Razi Journal of Medical Sciences
Year:2005 | Volume:12 | Issue:45|Papers Count:30

Nearly 7500 new cases of Hodgkin’s disease are diagnosed in the United States annually. This disease is one of the first malignancies and can be cured in about 75% of cases. The main objective of this study was to create a major sight on Hodgkin’s disease, the result of its treatment and its 5 and 10-year survival by considering this point that early diagnosis, on time management of the patients and appropriate treatment will give significant survival to these patients. This retrospective, descriptive, analytical and cross-sectional study was performed in Tabriz Shahid Ghazi Hospital. The needed information was extracted from the patients’ files and specific forms were prepared for gathering data. Response to treatment, DFS (Disease Free Survival) and OS (Overall Survival) were calculated and data was analyzed using SPSS10 software and chi-square test. Of total 180 cases, 121 (67%) were male and 59 (33%) were female. The main age range was 31.8 ±17.1 years. Neck mass (40%) was the common complaint of diagnosis and most of the cases were in stage III. Mixed cellularity (47.2%) was the most common histological subtype. Complete remission with ABVD chemotherapy regimen was prominent and it composed 37.6% of the used chemotherapy regimen. Five and ten-year survival were estimated 65% and 61.3% respectively. The results showed that the occurrence of the Hodgkin’s disease was double in males than in females. Patients under chemotherapy had more favorable complete remission (52.7%) than those treated with other forms of treatment (P=0.002). A significant statistical difference was noted between the used chemotherapy regimen and the rate of complete remission (P=0.04). As a whole, 5-year overall survival was higher in patients treated with ABVD, whereas 10-year survival showed to be higher in cases received C-MOPP regimen. Therefore, the type of chemotherapy does not seem to be an effective factor in overall survival.

Fanconi anemia is the most prevalent form of inherited aplastic anemia which is characterized by progressive bone marrow failure, congenital anomalies and cancer susceptibility. Common anomalies are skeletal abnormalities, skin pigmentation disorder, short stature, head abnormalities, kidney and gonad disorders respectively. Complications of fanconi anemia include: leukemia due to defective DNA repair in approximately 10% of patients, liver tumors in 5% and cancers (except leukemia and liver tumors) in 5%. In addition to clinical and radiologic investigation of children with fanconi anemia, survival, prognostic factors and complications of disease were also determined. This retrospective analytic cross-sectional study was carried out on 36 patients with fanconi anemia who were diagnosed in Ali Asghar Children Hospital from 1985-2002. Data was analyzed by SPSS software and log rank test was used to determine survival, life table and prognostic factors. Skeletal abnormalities were the most common congenital anomalies and other anomalies were skin pigmentation disorder, short stature, kidney disorder, microcephaly and male genital disorder respectively. 5 and 10-year survival rates of patients with fanconi anemia were 80% and 71% respectively. In bivariate analysis, the age at diagnosis correlated with survival rate significantly (P=0.006) and patients with age less than 10 years at diagnosis had more survival rate than others. In our study, The prevalence of kidney disorder as a congenital anomaly is more than other investigations and the frequency of short stature, microcephaly, skin pigmentation and male genitalia disorder is less than others. One of the considerable results of this research was the absence of neoplastic complication in our patients.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the predisposition disease which can lead to opportunistic infection like pathogens parasites. The prevalence of the diabetic patients infected with intestinal parasite in our country is almost undetected and the efficacy of the treatment or preventive methods are obscure. Therefore, this study was undertaken to elucidate the susceptibility and prevalence of diabetic patients infected with intestinal parasites in two cities of Karaj and Savodjbolagh in Tehran province, and also compare the infection level with non-diabetic healthy control group. In this descriptive and comparative study, 500 stool samples [250 (92 men and 158 women) from control and 250 (91 men and 159 women) from diabetic patients] were collected by conventional laboratory methods from June 2001 to 2002. Formalin-ether concentration technique was used for detection of general intestinal ova and parasites and modified acid-fast staining methods were employed for finding the oocysts of cryptosporidium and other intestinal coccidia. The results of this study indicated that intestinal parasites rate in diabetic patients is higher (39: 15.6%) than healthy control group (25: 10%). In the patient group at least one of the following intestinal parasites was observed: Giardia lamblia (9: 3.6%), Entamoeba coli (9: 3.6%), Cryptosporidium (6: 2.45%), Blastocystis hominis(6: 2.4%), Iodamoeba butschlii (2: 0.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (2: 0.8%), Hymenolepis nana (2: 0.8%), 4 nucleited cyst (1: 0.4%), Endolimax nana (1: 0.4%) and Trichomonas hominis (1: 0.4%).

