Babol University of Medical Sciences

About: Babol University of Medical Sciences is a education organization based out in Babol, Iran. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 3195 authors who have published 4005 publications receiving 39888 citations.

A brief review of influenza virus infection

Abstract: Influenza is an acute viral respiratory infection that affects all age groups and is associated with high mortality during pandemics, epidemics, and sporadic outbreaks. Nearly 10% of the world's population is affected by influenza annually, with about half a million deaths each year. Influenza vaccination is the most effective method for preventing influenza infection and its complications. The influenza vaccine's efficacy varies each season based on the circulating influenza strains and vaccine uptake rates. Currently, three antiviral drugs targeting the influenza virus surface glycoprotein neuraminidase are available for treatment and prophylaxis of disease. Given the significant burden of influenza infection globally, this review is focused on the latest findings in the etiology, epidemiology, transmission, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of influenza.

Prevalences of overweight and obesity and their association with physical activity pattern among Iranian adolescents aged 12-17 years.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalences of overweight and obesity and their association with physical activity pattern among adolescents in northern Iran. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Babol, northern Iran. SUBJECTS: A representative sample of 1200 adolescents aged 12-17 years was recruited. All selected adolescents were interviewed, their leisure-time and sport physical activities were collected by a standard Baecke questionnaire and their height and weight were measured by standard methods. The diagnosis of overweight and obesity was determined by comparing BMI values with the BMI index for age and sex percentiles set by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2000. RESULTS: The prevalences of overweight and obesity were 15.1 % and 8.3 %, respectively. The proportion of obesity was significantly higher in boys than in girls (10.2 % v. 6.5 %, P = 0.028). Overall, the levels of high, moderate and low leisure-time physical activity were 2.9 %, 79.4 % and 17.7 %, respectively. The corresponding levels of high, moderate and low sport physical activity were 17.4 %, 75.2 % and 7.4 %. The levels of leisure-time and sport physical activities were significantly higher among the boys than the girls (P < 0.001). There was also a significant association of studying in private schools and playing computer games with overweight/obesity (P < 0.001). Moderate leisure-time physical activity was unexpectedly associated with a greater risk of overweight/obesity compared with the low level (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate a high prevalence of overweight/obesity in these Iranian adolescents, particularly the boys. The influence of physical activity and diet on overweight/obesity requires further prospective studies.

On the mechanisms of melatonin in protection of aluminum phosphide cardiotoxicity

Abstract: Aluminum phosphide (AlP), one of the most commonly used pesticides worldwide, has been the leading cause of self-poisoning mortalities among many Asian countries The heart is the main organ affected in AlP poisoning Melatonin has been previously shown to be beneficial in reversing toxic changes in the heart The present study reveals evidence on the probable protective effects of melatonin on AlP-induced cardiotoxicity in rats The study groups included a control (almond oil only), ethanol 5% (solvent), sole melatonin (50 mg/kg), AlP (167 mg/kg), and 4 AlP + melatonin groups which received 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/kg of melatonin by intraperitoneal injections following AlP treatment An electronic cardiovascular monitoring device was used to record the electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters Heart tissues were studied in terms of oxidative stress biomarkers, mitochondrial complexes activities, ADP/ATP ratio and apoptosis Abnormal ECG records as well as declined heart rate and blood pressure were found to be related to AlP administration Based on the results, melatonin was highly effective in controlling AlP-induced changes in the study groups Significant improvements were observed in the activities of mitochondrial complexes, oxidative stress biomarkers, the activities of caspases 3 and 9, and ADP/ATP ratio following treatment with melatonin at doses of 40 and 50 mg/kg Our results indicate that melatonin can counteract the AlP-induced oxidative damage in the heart This is mainly done by maintaining the normal balance of intracellular ATP as well as the prevention of oxidative damage Further research is warranted to evaluate the possibility of using melatonin as an antidote in AlP poisoning

Association of educational level with risk of obesity and abdominal obesity in Iranian adults.

Abstract: Background The impact of education on obesity may vary according to population and geographic region. The objective of the present study was to determine the association between education and obesity. Methods A cross-sectional study of 3600 subjects aged 20–70 years was conducted by using a cluster sampling technique in an adult population residing in the north of Iran, in 2004. Weight, height, waist and hip circumference were measured and data concerning education level, demographic characteristics and physical activities were collected by interview. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between education and general obesity (body mass index 30) as well as abdominal obesity (waist circumference .88 cm in women and 102 cm in men). Results The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for general obesity at education level of high school and college compared with illiterate and primary level was 0.55 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.43–0.71]. A greater negative association was observed for education at university level (OR ¼ 0.32, 95% CI: 0.22–0.47) irrespective to sex. However, with regard to abdominal obesity, after controlling for confounding factors, the adjusted OR for education at university level remained significant only in women but not in men. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that education level is inversely associated with general obesity in both sexes but with abdominal