Hormozgan Medical Journal
Year:2009 | Volume:13 | Issue:1|Papers Count:11

Introduction: Melanoids was previously found in Hormozgan province. In Khuzestan province up to 2.9% of these snails were infected to cercaria of trematodes but there was not any report about its parasitologic aspects in Hormozgan province. This study was performed to find ecological and paeasitological aspects of Melanoides tuberculata in Hormozgan province south of Iran. Methods: In this descriptive study 223 snails were collected from 6 points in Bandar Abbas district. Upon diagnosis of 208 snails as Melanoides tuberculata in laboratory they were crushed and their probable cercaria was checked out by a dissecting microscope. The data were analyzed using Geographic Information System (GIS) and other ecological information of the region. Results: From 208 Melanoids snails 43 cases (20.67%) were infected with trematodes larval stage.Conclusion: These cercarias were classified as Gymnocephalus and Xiphydiocarcaria. It is possible that in special situations these parasites infect the people.

Introduction: Malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world and kills a large number of People annually. Diagnosis of the disease is performed by microscopic and molecular methods. This study has been designed for detecting of latent/sub-patent infection caused by plasmodium vivax in individuals with history of vivax malaria without any clinical signs by means of microscopic and molecular methods. Methods: In this descriptive study the blood samples of 38 individuals from Parsabad (Ardabil province) and Kaleiber (East Azarbayejan province) has been collected one year after primary diagnosis of vivax malaria and effective treatment of the diseases based on the standard country's protocol as well as upon primary microscopic detection of thin and thick blood smears. They were assessed by Nested-PCR method in Pastor Institute of Iran. Results: All samples were negative by microscopic method; we found one vivax positive case via Nested-PCR. Conclusion: Microscopic examination is a selective and standard method in malaria diagnosis. Due to the probability of existence of latent/sub-patent infection in endemic areas and microscopic misdiagnosis of thin and thick blood smears and epidemiologic importance of malaria diagnosis the use of molecular methods such as Nested-PCR in individuals with history of vivax malaria to detect any latent/sub/patent infection seems to be beneficial.

Introduction: Icterus is the most common medical problem in neonates. Phototherapy is standard treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. This study aims to compare efficacy and length of hospitalization of double and triple phototherapy in term newborns with indirect hyperbilirubinemia.Methods: In a randomized clinical trial 40 healthy term newborns (gestational age>37 weeks) with weight³2500 gr and bilirubin³12 and ³15 mg/dl in the second and third day respectively were randomly assigned to triple (n=20) or double phototherapy (n=20) groups. Total and direct serum bilirubin was measured at admission 8 16 and 24 hours after beginning of phototherapy and thus each 12 hours until discharge (when bilirubin reached £10 mg/dl). The data were analyzed by repeated measurement and T-Test. Results: The repeated measurement test showed that the phototherapy reduced indirect bilirubin in both groups (P< 0.000). There was no difference in mean of both weigh, time of Icter and mean of total bilirubin in scheduled time between triple and double groups.Conclusion: Triple phototherapy failed to reduce total serum bilirubin and shorten length of hospitalization more rapidly than double phtototherapy.

Introduction: Prolonged use of licorice is known to cause headaches hypertension cardiac arrhythmias edema lethargy shortness of breath sodium retention and loss of potassium in healthy people. However to best of authors' knowledge to date the potential adverse health effects of occupational inhalation exposure to licorice dust have not been examined. This study was therefore under look to address this issue. Methods: In this cross-sectional study the individuals (30 workers) occupationally exposed to licorice dust at a licorice-producing plant in Shiraz were recruited. Similarly 30 healthy male unexposed employees at a telecommunication industry with identical demographic and socioeconomic substance served as control group. A pre-designed questionnaire was completed for both groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured. Additionally they underwent electrocardiography clinical examination and blood chemistry test. To assess the extent to which subjects had been exposed to licorice dust atmospheric concentrations of this aerosol were also measured in the plant. Data were statistically analyzed using INSTAT software. Results: While there was no significant differences between exposed and control group as far as demographic variables are concerned mean values for systolic and diastolic blood pressure of exposed subjects were significantly higher than those of the control subjects. Similarly blood analysis revealed that serum concentrations of potassium ion as well as platelet counts were significantly lower in exposed subjects than controls. Analysis of the questionnaires also demonstrated that symptoms such as headache lethargy and vertigo were more common in exposed subjects. No abnormal changes in electrocardiographs were noted in both the groups. Conclusion: Collectively our findings provide evidence in favor of the notion that inhalation exposure to high concentrations of licorice dust is associated with higher prevalence of headache lethargy and vertigo as well as raised blood pressure and hypokalemia. Although none of these changes reached to a level with pathological significance. Additionally these findings indicate that licorice induces mild thrombocypenia.