The present descriptive retrospective study was conducted to determine the prevalence of sinusitis and its relationship with bronchial asthma among asthmatic patients between 2 to 16 years of age. Sinusitis was observed in 52 out of 71 patients (73.2%) and the maxillary sinus was the most common involved sinus. The most common finding in Waters X-ray was mucosal wall thickening greater than 6mm. 38.5% of patients with sinusitis had no symptoms or signs of bacterial sinusitis. The most common symptom in asthmatic patients with bacterial sinusitis was constant purulent nasal discharge (40.7%). No statistical difference was found between asthmatic patients with or without sinusitis with regard to severity of asthma and the number of hospital admissions (P>0.05). It is suggested that antibiotic therapy for sinusitis should be administered only to asthmatic patients who do not respond to usual treatment for asthma and have obvious signs of bacterial sinusitis, since the abnormal finding in the Waters X-ray in asthmatic patients may be due to chronic hyperplastic eosinophilic sinusitis (CHS).

The main objective of he present research was to compare the nutritional pattern of school children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with that of normal children. In this study 400 school-age children who were between 7 to 9 years were randomly selected from three primary schools in city of Ahvaz. Children’s parents and teachers completed socio-economic, food frequency, anthropometric and psychologic scoring questionnaires. Results showed that there is a significant relationship between parental literacy and the severity of disorder, i.e. mothers with higher education and occupation levels had more normal children (P<0.01). Food allergy history among ADHD children was 2.5 times more than that of normal subjects. Breakfast consumption significantly correlated with lower severity of ADHD in boys (P<0.01). On the other hand, more daily sugar consumption increased the level of disorder in school girls but not in boys (P<0.001). Drinking more than 3 cups of tea a day was associated with increased severity of ADHD in boys (P<0.05). Food additives, colors and natural salicylates in daily food pattern of all cases were not related to severity and degree of ADHD. In conclusion, it seems that breakfast consumption is a strong positive healthy habit in school children and can lessen the disorder, while frequent tea and sugar consumption has negative effect on severity of ADHD. Also, parents must pay attention to their children’s food allergies.

Harlequin Ichthyosis (HI) describes a severe erythrodermic ichthyosis and causes a distinctive and grotesque appearance at birth. Survival is now possible; therefore, harlequin ichthyosis is a more appropriate term than harlequin fetus. Incidence is 1 in 300,000 births. An autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance is seen in this disorder, but a new autosomal dominant mutation may possibly be responsible. The prognosis is ominous and most of the affected neonates die in the first hours or days of life. In this case report we present two cases of HI who were the first and the second baby of a family and their parents were cousins.

