A study gauging perceived social support and loneliness with life satisfaction among students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Social humans are embedded with a variety of relationships. Satisfactory social support is crucial for having physical and psychological well being. Aim: The purpose of the present study was to find empirical support for the connections between perceived social support and loneliness with life satisfaction. Material & methods: 226 students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences participated in the study. They were assessed using demographic questions, Multidimensional scale of Perceived Social Support, Life Satisfaction Scale, and Loneliness Scale. Using SPSS (16) and Pearson correlation test, linear regression the data were analyzed. Findings: 122 male and 104 female students filled the questionnaires. 91 percents of the students were single and also 95 percents were residents of university dormitories. There was a significant relationship between life satisfaction with loneliness in the subjects (p< 0.05). The higher social support from the family and friends was also correlated with more life satisfaction and less loneliness (p< 0.05). Linear regression showed a significant correlation among social support, life satisfaction with loneliness. Conclusion: Findings suggest, appropriate social support can reduce loneliness and increase life satisfaction. It is also one of the well being predictors. Therefore the universities should provide strategies to facilitate social support from family and the significant others. The empowerment of the students using teaching social communication skills may be helpful as well. The results were discussed within the context of findings from the studies conducted in eastern and western cultures

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Turkmen ethnic groups in Gorgan

Introduction: It has been estimated that the metabolic syndrome may predict cardiovascular disease and the occurrence of sudden death, independent of the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the present study was to assess the metabolic syndrome among Turkmen women in this area. Material and Methods: The present study consisted of 160 Turkmen women. Baseline data and prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the components of metabolic syndrome in Turkmen women were determined. Observations and Results: The prevalence of high levels of fasting glucose, low levels of high density lipoproteincholesterol, high triglyceride levels, high waist circumference and high blood pressure were shown to be 29.37%, 70.62%, 35.62%, 75% and 26.25%, respectively. It was shown that high waist circumference (75%) and Low HDL-cholesterol levels (70.62%) were the most frequent characteristics in comparison to other metabolic components. The prevalence of high waist circumference, high triglyceride levels, high levels of fasting glucose, high blood pressure and BMIs which were ≥25 were higher in subjects with metabolic syndrome (92.85%, 73.21%, 73.21%, 57.14% and 83.92%, respectively). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is more prevalent among Turkmen women. Our data has shown that the prevalence of abnormal waist circumference in this ethnic group was highest. The waist circumference can be used as a predictor for cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease

A comparative survey of anxiety level in primary school children with working and unemployed mothers in north of Iran; 2013

Background: Anxiety is one of important disorders of mental health in children and adolescents which is influenced by various endogenous and environmental factors. The aim of this study was a comparative survey of anxiety level in primary school children with working and unemployed mothers in Gorgan in 2013. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study, 745 male and female primary school students in public and private schools in Gorgan were selected using a combination sampling (stratification and clustering). For data collection were used Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) included 38 questions. The collecting data were analyzed using SPSS-21 statistical software and chi-square and t tests. P values of less than 0.05 were considered as the significance level. Results: The results showed that the average age of students were 9.4 ± 1.65 and in the 38.4% of them were males and 61/6% were female 61/9% of the students had working mothers and 38.1% of their mothers were unemployed. Spence Children's Anxiety Scale total score for the studied sample was 22.74 ± 12.72. A significant difference was observed between two groups of the students with working and unemployed mothers and between two sexes (P<0.05). The separation anxiety and fear of physical harm was the most common disorders and the fear of open spaces also had the lowest prevalence. The prevalence of anxiety disorders in children with unemployed mothers with lower education levels, in female, in families with fewer children and public school students was more. Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of anxiety disorders in students whose mothers are unemployed and among the girls was more. Therefore, it's necessary to pay more attention to the mental health of the mothers and students with considering of their important role in family and society. © 2015 Derakhshanpoor F, et al

Comparison of oral prednisolone pulse therapy with intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy in severe alopecia areata

