Potential Use of the Cholesterol Transfer Inhibitor U18666A as a Potent Research Tool for the Study of Cholesterol Mechanisms in Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Cholesterol is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes and a precursor for crucial signaling molecules. The brain contains the highest level of cholesterol in the body, and abnormal cholesterol metabolism links to many neurodegenerative disorders. The results indicate that faulty cholesterol metabolism is a common feature among people living with neurodegenerative conditions.

The prevalence of low physical activity in an urban population and its relationship with other cardiovascular risk factors: Findings of a community-based study (KERCADRS) in southeast of Iran.

Background: The low physical activity (LPA) more or less affects every community. Because of high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in Iran and their relationship with LPA, this study aimed to measure precisely the epidemic size of LPA and determine its relationship with six other coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors among an urban population aged 15 to 75 years in Kerman, Iran.

Methods: Using household survey, 5895 adults were randomly recruited through single-stage cluster sampling from 250 postal codes.

Overweight and obesity prevalence and its predictors in a general population: A community-based study in Kerman, Iran (Kerman coronary artery diseases risk factors studies).

Background: The aim of this study was to present age-sex standardized prevalence of overweight and obesity as well as central obesity and its associated variables in an adult population of Iran.

Methods: Around 5900 adult individuals aged 15-75 years enrolled to the study from 2009 to 2011 applying randomized cluster household survey in Kerman, southeastern of Iran. Overweight was defined as body mass index (BMI) 25-29.

Serum level of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 in addicted patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a glycoprotein with inhibitory effects on the formation of plasmin from plasminogen by plasminogen activator. Thus, it prevents clot lysis in vessel walls. Several evidences prove the relationship between coronary artery disease and response to fibrinolytic therapy in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) with PAI-1 level.

Effect of opium addiction on aspirin resistance in stable angina pectoris.

Background: The rate of cardiovascular diseases in developing countries is approximately 60% and it is still has an increasing trend. The clinical effectiveness of aspirin in preventing cardiovascular events has been well proven. Although aspirin is an effective and inexpensive drug, its consumption is not equally beneficial for all patients.

The effect of opium addiction on arrhythmia following acute myocardial infarction.

The effect of opium addiction on the appearance of different types of arrhythmias after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been assessed in few studies. This study is aimed to determine the effect of opium on post-MI arrhythmia and also to address the differences in the appearance of different types of arrhythmias after AMI between opium addicted and non-addicted patients. In this comparative study, participants were classified into two groups with opium addiction (n=94) and without opium addiction (n=106).

Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors in an Urban and Peri-urban Setting, Kerman, Southeastern Iran (KERCADR Study): Methodology and Preliminary Report.

Background: This article was to present the sampling and measurements methods and the main preliminary findings of the KERCADR cohort study (first round) in an urban and peri-urban setting, Kerman, southeastern Iran 2009-11.

Method: 5900 (3238 female) people aged between 15 to 75 years were recruited in the household survey by non-proportional to size one-stage cluster sampling. Trained internal specialists, general practitioners, clinical psychologists and dentists have assessed the study subjects by person-assisted questionnaires regarding different NCD risk factors including cigarette and opium smoking, physical activity, nutrition habits, anxiety, depression, obesity, hypertension and oral health.

Premature menopause and severity of coronary artery disease.

Background: Relationship between premature menopause and presence, severity and life-threatening events of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been suggested in recent observations. The present study tried to assess relationship between age of menopause and severity of CAD in a sample of women with suspected CAD.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we included 189 consecutive women with suspected CAD that were candidate for coronary angiography and admitted to the Shafa hospital in Kerman city.