Supra-Choroidal Hemorrhage (SCH) is a potentially serious complication of intra-ocular surgeries, including scleral buckling(SB) with several effects on surgical and visual outcome. The present retrospective case-control study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of SCH due to SB in Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital using medical records during 1989-1998. 504 eyes of 488 patients who underwent SB procedure for rhematogenous retinal detachment were evaluated. 161(33%) patients were female and 327(67%) were male with mean age of 43.1 ±20.9 years. SCH occurred during SB in 12 cases and the prevalence was 2.4%. Mean age of SCH group was significantly higher than that of controls (59.8, 42.7; P=0.004). History of SCH in the same or fellow eye was also significantly higher in SCH group (16.7%, 0.6%; P=0.005) with odds ratio of 19.96. Sex, history of diabetes, hypertension, history of cerebrovascular accident, cardiopulmonary diseases or surgery, type of anesthesia, band usage and amount of myopia are the variables which were not statistically different between the two groups(P>0.05). Older age and history of SCH in the same or fellow eye are considered to be risk factors of SCH during SB.

Patients’ comfort is an integral part of nursing care and a valued outcome of nursing actions. This article is part of a larger study which aimed to explore patients’ experiences and perceptions of comfort and discomfort. A qualitative approach using grounded theory was adopted. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews and participants’ observations. A purposive sample of 31 medical-surgical patients, and also 10 relatives who were subjected to questions and constant comparative analysis were selected from 5 educational health centers. Data analysis uncovered a number of themes. The theme of patients’ perceptions and experiences with nurses is the subject of this paper. The other four themes of a comforting nurse were: availability, monitoring, humanistic approach and providing physical comfort. The findings of this study help nurses to know the patients and their needs better and also to find what comfort means to them. Consequently, nurses can plan, imply and evaluate nursing interventions most appropriately.

Pneumonia is the most common fatal respiratory infection. More than 2 million children under the age of 5 die from pneumonia every year and about 70-75% of these deaths occur in infants. According to previous studies, mothers’ insufficient knowledge about pneumonia and lack of necessary care may worsen the disease in their infants. Therefore, the present clinical trial study was carried out to determine the effects of designed care plan on the clinical condition of infants suffering from pneumonia in Children Medical Center in Tehran. Patients were 66 infants with the age span between 1-12 months who suffered from pneumonia. They were selected together with their mothers via random allocation technique and were assigned into two groups of experimental and control. Data collection tools were questionnaire, checklist and observational-interviewing checklist. The designed care plan was taught both theoretically and practically in experimental group with an eye to the strengths and weaknesses of mothers’ perfomance at home, while the control group had taken only ordinary care from their mothers. Every examining unit was followed up for 3 months after intervention. The data concerning infant clinical condition was gathered in repeated measurements before and after intervention. Independent T-test with repeated measurement and ANOVA indicated that there was a significant difference between experimental and control group in infant clinical condition parameters including cough, sputum, hyporexia, respiratory pattern, fever, respiratory rate, pulse rate, and temperature after intervention (P<0.05). According to the results, it can be claimed that using a designed care plan is an effective approach in improvement of clinical condition in infants suffering from pneumonia in our samples.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) drugs like captopril are proposed as a resistant factor against the effect of erythropoietin. As these groups are used as a choice to treat hypertension, so conducting more studies with regard to their effects on erythropoietin efficacy is important. This interventional study was performed on 19 patients with chronic hemodialysis. Patients were divided into two groups; 9 cases received the low dose captopril (6.25% mg/daily) and 10 cases received high dose (25mg/TDS). None of the patients had any acute inflammatory or infectious process, iron deficiency and other causes of anemia at the time of study. They were followed for 3 months and their hematocrit was measured before intervention at the end of the first, the second and the third months. Erythropoietin dose was constant during 3 months. To analyse the data, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were used with the significant level of 5%. The mean of hematocrit changes in patients with low dose captopril was 1.1 in the first month with standard deviation (SD) of 3.07 (P=0.325), in the second month 1.46 with SD of 3.42 (P=0.27) and in the third month was 0.9 with SD of 4.44 (P=0.495). None of the changes was statistically significant. The mean of changes in cases with high dose captopril was 1.45 in the first month with SD of 3.76 (P=0.26), in the second month 1.40 with SD of 4.76 (P=0.528) and in the third month was 0.87 with SD of 4.79 (P=0.838). In this group, none of the changes was statistically significant. In conclusion, it seems captopril with high and low doses of treatment does not reduce hematocrit in the hemodialysis patients receiving the synthetic erythropoietin.