Objective: To compare the efficacy of oral prednisolone pulse therapy in comparison to the intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy in treatment of severe alopecia areata. Patients and methods: In this interventional study, all patients with alopecia areata having at least 30% involvement of scalp or more than 10 patches of alopecia in scalp and body, registered during 2006-2009 in dermatologic department of 5-Azar hospital, Gorgan, Northeast of Iran were included. Forty patients with severe alopecia areata were enrolled and divided into 2 groups. Group A was treated with 200 mg oral prednisolone in one dose, every week for 3 months and group B were treated with 500 mg intravenous methylprednisolone on 3 continuous days each month for 6 months. Results: Recovery rate after 1, 3, 6 and 12th months after treatment was significantly higher in group B compared to group A. Side effects included: acne (5 in group A and 7 in group B), heartburn (4 in group A and 5 in B), striae (4 in group A and 6 in group B) and were more seen in group B but it was not significant statistically. The recovery and rate was not significantly different between two sexes. Conclusion: In this study, 500 mg intravenous methylprednisolone in 3 continuous days each month for 6 months showed a better recovery rate in severe alopecia areata. Patients must be warned about the side effects and outcomes

Comparison of glycemic excursion in patients with new onset type 2 diabetes mellitus before and after treatment with repaglinide

Due to industrialization and sedentary life, incidence of type 2 diabetes (DM2) is increasing seriously. Repaglinide is a glucose reducing agent that predominantly reduces post-prandial glucose. Continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) monitors blood glucose excursions over a 3-day period. CGMS can be used as a therapeutic and diagnostic instrument in diabetics. There are not enough studies about using CGMS in DM2. The aim of this study was to determine the blood glucose excursions in patients with new onset of DM2. 10 patients with new onset of DM2 were entered to this study. As the first therapeutic management, patients received diabetic diet and moderate exercise for 3-weeks, if they did not achieve blood glucose goal (Fasting blood glucoser (FBG) <120mg/dl, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hpp) <180mg/dl), were considered to undergo 3-days CGMS at baseline and after 4-weeks on Repaglinide (0.5mg three times before meals). Mean excursions of blood glucose were not different at the onset and at the end of treatment (6±4.05 VS 7.6±5.2 episodes, P=0.49). There were also no significant differences between mean duration of hypoglycemic episodes (zero VS 5.1±14.1 hours, P =0.28) and hyperglycemic episodes before and after therapy (7.6±5.2 VS 5.7±4.1, P=0.42), but mean hyperglycemia duration was significantly reduced at the end of therapy (21±26.17 VS 57.7±35.3, P=0.001). Patients experienced a mean of 0.3±0.67 episodes of hypoglycemia after therapy showed no significant difference before it (P =0.19). Mean FBG (with CGMS) was significantly lower after therapy than before it (142.9±54.31 VS 222.9±82.6, P <0.001). This study showed the usefulness of CGMS not only as a diagnostic but also as an educational and therapeutic tool that in combination with Repaglinide (with the lowest effective dose and duration) can significantly reduce FBG and glycemic excursions in DM2 patients and hypoglycemic events are low. © Hezarkhani et al

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Fars ethnic women in North East of Iran

The metabolic syndrome is described by the clustering of several risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to assess the metabolic syndrome among Fars ethnic women in Gorgan, Capital City of Golestan province, North East of Iran. The study conducted on the hundred and sixty Fars women (20- 40years) who were referred to the Health Centers in Gorgan. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using Adult Treatment Panel-III (ATP-III) guidelines. The mean triglyceride, total cholesterol, waist circumferences and fasting blood glucose levels were significantly higher in the subjects with metabolic syndrome, but the mean HDL-cholesterol was lower (p< 0.05). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 20.62%. High abdominal obesity and low HDL-cholesterol level are the most frequent characteristics in comparison to other metabolic components. According to our results, 13.75%, 5.62%and 1.25% had three, four and five criteria for metabolic syndrome, respectively. Low HDL-cholesterol and high waist circumference were the most usual factors of metabolic abnormality among women. Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases might be increased. We have shown some related factors of metabolic syndrome in these women to predict metabolic syndrome in these ethnic groups and help to prevent cardiovascular disease. © IDOSI Publications, 2012

