animal model of anxiety) in male mice and examined their anxiety-like behavior in postnatal day (PND) 45. The animals were divided into 12 experimental groups. Mice treated with CA alone and in combination with the NMDA receptor agonist/antagonist and then using open field (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) anxiety-like behavior was assessed. Finally, the expression of NMDA receptor subtypes was assessed in the hippocampus using RT-PCR. Results: Finding showed that CA exerted anxiolytic-like effects in the OFT and EPM tests. We showed that administration of effective dose of NMDA significantly reversed the anxiolytic-like effect of effective dose of CA and co-administration of ketamine (a NMDA receptor antagonist) significantly potentiated the effect of sub-effective dose of CA. Furthermore, ketamine enhanced the CA-reducing effect on NMDA receptors in the MS mice. Conclusion: Our finding demonstrated that, probably at least, NMDA receptors are involved in the anxiety-like properties of CA in MS mice. Keywords:Maternal separation; Mice; Anxiety; Caffeic acid; Neuroscience; Pharmaceutical science; Molecular biology; Developmental biolog

The Relationship between Health Literacy and Organizational Culture among the Staff of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

Background & Objectives: Organizational culture can have a positive effect on health information and including organizational culture in discussions of health literacy influences the recognition of health as a cultural concept. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the relationship between health literacy and organizational culture among the staff of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 137 employees of the faculties and the central organization of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences who were selected by census method. The Health Literacy and Organizational Culture Questionnaire was used to collect data. Chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient, and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Data were entered into SPSS statistical software version 21. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 38.9 years. The highest mean scores of health literacy and organizational culture were for understanding and participation, respectively, and the lowest were for decision-making and adaptability, respectively. People's health literacy status as related to organizational culture was good. All four dimensions of organizational culture had a significant relationship with decision-making and evaluation of health literacy. Education had a significant relationship only with the adaptability dimension of organizational culture and age had a significant relationship only with access and reading health literacy. Conclusion: Improving the organizational culture of employees through personnel training, organizational learning, organizational change, and including these items in strategic planning can improve their health literacy. Key¬words: Health Literacy, Organizational Culture, Administrative Staff Citation: Sadeghi M, Shakiba E, Naderi M. The Relationship between Health Literacy and Organizational Culture among the Staff of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Journal of Health Based Research 2020; 6(1): 39-49. [In Persian

Assessing the Quality of Academic Life of Medical and Dental Students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in the Corona Epidemic

Introduction: Students are beneficiaries in higher education and low quality of their academic life disrupts their learning. This study endeavored to assess the quality of academic life of medical and dental students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in the Corona's epidemic. Methods: This descriptive study is analytical cross-sectional. The population including193 clinical medical (N= 80) and dental students (N= 73) of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences were selected by cluster and random sampling. Students with a mean age of 23.67±1.65 years (20-25) participated. Maarefvand's et al. questionnaire was employed to collect data. Questionnaire information was collected and coded. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data and ANOVA as well as t-test analytical statistics were employed to analyze and compare fields of study, year of university entry, age, gender, residence status, employment, marriage and grade point average (α=0.05). Results: The mean and standard deviation of quality of life score of dental students was 2.73±0.48 and medical students were 2.47±0.51. In both groups, the highest mean belonged to education and educational services and the lowest to welfare services. Only in the field of research, the average quality of life score of dental students was significantly higher than that of medicine (p<0.001, t=5.51). Conclusion: The quality of academic life of dental and medical students was moderate. It is suggested that university officials provide more services to students regarding the conditions

Comparison of Health Literacy of Medical and Dentistry Students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2016

Background and objective: Health literacy represents an individual's capacity to acquire, interpret and understand the information necessary for the required services and make proper decisions in the field of health. Health literacy includes a set of skills reading, listening, analysis, decision-making and the ability to apply these skills in health situations that do not necessarily lead to years of schooling or public reading ability. Present study is aimed to determine the level of health literacy among medical and dental students in university of science in Rafsanjani. Methods: this is a measurement study. A number of 282medical and dental students I university of science in Rafsanjan were studied. To collect data the questioner of health literacy was applied which had been designed and psychometric by Montezari and et al (HELIA). And then data was analyzed. Results: The findings showed that mean and standard deviation of dentistry students (22.88 &plusmn; 3.49) years and mean and standard deviation of medical students were (22.16&plusmn;2.5) years. Independent t-test did not show a significant difference between the mean age of medical students and dentistry students (p=0.742). In evaluating the dimensions of health literacy among dental and medical students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences The highest mean of health literacy dimensions in both fields related to the decision-making and behavioral dimension and the lowest mean in the field of dentistry was related to the assessment dimension (14.45 &plusmn; 2.46) and in the reading-related medicine category (14.99&plusmn;3/00). Conclusion: findings suggested that the medical students have obtained higher average scores than dental student in term of health literacy. In aspects of health literacy highest average in both disciplines related to the decision-making and behavior related to the assessment and the lowest in dentistry and medicine are related to reading. Paper Type: Research Article

Genetic and epigenetic alteration in thyroid cancer: review article

Thyroid cancer is one of the most common endocrine malignancies and in the last two decades the number of involved people in the world has been increased. Thyroid cancer in Iran is the seventh most common cancer in women and 14th&nbsp;in men. In recent years many achievements regarding to molecular pathogenic factors such as the substantial role of signaling pathways and molecular abnormalities have been made. Nowadays there is no efficient treatment for progressed thyroid cancer that does not respond to radioiodine therapy which are included poorly differentiated, anaplastic and metastatic or recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer. Although the results of some clinical trials in phase II for treatment of progressed thyroid cancer are rewarding but none of the treated patients responded to treatment and only a few of them responded partially to the treatment which indicates that the treatment can only control the condition of patients with advanced disease, therefore it is needed to consider other alternative solutions which would be helpful in controlling the disease. Epigenetic is referred to study of heritable changes in gene expression without changes in primary DNA sequence. The main mechanisms of genetic and epigenetic alterations are including mutations, increasing the gene copy number and aberrant gene methylation. Epigenetic defects are prevalent in different types of cancers. Aberrant methylation of genes that control cell proliferation and invasion (p16INK4A, RASSF1A, PTEN, Rap1GAP, TIMP3, DAPK, RAR&beta;2, E-cadherin, and CITED1), as well as specific genes involved in differentiation of thyroid cancer (Na+/I- symport, TSH receptor, pendrin, SL5A8, and TTF-1) in association with genetic alterations, leads to tumor progression. Growing evidence shows that acquired epigenetic abnormalities participate with genetic alterations to cause altered patterns of gene expression or function. Many of these molecular changes can be used as molecular markers for prognosis, diagnosis and new therapeutic targets for thyroid cancer. This article is about the most common genetic and epigenetic alterations in thyroid cancer which can be complementary together in recognition of new treatments for the disease