The Effect of Memorization Model on Nursing Students’ Academic Achievement in Physiology Course a Study in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Today's Medical education is associated with numerous complications including potential increase of data volume in clinical and theoretical learning environments. This requires for new strategies using appropriate instructional methods. This study was performed to investigate the effect of the memorization model on nursing students' academic achievement in physiology course. Methods: This quasi-experimental study with two groups of pre- and post-tests was conducted on all second semester nursing students, Students studying renal physiology were selected as the experimental group (n=48) and midwifery students studying physiology of kidney (n=46) and nursing students studying endocrine physiology course (n=48) were selected as control groups. All experimental sessions were held using Memorization model and control sessions were conducted through regular methods of lecture and slide show. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, paired t-test, and ANOVA. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between mean scores of pretest which was 4.38±1.27 for experiment group and 4.15±1.79 for midwifery control group and 3.69±1.4 for nursing control group (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of control group of nursing students (11.67±3.52) and experimental group (14.28±3.32), (p<0/001). Conclusion: Employing new teaching models such as memorization model that is appropriate with educational content can be effective in improving students’ learning. However, accomplishment in their application is affected by teachers’ ability to employ the model, students’ creativity skills, and study strategies

Potent health effects of pomegranate

Accumulating data clearly claimed that Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) has several health benefits. Pomegranates can help prevent or treat various disease risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, oxidative stress, hyperglycemia, and inflammatory activities. It is demonstrated that certain components of pomegranate such as polyphenols have potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic effects. The antioxidant potential of pomegranate juice is more than that of red wine and green tea, which is induced through ellagitannins and hydrosable tannins. Pomegranate juice can reduce macrophage oxidative stress, free radicals, and lipid peroxidation. Moreover, pomegranate fruit extract prevents cell growth and induces apoptosis, which can lead to its anticarcinogenic effects. In addition, promoter inhibition of some inflammatory markers and their production are blocked via ellagitannins. In this article, we highlight different studies on the therapeutic effects of pomegranate and their suggested mechanisms of actions

Cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of Echium amoenum anthocyanin-rich extract in human endothelial cells (HUVECs)

Objective: Echium amoenum Fisch. & C.A. Mey. is used for the treatment of various diseases in traditional medicine. This plant is a major source of anthocyanins with beneficial cardiovascular properties such as anti-atherosclerotic and antihypertensive effects. In the present study, the protective and antioxidant effects of anthocyanin-rich E. amoenum extract were evaluated on human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) under oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: Cell viability and oxidative status were assessed on H2O2-induced oxidative stress (0.5 mM H2O2 for 2 h) in HUVECs pretreated by anthocyanin-rich extract from the petals of E. amoenum (25-1000 µg/ml). Cytoprotective effect of the extract was evaluated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The hydroperoxides concentration and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were assessed in intra- and extra-cellular fluid of pretreated cells. Results: Pretreatment of HUVECs with E. amoenum extract at the concentrations of 100-1000 µg/ml reduced the cell death resulted from the exposure to H2O2 in a concentration-dependent manner. E. amoenum extract decreased hydroperoxides concentration and increased FRAP value in both intra- and extra-cellular fluid at different concentration ranges. Moreover, it did not show cytotoxic effects at the concentration range of 25-1000 µg/ml. Conclusion: These results suggest antioxidant and protective effect of anthocyanin-rich extract of the petals of E. amoenum against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HUVECs. However, further investigations are needed for understanding the detailed mechanisms of cytoprotective effects of this traditional herbal medicine

EFFECT OF ENHANCED EXTERNAL COUNTER PULSATION ON PLAS-MA LEVEL OF NITRIC OXIDE AND VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR

Abstract &nbsp;&nbsp; BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction contributes to the manifestation of stable and unstable coronary syndromes in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive therapeutic modality for patients with CAD, non responsive to medical and/or surgical treatment. The aim of this research was to determine the long-term effect of EECP on endothelial function via releasing angiogenic factors, NO (nitric oxide) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), in patients with CAD. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS: The study was performed on 19 consecutive patients with ischemic coronary artery disease. All subjects were treated with EECP 1-h per day, 5 days a week, over 7 weeks (totally 35 h). Serum level of VEGF and nitrite (stable NO metabolite) concentration was measured before EECP, after 24th day, at the end of course (35th day), and at 1 and 3 months after completion of EECP treatment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: After 35 hours of EECP, there was a trend toward increase (31.5 &plusmn; 14.7%) in nitrite level compared with baseline (11.12&plusmn;3.17vs 9.65&plusmn;1.36mg/L) but it wasn&rsquo;t significant. Results of 1and 3 month follow-up after treatment showed that, the nitrite levels significantly increased compared with the baseline. During the course of EECP therapy, plasma VEGF levels increased progressively .Significant increase in plasma levels of VEGF were began from second sampling session of our study (24th day) and reached to maximum 3 month after EECP therapy. &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: In this prospective study that assessed the effects of EECP on plasma nitrite and VEGF levels, it has been demonstrated that EECP progressively increases nitrite and VEGF levels during the course of therapy. These significant changes continued 3 months after EECP therapy.</p

