No abstract

A cross-sectional study measured the frequency of self-reported stress symptoms among a weighted random sample of medical students in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran. The data were gathered using the Kessler 10-item psychological distress scale. The overall prevalence of stress among 222 students was 61.3% and there were no statistically significant differences in stress levels between students in the pre-clinical and clinical phases or different years of study. Married students had significantly lower scores than single students but there were no differences between the sexes. Students who chose to study medicine had lower stress scores than those who were influenced by family or had no choice about the subject. Students with mild to moderate stress were significantly more likely to suffer physical problems (OR = 4.42). Interventions are needed to tackle stress and improve Iranian medical students' physical and psychological well-being.

No abstract

Objective:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate various genes after binding to target mRNAs. Studies on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in relation with miRNA are much less shown. The aim of the present study was to assess the expression patterns of microRNA 106a and microRNA 362-3p in peripheral blood samples of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients including Crohn’s Disease(CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC).Methods:This study consisted of 32 CD, 32 UC patients and 32 controls. The expression level of the micro-RNAs -106a and -362-3p was determined using reverse transcription and real-time RT-PCR.Results:Our findings showed that MiR-106a and miR-362-3p are expressed at significantly higher levels in the peripheral blood from patients with CD and UC compared to controls. MiR-106a and miR-362-3p expression are also different in the peripheral blood of patients regarding the activity score of the disease. There were significant differences of miR362-3p in active UC relative to inactive UC.Conclusion:Altogether our findings suggest that miR-106a and miR-363-3p can play an important role in the pathogenesis of IBD. The differences in expression of miR106a and miR362-3p in peripheral blood of the UC and CD patients in an active phase in comparison to inactive disease suggest that these miRNAs may be useful as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring the disease activity.

Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of psychological stress and association between the levels of stress and study variables among Gorgan medical students. Materials and methods: All three year medical students (129 basic sciences students) in Gorgan Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of medical Sciences, were asked to complete the Kessler 10 questionnaire. Results: The findings showed mild, moderate and severe stress among 26.22%, 20.50% and 14.75% study subjects. 39.35% of medical students had no stress. There was statistically significant association between year of study and stress levels (p= 0.040). Conclusion: The results indicate that there is a decrease in the psychological health of first year medical students. Provided that stress management courses are organised by medical schools, when the students arrive, they will cope up with the stress in coming years. These courses may reduce the negative effects of stress on medical students. By providing such courses and reducing stress level, medical students may improve their medical education. Key words: Medical students, stress, Gorgan     doi: 10.3126/kumj.v6i3.1726   Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2008), Vol. 6, No. 3, Issue 23, 421-425

This study is a cross sectional and descriptive study. Sample population was the women referred for marriage consultation to Gorgan Marriage Consultation Center in 2004. The prevalence oftoxoplasma antibodies (IgG, IgM) was determined by ELISA method. Blood samples were collected randomly from 300 women referred to the center for consultation. They were transferred to the laboratory for antibodies determination. Gorgan located in north of Iran and south east of Caspian sea. The results showed that the general prevalence to the positive cases based on high titer of IgG was 48.3% and of IgM was 11.7%. There was not any relation between positive cases and age, education, place of residence, job, keeping domestic animals (except cat) vegetable consumption and wash-up, but there was a relation between the positive cases of IgM and keeping cat at home (PV<0.025). More over 51.7% of pregnant women in Gorgan were seronegative and the were prone to acute toxoplasmosis during their pregnancy. The results of this study confirm that the determination of the diagnostic toxoplasmosis is an necessary test during pregnancy.

No abstract

The aim of the present study is to assess and compare the frequencies of the cytochrome P450 CYP2C9 variations in the Baluch ethnic group (n=110) with other ethnic groups. The allele frequencies of CYP2C9*1, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 were 80.90%, 11.82% and 7.27%, respectively. 70.90%, 11.82%, 8.18%, 4.55%, 2.73% and 1.82% of subjects were with CYP2C9*1/*1, CYP2C9*1/*2, CYP2C9*1/*3, CYP2C9*2/*2, CYP2C9*2/*3 and CYP2C9*3/*3 genotypes, respectively. Different mutants may effect on prediction of drug dose requirements in different ethnic groups. Thus, CYP2C9 variants to be determined for findings high risk groups use optimal dosage of drugs metabolized by this polymorphic enzyme.