Vast number of school-aged children in developing countries face major health and nutrition problems. Many of these children have a history of PEM as well as nutritional deficiencies of vitamin A and iron. These conditions are exacerbated by helminths infection which is highly prevalent among school-aged children and particularly inimical to their healthy growth, development and educational progress. Yet, large parasite burdens, particularly severe hookworm infection, are associated with impaired cognitive function as well as educational outcome measures such as absenteeism, under-enrollment, and attrition. Thus, helminthic infection appears to constitute a very real barrier to children’s progress in school. In this study a total number of 555 students were selected by random sampling in Robat Karim city. Data was collected by using questionnaires and face to face interviews with children’s mothers. The stool specimens, collected fresh in paper cups, were examined by formol-ether concentration and for diagnosis of oxyuriasis the adhesive cellophane tape was applied. Nutritional status of the students was determined based on anthropometric measurement. Any students whose weight or height was less than -2SD, expected for the given age, was regarded as being malnourished. The results showed that nutritional status of the students on the base of height for age was 6.5% and on the base of weight for height was 9.6% which showed malnutrition. The prevalence of parasites infection was 49.6% including 23% pathogen, 18.5% giardiasis (CI 15.2-22.3) and 4.5% hymenolepis nana (CI 2.8-6.7). 26.6% non pathogen included 19.8% antamobacoli (CI 16.4-23.6), 3.1% andolimax (CI 1.7-5.1), 1.4% iodoambabutchili (CI 0.57-2.9) and the others were less than 1%. The prevalence of oxyuriasis based on cellophane tape was 38.9%. Therefore, the total rate pathogen parasitic infection among students was 61.9%. The prevalence of malnutrition on the base of weight for height was higher in the boys than in the girls and the prevalence of parasites infection was significantly higher in the boys (51.1%) (CI 44.9-57.2) than in the girls (42.3%) (CI 35.7-49) P<0.05). A significant relationship was found between malnutrition (height for age) and parasitic infection P<0.013. There was also a significant relationship between malnutrition (weight for age) and oxyuriasis P<0.006. Consequently, compensatory strategies must be developed to improve health quality.

Preparation conditions and platelet storage for transfusion may cause platelet activation, which contributes to decreased ability of stored platelet to function and survive in vivo after transfusion compared with that seen with freshly prepared platelets. Using flowcytometry, we investigated platelet membrane expression of CD62P, CD63 in platelet stored for up to 3 days under standard blood banking conditions. Leukocyte reduction of platelet before transfusion is a routine procedure in many blood transfusion centers to prevent leukocyte side-effects. Twenty-four platelet units prepared by platelet-rich plasma were processed by in-line leukdepletion using an LRP10SE-Pall filter. The filtered and unfiltered platelet concentrates were compared during storage for CD62P, CD63 markers and pH. During storage for up to 3 days, leukdepleted platelet units displayed no significant pH difference in comparison with routine platelet preparation (P>0.05). During storage for up to 3 days (1, 3 days) leukdepleted platelet units displayed a decrease in the CD62P and CD63 expressions as compared with routine platelet preparation (P<0.05). There has been concern that filtration of platelet concentrates might activate platelets through direct contact with the filter. On the other hand, prestorage filtration removal of leukocyte might actually decrease platelet activation and preserve platelet function. This data has shown no platelet activation after filtration and measurement of CD62P and CD63 expressions; moreover, these markers can act as a useful in vitro mean to determine the quality of platelet components. In fact, the present research aimed at studying the effect of prestorage filtration on platelet activation in platelet concentrates.