Using Protein Interaction Database and Support Vector Machines to Improve Gene Signatures for Prediction of Breast Cancer Recurrence

Numerous studies used microarray gene expression data to extract metastasis-driving gene signatures for the prediction of breast cancer relapse. However, the accuracy and generality of the previously introduced biomarkers are not acceptable for reliable usage in independent datasets. This inadequacy is attributed to ignoring gene interactions by simple feature selection methods, due to their computational burden. In this study, an integrated approach with low computational cost was proposed for identifying a more predictive gene signature, for prediction of breast cancer recurrence. First, a small set of genes was primarily selected as signature by an appropriate filter feature selection (FFS) method. Then, a binary sub-class of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was used to expand the primary set by adding adjacent proteins of each gene signature from the PPI-network. Subsequently, the support vector machine-based recursive feature elimination (SVMRFE) method was applied to the expression level of all the genes in the expanded set. Finally, the genes with the highest score by SVMRFE were selected as the new biomarkers. Accuracy of the final selected biomarkers was evaluated to classify four datasets on breast cancer patients, including 800 cases, into two cohorts of poor and good prognosis. The results of the five-fold cross validation test, using the support vector machine as a classifier, showed more than 13% improvement in the average accuracy, after modifying the primary selected signatures. Moreover, the method used in this study showed a lower computational cost compared to the other PPI-based methods. The proposed method demonstrated more robust and accurate biomarkers using the PPI network, at a low computational cost. This approach could be used as a supplementary procedure in microarray studies after applying various gene selection methods

Apolipoprotein A1 as a novel anti-implantation biomarker in polycystic ovary syndrome: A case-control study

Background: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have lower pregnancy rates, possibly due to the decreased uterine receptivity. Successful implantation depends on protein networks that are essential for cross-talk between the embryo and endometrium. Apolipoprotein A1 has been proposed as a putative anti-implantation factor. In this study, we evaluated apolipoprotein A1 expression in human endometrial tissues. Materials and Methods: Endometrial apolipoprotein A1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot. The distribution of apolipoprotein A1 was also detected by immunostaining. Samples were obtained from 10 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and 15 healthy fertile women in the proliferative (on day 2 or day 3 before ovulation, n = 7) and secretory (on days 3-5 after ovulation, n = 8) phases. Results: Endometrial apolipoprotein A1 expression was upregulated in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome compared to normal subjects. However, apolipoprotein A1 expression in the proliferative phase was significantly higher than in the luteal phase (P value < 0.05). Conclusion: It seems that differentially expressed apolipoprotein A1 negatively affects endometrial receptivity in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. The results showed that apolipoprotein A1 level significantly changes in the human endometrium during the menstrual cycle with minimum expression in the secretory phase, coincident with the receptive phase (window of implantation). Further studies are required to clarify the clinical application of this protein

Implementation of The First Medical science Olympiad in Iran: A report

The first national medical science Olympiad suggested by Isfahan University of Medical Sciences was hold in 2009 in Isfahan. The venture had the mission to identify and flourish potentials in Iranian medical science students - the health system's capital. The ministry of health in collaboration with the affiliated universities hosted 364 medical science students. Students formed teams of three members and competed excitingly in a friendly atmosphere in solving problems which could help promote our health system or basic medical sciences. To reach better coordination, meetings with authorities of ministry of health and academic members of universities were held. 35 academic members from 13 universities formed committees to set questions/ problems to be discussed and solved. Questions were of Key features, scenario, script concordance, matching, and open ended types. Individual and group tests on three domains (clinical reasoning, basic science reasoning, and health system managerial reasoning) were held in 2 days each. To assess the quality of the tests and also the Olympiad itself, students were asked to take part in a survey. Most participants (94%) believed there was a difference between the Olympiad and the usual university exams. Also about 60% found the quality of the event satisfactory and 72% said they would encourage friends to take part in the following year’s Olympiad. It appears that such events, creating an exciting and happy atmosphere, could help nurture educational creativity in students and inspire them to go beyond routine studying and thus fill certain educational gaps in health system. The Olympiad being the first medical experience of the kind, further studies and modifications will certainly be necessary to improve it further