Changes in apoptotic factors in hypothalamus and hippocampus after acute and subchronic stress induction during conditioned place preference paradigm

The hypothalamus (HYP) and hippocampus (HIP) are important regions involved in stress responses. These areas are also associated with reward processing. In this study, the effects of acute and subchronic stress on the changes in apoptotic factors (Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase-3 activation and PARP degradation) in the HYP and HIP during conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm were evaluated. Male Wistar rats were divided into two saline- and morphine-reated supergroups. Each supergroup contained control, acute stress (AS) and subchronic stress (SS) groups. In all groups, CPP paradigm was done and thereinafter alterations of apoptotic factors were measured by western blot. The results revealed that in the HYP, all mentioned factors increased significantly in saline- or morphine-treated animals during AS and SS. On the other hand, in the HIP, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in saline-treated animals increased significantly during AS and SS, while in morphine-treated animals this ratio did not have any significant alteration during AS and was decreased during SS compared with morphine-control group. Caspase-3 and PARP increased during AS and SS in saline- or morphine-treated animals. For example, caspase-3 increased during AS and SS in morphine-treated animals by 2.4 folds and PARP (89 KDa) increased by 3.1 and 3.5 folds, respectively. Interestingly, the increase of apoptotic factors in morphine-treated animals was more considerable than that of saline-treated animals. These results strongly implied that AS and SS trigger apoptotic events in the HYP and HIP of saline- and/or morphine-treated animals as well as morphine reinforces the effect of stress on the induction of apoptosis

Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Medical Education Fellowship Program for the Faculty Members of Kerman University of Medical Sciences Based on the Kirkpatrick Model

Background: Attempts to increase the development of faculty members can improve their ability to assume different roles. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to design, implementation, and evaluation a medical education fellowship program for the faculty members of Kerman University of Medical Sciences and to propose practical recommendations for the future design of development programs. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, a total of 53 faculty members of Kerman University of Medical Sciences participated in a one-year development program, which was designed by the Education Development Center and included the main disciplines of medical education. The program was evaluated in several steps, using the Kirkpatrick model. Results: In the first level of Kirkpatrick model, the majority of the participants were satisfied with the general quality of the fellowship program. Based on the findings, the program led to an increase in the knowledge of faculty members and promoted a more positive attitude towards education and these programs. The findings related to the second level of Kirkpatrick model showed a significant difference between the pretest and posttest results (P < 0.05). In addition, analysis of the effects of the program on the participants’ behaviors and practical learning indicated positive changes. Conclusions: The medical education fellowship program led to positive changes in the participants’ attitudes towards education and faculty development programs and increased their knowledge about educational principles and strategies and achieving of training skills. It can be concluded that the medical education fellowship program could achieve many of its preset goals. Keywords Faculty Development Programs Medical Education Faculty Member

Global injury morbidity and mortality from 1990 to 2017 : results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Correction:Background Past research in population health trends has shown that injuries form a substantial burden of population health loss. Regular updates to injury burden assessments are critical. We report Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 Study estimates on morbidity and mortality for all injuries. Methods We reviewed results for injuries from the GBD 2017 study. GBD 2017 measured injury-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) using the Cause of Death Ensemble model. To measure non-fatal injuries, GBD 2017 modelled injury-specific incidence and converted this to prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs). YLLs and YLDs were summed to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Findings In 1990, there were 4 260 493 (4 085 700 to 4 396 138) injury deaths, which increased to 4 484 722 (4 332 010 to 4 585 554) deaths in 2017, while age-standardised mortality decreased from 1079 (1073 to 1086) to 738 (730 to 745) per 100 000. In 1990, there were 354 064 302 (95% uncertainty interval: 338 174 876 to 371 610 802) new cases of injury globally, which increased to 520 710 288 (493 430 247 to 547 988 635) new cases in 2017. During this time, age-standardised incidence decreased non-significantly from 6824 (6534 to 7147) to 6763 (6412 to 7118) per 100 000. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised DALYs decreased from 4947 (4655 to 5233) per 100 000 to 3267 (3058 to 3505). Interpretation Injuries are an important cause of health loss globally, though mortality has declined between 1990 and 2017. Future research in injury burden should focus on prevention in high-burden populations, improving data collection and ensuring access to medical care.Peer reviewe

Data of article with title: Morphine dependency impairs neural connectivity between the anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal cortices during endeavor-based decision-making

Data of article with title:    Morphine dependency impairs neural connectivity between the anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal cortices during endeavor-based decision-making</p

Data of article in titled: Morphine dependency impairs neural connectivity between the anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal cortices during endeavor-based decision-making

Data of article in titled: Morphine dependency impairs neural connectivity between the anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal cortices during endeavor-based decision-making</p

Comparison of the Kinematic Pattern of Knee Joint Flexion in Healthy and Genu Valgum and Genu Varum Children During Jumping

Objective Genu valgum and genu varum are considered as the most common abnormalities of the knee joint in the lower extremity. Identifying of the mentioned abnormalities in the early stages of life can prevent the occurrence of later problems in the physical condition of a person's life. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the kinematic pattern of knee joint flexion in healthy children and genu valgum and genu varum children during jumping. Methods This study, 45 students in three groups (15 genu varum, 15 genu valgum and 15 healthy participated in the present study. Students performed long jump skills in front of a camcorder and measured information about the knee joint in three phases: take off, flight, and landing, using KINOVEA software. Data normality was investigated using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Mann- Whitney as well as kruskal-wallis nonparametric tests were employed for future analysis (P<0.05). Results There was a significant difference between healthy genu valgum and genu varum groups at take-off phase. No significant difference was observed between all three groups in the two other phases. Conclusion In genu valgum and genu varum groups the quadriceps muscles are affected to create dynamic stability in the frontal and sagittal planes

A Review on Chitosan-Containing Polyurethanes: Synthesis, Properties and Applications

Today, the specialists’ attention on polyurethanes is increasing day by day due to easy synthesis, available raw materials, favorable mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and the possibility of providing different products, such as water-based polyurethanes, foams, hydrogels and glues. Chitosan is a natural polymer that is extracted from the deacetylation of chitin and contains glucosamine and N-acetyl glucosamine units. This non-toxic natural polymer has very useful properties such as antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tissue repair and regeneration effects. One of the weaknesses of chitosan is its poor solubility and processability due to its strong intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Therefore, chitosan has been used mainly in modified form or in combination with other polymers in various applications. The combination of synthetic polymers with natural polymers is of particular importance because natural polymers such as chitosan can show some properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, high cell viability, and internal tissue growth; while the synthetic polymers have other characteristics such as favorable processing, mechanical and physical properties, and appropriate chemical and thermal stability. Recently, chitosan has been used in combination with polyurethanes to improve its mechanical properties, thermal stability, biodegradability, antimicrobial properties and biological activity. During these studies, products in various forms such as composite, elastomer, fiber, foam, scaffold, and hydrogel have been prepared for different applications. In this review, polyurethanes containing chitosan and their synthesis methods for various applications are discussed. The products prepared in these studies have been suggested for various applications such as antibacterial coating, wound dressing, tissue engineering scaffold, fabric modification, fibers, hydrogels and foams