The present study was undertaken to analyze the status of immune system (responses & deficiencies) in children with Giardiasis aged between 2 to 9 years for probable correlation between blood serum & cellular elements and Giardiasis infection. With approval of Giardiasis through utilizing classic laboratory methods within parasitologic domains, blood samples of the affected children with Giardiasis underwent precise laboratory analysis with regard to blood cells counts (lymphocytes, monocytes, polynuclear cells, and blood white cells) and serum factors (immunoglobulins & complement components). These examinations showed that blood of the affected children with Giardiasis has a significant reduction in view of lymphocyte and monocyte, whilst otherwise, white cells and polynuclear cells showed no significant alterations. Similarly, serum analysis defined significant reduction in C3 and C4 complement components. In contrast, despite observing insignificant alterations in amount of IgG, serum level of IgE, IgM, IgA immunoglobulins increased significantly. These alterations may be related to cellular immune function (reactions), helper T cells (Th1), monocytes and complement system. On the contrary, helper T cells (Th2) functions and subsequently humoral immune response in patients with Giardiasis were normal and showed no disorder.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, particulary tumors endemic to the Far East, commonly harbors Epstein-Barr virus. The detection of nuclear antigen associated with EBV and viral DNA in NPC cells have revealed that EBV can infect epithelial cells and is associated with transformation. Human papilloma virus is an epitheliotrophic oncogenic virus that has been detected in a variety of head and neck tumors. This retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of EBV and HPV infection subtypes 6/11 and 16/18. in 20 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma by in situ hybridization. 16 case (80%) were classified as undifferentiated carcinoma (WHO type III) and 4 (20%) as non keratinizing SCC (WHO type II). According to AJCC (American Joint Committee of Cancer) system the clinical stage at presentation was available for 20 patients: 10% presented with stage I, 5% presented with stage II, 25% presented with stage III and 60% presented with stage IV. 55% of the cases presented with palpable cervical lymph node metastasis. In situ hybridization for EBER was performed with a fluorescien-conjugated PNA probe. EBER expression was detected in 19 of the 20 evaluated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (95%). Thyramid signal amplification of ISH was performed for HPV DNA subtype 6/11 and 16/18 with a biotinylated DNA probe. Two of 20 NPC (10%) contained HPV 6/11 sequences and two of 20 NPC (10%) contained HPV 16/18 sequences and combined EBV and HPV infection was detected in 3 of the 20 (15%) patients. In this study a high correlation of almost 95% was observed between EBV and NPC type II & III, in WHO classification. Combined EBV and HPV infection was detected only in 15% of patients. There seems to be a geographic difference in positive rates between our results and those obtained from high-risk area.

The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of endurance exercises on static and dynamic endurance of back extensor muscles in two genders. This study with quasi-experimental repeated measure design was conducted on 20 men and 20 women as non convenience sampling. Dynamic and static back extensor tests were used for endurance measurement and following exercises, repeated measurement was done after the 5th and 10th sessions. A significant difference was found between 1st and 10th session in two groups but static and dynamic endurance had no difference in two groups. These results suggest that muscle endurance is the same in two genders and the affected pattern is similar in two groups.

Malassezia is a lipophilic fungus which has different species. Some of them can be found as a natural flora on skin and in an opportunistic condition may cause pityriasis versicolor. The present study was undertaken to identify, diagnose and determine the prevalence of different species of malassezia in patients referred to laboratory of medical mycology at the University of Shiraz during 12-month period. Out of 185 patients suspected to have pityriasis versicolor, only 98 patients were diagnosed to have it. Among these patients, 56 were female (51.4%) and 42 were male (55.3%). Patients’ age ranged between 13 to 55 with average of 25.78 years. Dixon Agar media was used for sample culture and in addition to morphological study, other tests such as Tween absorbance, catalase and esculin hydrolysis were performed to separate different species of malassezia including; malassezia furfur (34%), malassezia slooffiae (18.7%), malassezia sympodialis (18.6%), malassezia globosa (17.59%), malassezia pakidermatis (5.4%) and malassezia restrikta (4.3%) from different parts of the body. Factors such as: age, sex, job, education, the use of pool, season of the year and geographic region were also evaluated by using different statistical methods such as: chi-squared test, Fisher & T-test. Results revealed that the use of pool and season of the year were the effective causes of the disease.