Introduction: Control of population growth rate and unwanted pregnancies (UWPs) is one of the most important priorities in developing countries. According to the last national health surveys in Iran Hormozgan province has the second leading population growth rate. Although several surveys have been conducted on prevalence UWPs in other provinces but there is no one in this province. The purpose of this study was to estimate the proportion of UWPs the pattern of help-seeking related behavior and its related factors among pregnant women.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which was conducted in Bandar Abbas in 2004. Stratified random sampling was performed to select 530 women referred to all of eight health care centers of the city. All of the cases were interviewed about their wanted or unwanted pregnancy or possibility of any action for illegal abortion. Their data were recorded in a pre-designed questionnaire. Chi-square and fisher's pair wise comparison tests were used for analysis. Results: In this study 141 (26.6%) of all cases were UWPs of which 64 (45.4%) resorted to abortion. Of which 43 (67.2%) had used herbal medications 10 (15.6%) chemical medications and 7 (11%) sharp vehicles to induce illegal abortion. Most of all cases with UWPs were in illiterate or very low educated (primary school) group or in high educated group (P< 0.008). More than 50% (n=71) of women with UWPs had not used any contraceptive method.Conclusion: Most of women with UWPs turn to avoid unwanted births. The provision of family planning counseling and information could substantially reduce the rate of unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion.

Introduction: Sudden cardiac death is common in patients on hemodialysis and may occur in the immediate post dialysis period when ventricular premature complexes are common. QT dispersion reflecting hetovogelity in ventricle repolarization has been used for predicting patients with risk of malignant arrhythmia and sudden death. The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of hemodialysis on QT dispersion (QTd) corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) and maximum QTc (QTcMax) in chronic hemodialysis patients. Methods: In this deh1ive-analytic study data of 48 patients (30 male and 18 female patients with mean age 43±16 yr) on chronic hemodialysis were studied. 12 lead ECG were recorded 5-10 minutes before and after hemodialysis in a standard setting and Na+ K+ Ca++ Po4 and Mg++ levels were also determined pre and post hemodialysis. During hemodialysis no drug therapy was used except isotonic and hypertonic NaCl infusions and sodium heparin. The maintenance drug therapy including digitalis antihypertensive antianginal and beta blocking agents was not changed. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The maximal QTd interval changed significantly from 434±12.8 ms to 443±21.33 ms (P<0.001). The QTd increased significantly from 55.87±7.5 ms to 61.27±9.09 ms (p<0.001) and QTcd from 61.18±43 ms to 68.79±10.32 ms (p<0.001). 33.33% of the patients before and 47.90% after hemodialysis had QTcMax more than 440 ms.Conclusion: Hemodialysis incrases the QTd, QTcd and QTcMax in patients with end-stage renal failure, Tuse it is likely that heterogeneity of regional ventricular repolarization increases during hemodialysis.

Introduction: The performance of respirator-face piece is depending on a good contact between the worker's face and the respirator. Improper sealing can cause reduction in performance of respirators to protect health and safety of workers against risks related to chemical agents at work. This study is aimed to evaluate the fitness of half-face respirators and other related factors on it in an Iranian petrochemical industry. Methods: In this cross sectional study 54 persons using half mask in a petrochemical complex were evaluated qualitatively by means of Moldex Kit. The effect of staff training on adjusting and doing seal-check and effects of facial hair and different mask's brand used in the industry on respirator fit was investigated. The data were analyzed using Chi-square and McNemar tests by means of SPSS software. Results: Before intervention 17 (31.5%) of staff out of 54 passed the test. After training the results improved from 31.5% to 92.6% (P<0.05). Respirator-face seal in clean-shaven and bearded employees as well as relation of fit test results to different mask’s brand using in the industry was not significant.Conclusion: staff training about providing fit can improve the performance of selection of respirators. Furthermore, by carrying out fit testing as as a part pf initial selection of respirators, it will be possible to check that the mask size and model chosen fit properly with the face.

