Research articles
Sadegh Amani Shalamzari; Amin Daneshfar; Mozhgan Hassanzadeh Sablouei; Maria A. Fiatarone Singh; Abdolreza Kazemi
Volume 20, Issue 2 , 2018, Pages 1-9
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is widespread in Iran and exercise training is an adjuvant strategy for managing this illness.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aerobic training on tumor growth and its relationship with changes in adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin in mice with ...
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Background: Breast cancer is widespread in Iran and exercise training is an adjuvant strategy for managing this illness.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aerobic training on tumor growth and its relationship with changes in adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin in mice with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: In this animal experimental study, which was conducted during year 2016 in Iran, 20 female BALB/c micewere randomly divided to two groups: Tumor Control (TC) and Exercise (E). The MC4L2 cancer cells were injected in the mice. The E group then performed progressive aerobic training for six weeks. Tumor volume, food intake, weight, and muscle endurance of all mice were measured weekly. At six weeks, the mice were sacrificed and tumor, gastrocnemius muscle, and heart weights were measured. Level of cytokines/hormones were quantified using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) methodology in tumor, serum, muscle, and adipose tissue.Results: Aerobic exercise training was associated with a significantly decreased growth rate and final weight of the tumor (1.11 versus 2.74 g) compared to the TC group (P < 0.05). Exercising mice also had greater food intake, muscle endurance, heart weight (0.12 versus 0.09 g), and muscle weight (0.078 versus 0.045 mg) when compared with the TC group (P < 0.05). In addition, the E group had significantly increased adiponectin in all sites except the tumor, decreased leptin in all sites, and increased ghrelin in serum compared to the TC group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Aerobic exercise training in mice with breast cancer attenuated tumor burden and cachexia, and improved appetite, muscle size and function and fitness relative to non-exercising controls
Research articles
Rahman Panahi; Ali Ramezankhani; Mahmoud Tavousi; Shamsaddin Niknami
Volume 20, Issue 2 , 2018, Pages 1-10
Abstract
Background: It is believed that smoking is the gateway to use substances and illicit drugs. Due to an increase in smoking among students, we thought there is a need for more efficient ways to prevent smoking among the young and adolescents. Objectives: This study aimed to develop an extended version ...
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Background: It is believed that smoking is the gateway to use substances and illicit drugs. Due to an increase in smoking among students, we thought there is a need for more efficient ways to prevent smoking among the young and adolescents. Objectives: This study aimed to develop an extended version of the Health Belief Model (HBM) with elements of Health Literacy (HL) to assess whether an educational intervention could be effective in smoking prevention based on this new development in 2016. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study performed on 130 students living in dormitories of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, who were recruited and assigned to experimental and control groups (each containing 65 stu- dents). The experimental group received six electronic educational sessions via telegram application while the control group re- ceived no intervention. The data were collected using a questionnaire containing items on HBM, smoking preventive behaviors, and a measure of HL (the HL inventory for adults-HELIA). The questionnaire was completed at three time-points: before, immedi- ately and three months after the intervention. Data analyses were done using analysis of variance, Friedman and Mann-Whitney U Tests. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the demographic and background variables, the underlying level of knowledge, preventive behaviors, HL, and all the constructs of the model between the groups (P > 0.05). After the inter- vention, comparing two groups showed that the mean scores of knowledge, preventive behaviors, HL, and all components of the model changed significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The mean and standard devi- ation of adoption of smoking preventive behaviors at the beginning of the study in smoking and non-smoking students in the experimental group were 12.66 ± 1.24 and 8.66 ± 0.16, respectively. Then, after three months they changed to 22.32 ± 3.53 and 9.38 ± 0.33, respectively, which represents a significant increase in the adoption of behaviors in the experimental group (p < 0.0001),but no significant difference was observed in the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors in smoking and non-smoking students in the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that educational intervention by Telegram application based on HBM and HL was effective in pro- moting the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors among university students
Research articles
Mozhgan Hashemieh; Elham Memari; Mehrdad Taheri
Volume 20, Issue 2 , 2018, Pages 1-6
Abstract
Background: Bone marrow aspirations and biopsies are very painful diagnostic procedures in pediatric candidates and must be done under sedation or analgesia. Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating the effect of using Entonox gas during sedation and analgesia induction in pediatric candidates ...
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Background: Bone marrow aspirations and biopsies are very painful diagnostic procedures in pediatric candidates and must be done under sedation or analgesia. Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating the effect of using Entonox gas during sedation and analgesia induction in pediatric candidates of bone marrow aspiration.Methods: It was a single-blind, randomized clinical trial. All pediatric candidates of first time bone marrow aspiration were in- cluded and allocated to either group 1 or 2, using a random number table. In group 1, a combination of midazolam, fentanyl, ke- tamine, and propofol was injected intravenously. In group 2, the mentioned combination was injected intravenously and Entonox gas was used for patients’ ventilation. The goal was to reach level 4 sedation based on the Ramsay sedation scale. If needed, extra propofol was injected intravenously every minute. Physician and the helping nurse satisfaction of the procedure were evaluated. Duration of the procedure, the administered dosage for each patient, occurrence of any complications, and the recovery time were recorded. Results: A total of 88 cases with the mean age of 6.8 ± 3.6 years, and mean weight of 25.4 ± 12.5 kg were included in the study (50% female). Baseline and demographic data of the groups showed no significant difference. Propofol consumption was significantly lower in group 2, for whom Entonox gas was prescribed, compared with group 1 (P-value < 0.001). Decrease of recovery time ingroup 2 compared with group 1 was evident (P-value < 0.001). Physician and nurse’s satisfaction was higher in group 2 compared to group 1, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions: It is likely that Entonox prescription during bone marrow aspiration in pediatric leads to decrease in consumption of propofol to provide proper sedation, shorter recovery time of the patients, and increased satisfaction in both the physician and nurse in charge of performing the procedure
Research articles
Maryam Saber; Hassan Eftekhar; Mohammad Hossein Taghdisi; Ali Akbar Haghdoost; Tayebeh Fasihi Harandi; Davood Shojayzadeh
Volume 20, Issue 2 , 2018, Pages 1-8
Abstract
Background: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are one of the essential measures of modern governments’ management to improve social, political, and developmental activities. They play an important role in the process of development in most countries. Objectives: The present study was conducted ...
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Background: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are one of the essential measures of modern governments’ management to improve social, political, and developmental activities. They play an important role in the process of development in most countries. Objectives: The present study was conducted to design and validate the checklist of NGOs’ practice in Kerman (Iran) where the scope of their activities is increasingly more diverse and complex. The availability and access to a valid and reliable instrument is essential for intervention and promotion of non-governmental organizations. Methods: The checklist was designed and validated from the literature review, existing reports, and current statutes of NGOs. Con- tent and structure validity (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis), and internal consistency were used to measure the psy- chometric components of the checklist. Our sample consisted of all 150 licensed NGOs in Kerman, and sampling was conducted from April 2014 to September 2015. Results: While the checklist showed acceptable content validity, exploratory factor analysis revealed 3 factors: (a) social influence,(b) social structure, and (c) participatory experience. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that fit indices were acceptable as χ2 =1.65, CFI = 0.79, AGFI = 0.74, GFI = 0.82, and RMSEA = 0.1. The Cronbach‘s alpha was 0.7. Conclusions: Our results revealed that the checklist psychometric properties were acceptable. This checklist can be a start point for developing standard tools in the field of non-governmental organizations’ activity. In addition, this tool can be a guide for theevaluation and enhancement of NGOs’ activity