The present study was undertaken to compare complications of folly catheter removal 24 hours versus 72 hours after cystocele repair and Kelly plication. A randomized clinical trial study was performed in Shahid Akbar Abadi Hospital on 83 patients with cystocele repair and Kelly plication due to stress urinary incontinence. The patients were divided randomly into two groups. In 34 patients folly catheter was removed 24 hours after the operation of cystocele repair and Kelly plication and in 49 patients after 72 hours. The complications after catheter removal including dysuria, supra pubic pain, urinary retention and urinary infection were compared in two groups. The patients in two groups were similar in terms of age, parity and cystocele grading. The complications (including dysuria, supra pubic pain, urinary retention and urinary infection) did not statistically show any significant difference between two groups. In conclusion, folly catheter removal 24 hours after cystocele repair and Kelly plication do not have any significant adverse effects and reduce hospital cost, hospital stay duration and the risk of infection.

Considering the significance of blood component therapy in neonates and the potential risks of transfusion in this patient group and due to having little information about the types of blood component used in neonatal unit, this descriptive study was carried out at Beheshti Hospital in Kashan from 2000 to 2001. The name of the neonates who received transfusion was obtained from the blood bank of the hospital. Information concerning the type of blood product, frequency and indication of transfusion, sex, gestational age and weight of infants was recorded in questionnaire and later analyzed. Of 541 neonates admitted during one year, 118 (68 male, 50 female) received blood components. Fifty-four percent received one, 35% two and 11% received three types of blood components. The frequency of transfusion was 311 times and the most common used blood products were fresh frozen plasma (49%), red blood cell (33%), whole blood (14%) and platelets (4%). All the blood products except whole blood were used more in premature and low birth weight infants. Transfusion appropriateness of red cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets and whole blood were 92%, 88%, 100% and 91% respectively. Premature and low birth weight infants were the most transfused group of patients. Considering the known and unknown complications of blood products, the indications of transfusion should be real and with limited donor exposure.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a frequent X-chromosome-linked enzyme abnormality. G6PD is the first key enzyme in the pentose phosphate metabolic pathway and is involved in the generation of NADPH, which is indispensable for biosynthesis of reduced glutathione (GSH). GSH prevents hemoglobin denaturation, preserves the integrity of red blood cell (RBC) membrane sulfhydryl groups and detoxifies hydrogen peroxide and free radicals in and on the RBC. G6PD deficiency possibly results in acute hemolysis after exposure to various oxidative stress, including infections, drugs or chemical substances and fava beans (favism). This study aimed to assess the prevalence rate of G6PD deficiency in geographic sections of Neyshaboor city (north-east of Iran). In this investigation 537 apparently healthy male volunteers, ranging from 1 day to 15 years of age, were randomly selected from Neyshaboor. The screening method for G6PD deficiency was performed by the fluorescent spot test. The overall prevalence rate of this deficiency was determinted to be 22.8% out of which 6% was severely deficient (class 2) and 16.8% was moderately-to-mildly deficient (class 3). This prevalence rate (22.8%) was found to be higher than those reported in other parts of Iran, which ranges from less than 1% in Makoo city (north-west of Iran) to 20% in Iranshahr city (south-east of Iran). Probably the prevalence rate of G6PD deficiency in east of Iran is higher than west. The results of this investigation, obtained via administering chi-squared test, did not show any significant relevance between prevalence rate of G6PD deficiency (P=0.266) and geographic area (P=0.266) or age groups (P=0.350).