Introduction: Anthropometric measures are the most frequently tools for assessing both nutritional and public health status. These indexes help recognizing individuals who are at risk of obesity and underweight. Appropriate interventional approaches could then be achieved. The present study aims to evaluate nutritional status of adolescent girls (11-18 years) in Rafsanjan using anthropometric indexes. Methods: In this cross sectional study 1221 adolescent girls were randomly selected using a multiphase sampling method. Study checklist was completed after receiving a written consent form in a face-to-face interview. The weight height and waist circumference (WC) were measured by standard scale tape accurately. BMI was calculated based on the weight height and obesity as well as overweight was defined based on BMI scores using CDC chart. Abdominal obesity was also detected based on WC percentile for age. Data were analyzed using SPSS-12 software and Chi-square tests and Pearson correlation coefficient are used where appropriate. Results: Mean age of respondents was 14.3±1.7 years and 11.2% and 2.4% of subjects were overweight and obese respectively. Our findings showed that 11.3% were malnourished. The proportion of respondents with overweight and obesity in the two groups of secondary and high school pupils were significantly different (P<0.05). Respondents living in urban area were more frequently overweight than respondents had abdominal obesity.Results showed correlation between BMI and waist circumference (r=0.08, P<0.01).Conclusion: Our finding showed that overweight, obesity and underweight are common health problems among secondary and high school pupils of Rafsanjan suggest other risk factors including hypertension and metabolic syndrome are likely involved.

Introduction: Parasitic contaminations disturb human health through different ways. One of this ways is malnutrition. The aim of this study is to determination of parasitic contamination in consuming vegetables in Kerman city. Methods: This study was performed at first half-time in 1386 and it is a cross-sectional study. Samples of vegetables were collected from 30 stories out of 70 stories and surveyed in term of existing parasitic contaminations by sedimentation technique and using of centrifuge. The total number of samples is 135 samples. By means of SPSS software Chi-square test was used for determination of relation between type of vegetable and type of parasite. Results: Hymenolepis eggs (8.88%) Trikosal eggs (4.44%) Ascaris eggs (3.7%) Dicrocelium eggs (5.18%) Teania sp.eggs (3.7%) Trichostrongylus eggs (2.96%) and Giardia cyst (0.74%) were detected in the gathered samples 30 percent of vegetables generally contaminated by parasites. In this study its detected that Spring onion has most contamination and Radish & Basil have the least contamination. Conclusion: Amount of contamination in gathered samples are relatively high. Results show that percentage of parasitic contamination in Yasuj and Hamedan cities are greater than Kerman but in Yazd Ahvaz Isfahan and Kermanshah cities are less than Kerman.

Introduction: Retropharyngeal lipoma is a rare benign tumor (less than 27 reports in literature) of nonspecific clinical symptoms. It can grow to an enormous extent causing total obstruction of the upper respiratory tract. Until now its etiology is unknown. Case Report: A 60-year old female complained from severe snoring mild dysphagia and moderate respiratory difficulty with gradual onset since one year prior to clinical presentation. In Oropharyngeal examination and indirect laryngoscopy there was a bulging over posterior pharyngeal wall extending from the level of soft palate to lower part of hypopharynx with moderate closure of laryngeal inlet and soft consistency on palpation. Fine needle aspiration was in favour of neurofibroma but CT scan and MRI showed criteria of a large retropharyngeal lipoma (75×50 mmoval shaped). The mass was removed completely via transpharyngeal approach with creation of U- shaped flap. Post operative pathologic study confirmed the diagnosis of lipoma. Conclusion: Lipoma as differential diagnosis of retropharyngeal tumors always has to be considered. Surgical intervention through pharyngeal or cervical root is recommended. To prevent functional complications resulting from tumor and surgery and to get information about the extent of the lipoma accurate radiological imaging is mandatory.