Hepatobiliary neuroendocrine carcinoma: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder is a rather uncommon disease. We report a case of a neuroendocrine tumor that was located in the wall of the gallbladder and that extended into the liver.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 52-year-old Caucasian woman presented with right-sided abdominal pain, ascites and jaundice. An MRI scan revealed a tumor mass located in the gallbladder wall and involving the liver. A partial hepatectomy and cholecystectomy were performed. Histology revealed a neuroendocrine tumor, which showed scattered Grimelius positive cells and immuno-expressed epithelial and endocrine markers. Our patient is undergoing chemotherapy treatment.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors need a multidisciplinary approach, involving immunohistochemistry and molecular-genetic techniques.</p

International comparisons of behavioral and emotional problems in preschool children: parents’ reports from 24 societies

International comparisons were conducted of preschool children’s behavioral and emotional problems as reported on the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1½–5 by parents in 24 societies (N¼19,850). Item ratings were aggregated into scores on syndromes; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–oriented scales; a Stress Problems scale; and Internalizing, Externalizing, and Total Problems scales. Effect sizes for scale score differences among the 24 societies ranged from small to medium (3–12%). Although societies differed greatly in language, culture, and other characteristics, Total Problems scores for 18 of the 24 societies were within 7.1 points of the omnicultural mean of 33.3 (on a scale of 0–198). Gender and age differences, as well as gender and age interactions with society, were all very small (effect sizes<1%). Across all pairs of societies, correlations between mean item ratings averaged .78, and correlations between internal consistency alphas for the scales averaged .92, indicating that the rank orders of mean item ratings and internal consistencies of scales were very similar across diverse societies

Exercising Bioengineered Skeletal Muscle In Vitro: Biopsy to Bioreactor.

The bioengineering of skeletal muscle tissue in-vitro has enabled researchers to more closely mimic the in-vivo skeletal muscle niche. The three-dimensional (3-D) structure of the tissue engineered systems employed to date enable the generation of highly aligned and differentiated myofibers within a representative biological matrix. The use of electrical stimulation to model concentric contraction, via innervation of the myofibers, and the use of mechanical loading to model passive lengthening or stretch has begun to provide a manipulable environment to investigate the cellular and molecular responses following exercise mimicking stimuli in-vitro. Currently available bioreactor systems allow either electrical stimulation or mechanical loading to be utilized at any given time. In the present manuscript, we describe in detail the methodological procedures to create 3-D bioengineered skeletal muscle using both cell lines and/or primary human muscle derived cells from a tissue biopsy, through to modeling exercising stimuli using a bioreactor that can provide both electrical stimulation and mechanical loading simultaneously within the same in-vitro system

Comparison of serum levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine between patients who take two types of atypical anti psychotics

Background: Schizophrenia is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been suggested as a cardiovascular biomarker. Treatment with atypical antipsychotics can increase some traditional risk factors of coronary artery disease. In addition to traditional risk factors, this study is carried out as a comparison of serum levels of ADMA and non-traditional factors among patients who take two types of atypical antipsychotics. Methods: In this clinical study, 57 schizophrenic patients with multiple episodes and 20 healthy voluntaries that fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were entered into the study. The patients were divided into 3 groups (18 patients received risperidone alone, 20 patients received clozapine alone and 19 patients did not receive any drug). Plasma concentrations of ADMA, high-sensitivity Creactive protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine were measured through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and traditional risk factors of metabolic syndrome were measured. Results: Mean age of participants was 46.08±12.54 years. Moreover, the traditional (High-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol, waistline, and Body Mass Index (BMI)) and non-traditional factors (Homocysteine, hs-CRP) and ADMA were higher in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy group (p � 0.05). Also, in the clozapine group, all mentioned non-traditional factors and ADMA were significantly higher than other groups (p � 0.05). Conclusion: In the clozapine group, levels of non-traditional factors and ADMA were significantly higher which indicates these patients are at risk of cardiovascular disease. © Iran University of Medical Sciences