Although cataract is very common and its detection seems apparently easy especially in the mature cataract, its quantitative description to determine the critical value of diagnosis is too difficult. Non-invasive evaluation of the mechanical properties of eye is hampered by the absence of in-vivo methods for direct assessment of the axial length of eye, lens and cornea. In the present study, firstly, rabbits’ eyes were suggested to create cataract. Then, through a non-invasive method the elastic parameters of the cataract eyes were estimated. 12 male rabbits (3 months old, New Zealand white/Dutch) were chosen in order to create and control the trend of cataract and Lux-metry. After the injection of formalin (20%) to the lens of each rabbit, the results showed that the intensity of the reflected light from the rabbits’ eye had descending trend, and after one hour a mature cataract was confirmed. To assess Δ d, a planning loading system was designed. Ultrasound images of A-mode with the mechanical probe and the frequencies of 8 and 10MHz were taken before and after applying the stress and saved into the computer by median board. With processing its imaging before and after applying the stress the axial length changes of eye (Δ d) was estimated in in vivo and in vitro conditions. The mean axial length of the cataract eye in vivo and in vitro were 19.71 ±0.32 and 18.81±0.44mm, respectively (P>0.05), which indicated that there was no significant difference between these two conditions. Regarding the applied stress, the mean elastic modulus of the cataract eye in in vivo and in vitro conditions were 84004±17656 and 106864±33346 Pascal respectively (P>0.05), which showed that there was no significant difference between in vivo and in vitro conditions. Results of the present study showed that with applying limited stress, processing the ultrasound images, assessing the amount of strain and assuming an elastic structure for eye, it is possible to estimate its elastic parameters through a complete non-invasive method. Since, in the cataract eye, any change in the elasticity of the lens will change the acoustic properties of the tissue including the velocity, this new method may be useful in the exact determination of the acoustic parameters based on the elastic module and may increase the preciseness of the ultrasound systems. It may further be effective in making the lens after surgery.

The objective of the present study was to compare the incidence of RDS in preterm infants born during the first 24 hours of dexamethasone administration with those whose mothers did not receive any dexamethasone. A clinical trial study was performed on pregnant women admitted to Shahid Akbar Abadi Hospital between Sep.1999 and Sep.2000 with preterm labor at 30-36 weeks of pregnancy. In dexamethasone group, this drug was administered 5 mg every 12 hours intra muscularly, while control group did not receive dexamethasone. 100 patients who delivered during the first 24 hours of dexamethasone administration (experimental group) and 70 patients without dexamethasone administration and delivery within 24 hours of admission (control group) were selected and RDS in their neonates was compared. Also, the relationship between RDS and the route of delivery and the sex of neonates was evaluated. Based on the obtained results, in dexa group, RDS was 15% versus 27.1% in control group which was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). In 30-31.6 weeks of pregnancy, there was 18.9% RDS in dexa group versus 35% in control group (P=0.001). In 32-33.6 weeks of pregnancy, there was 14.3% RDS in dexa group versus 30.7% in control group (P=0.001) and in 34-36 weeks of pregnancy, there was 10.7% RDS in dexa group versus 16.7% in control group which in all gestational age was statistically significant difference (P=0.004). RDS in males was more prevalent than in females (P=0.001) and neonates who were born by cesarean section suffered from RDS more than vaginally born neonates (P=0.005). According to this study, it is better to administer corticosteroids in patients who are believed that their delivery occurs less than 24 hours of drug administration.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between gestational age and the length of fetal’s kidney in order to be able to have access to the size of the fetal’s kidney at any age. This assessment is helpful to diagnose the anomalies of the fetal’s kidney and makes it possible to consider the length of the fetal’s kidney as a biometric criterion to estimate the age of pregnancy. In order to substantiate this, the length of the fetal’s kidney in 138 normal pregnancies which were between 20 to 40 weeks old was gauged. Scrutinizing the information made it clear that there was a direct and signficant relationship between the age of pregnancy and the length of fetal’s kidney (r=0.95, P<0.001). In this study the average length changes spectrum of the fetal’s kidney was calculated according to any age at the second half of pregnancy. The fetal age was approximately estimated according to the length of the fetal’s kidney. However, the exact spectrum of the changes of the fetal age could not be achieved in this study; therefore, more comprehesive and fully directed studies are needed.

The increasing presence of low intensity uniform magnetic fields in different environments such as factories, industries, hospitals, in transport and electrical devices and medical application has become so important. Therefore, conducting an investigation on the effects of magnetic fields on properties and revenues of human body’s different tissues, especially nerve tissue, seems necessary from protection and medical application viewpoint. In this respect, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of low intensity uniform magnetic fields on nerve signals’ electrical conduction velocity. In this study, 0.5mT magnetic field was exposed on neuromuscular junction of abductor polices brevies muscle and median peripheral motor nerve. The latency and nerve electrical conduction velocity in left wrist of 30 healthy men, before and after exposure to the magnetic field was measured by stimulating and recording device (Cadwell 5200 A). The results indicated that magnetic field causes decrease in nerve signals electrical conduction velocity due to increase of neuromuscular neurotransmitters revenues, latency or increase of muscular fibers signal transmission latency (P<0.05). Increase in latency and decrease of electrical conduction velocity in neuromuscular junction may be due to the Lorants force effect of magnetic field on neuro transmitters (such as acetylcholine) or increasing neuromuscular space distance. Also, the increase of muscle fibers signals transmission latency may be due to Ca2+ concentration or fibers excitability level changes.

Unwanted pregnancies are one of the major problems in developing countries and have effects on population growth and maternal child health. Population of many poor countries will double in less than 20 years due to the mentioned problem. Determining frequency of this type of pregnancies can provide a basic piece of information about population growth problems and can help us with conducting proper plans for its control. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of unwanted pregnancies and related factors in two big hospitals of Iran University of Medical Sciences. In this cross-sectional study 410 women who were between 16 to 45 years of age were assessed in Akbar Abadi and Rasoul-e-Akram Hospitals in 2002. Method of sampling was non probability and method of collecting and assembling data was interview and form respectively. STATA software and chi-square test were used for data analysis. Overall, unwanted pregnancy ratio was 26.9%. 42% of women with unwanted pregnancy used modern contraception methods, 53.8% of them used the methods in a wrong way and 19.3% of women had at least one abortion in their medical histories. There was a significant correlation between unwanted pregnancy and women’s age and job, husband’s level of education and parity. By considering high rate of unwanted pregnancy in this study, making women aware of proper use of modern contraception methods is suggested. Also, increasing literacy level of women and their husbands and establishing proper job opportunities for them, can decrease unwanted pregnancy ratio during long-time period.

A potential relationship between chronic infection with chlamydia pneumonia (CP) and atherosclerosis has been suggested by seroepidemiologic, pathologic and animal studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relation between antichlamydia antibody in patients with coronary events. This research was performed as a retrospective, case-control study on the blood samples from 87 individuals in three group: 29 individuals with acute myocardial infarction, 29 with chronic stable angina and 29 healthy individuals in control group. These 3 groups were matched in terms of age, sex and major cardiovascular risk factors. After assembling samples, IgG antibody concentration against CP was measured in the sera by Elisa and based on the used kit. Serum antibody ranges higher than or equal to 5 unit per milliliter were considered as positive. Data analysis was carried out via Instat software, one-way ANOVA, and K2 test with statistical significant level of P<0.05. In group with acute myocardial infarction, seropositivity to CP was 100%, in group with chronic stable angina 65.5% and in control group was 30%. These differences were statistically significant with P<0.001. Mean antibody levels were 34.7, 11.4 and 3.61u/ml respectively and the difference between these 3 levels was significant (P<0.001). These results show that anti CP antibody can be seen in a considerable number of patients with coronary artery disease. Also, CP antibody level is expected to have a positive correlation with coronary events including acute myocardial infarction.