[Prevalence of hyperlipidemia in adolescents 10-19 years old, Ahvaz, 2009-2010]

Different studies showed fat intake in childhood and adolescence has long term effects on health, increasing the risk of non communicable disease in adulthood. In Iran the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is increasing, while the age of incidence has decreased. The aim of this study is evaluate the prevalence of dyslipidemia in adolescents, aged 10-19 years, in Ahvaz. This descriptive analytic cross sectional study was conducted in the Ahvaz health center, using multistage cluster sampling. After giving complete information to participants about the research, written informed consent was obtained from each participant or their parents and questionnaires were completed for all participants. Blood sampleing, and demographic information including waist, height and weight were measured by standard methods. In this study, 2239 adolecents, aged 10-19 years were enrolled; 1117[49.9%] boys and 1122[50.1%] girls. The prevalence of hyperlipidemia according to AAP was 29.9% [boys 32.8%, 27.1% girls]. Compared to boys, mean total cholesterol and LDL were higher in girls, aged between 10-14 years. Lipid factors were more prevalent in 14-15 year old girls and in 16-17 year old boys. Prevalence of hyperlipidemia increased with increase in BMI. Dyslipidemia has a significant prevalence among adolescents in Ahvaz, necessitating special attention be paid to educating people on diet and exercise to prevalence condition

Interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor-BETA gene polymorphisms as genetic susceptibility factors for brucellosis in iranian patients

Some reports suggest that the cytokine gene polymorphisms can contribute to the resistance or susceptibility to brucellosis. The aim of this study was to find out any probable association of genetic polymorphisms of Interleukin-12 [+1188 A/C] and TNF-beta [+252 A/G] with susceptibility to the disease. One hundred and ninety-six patients with brucellosis and 81 healthy farmers [controls] who owned infected animals and consumed their contaminated dairy products were included in this study. IL-12 [+1188 A/C] and TNF-beta [+252 A/G] genotyping were carried out for all of the subjects. The results showed that the frequencies of IL-12 AA genotype and A allele were higher in controls than in patients while TNF-beta AA genotype and A allele were significantly higher in patients compared to the controls. These findings suggest that the inheritance of the above-mentioned genotypes and alleles can be considered as genetic factors conferring resistance or susceptibility to brucellosis

[Measurement of cervical length changes during normal pregnancy by endovaginal ultrasound device]

Cervical inability to preserve pregnancy is called cervical insufficiency. On-time diagnosis of cervical insufficiency is important for taking appropriate preventive actions. Endovaginal sonography is a powerful predictor for spontaneous preterm pregnancy loss. Importance of cervical length measurement is to diagnose cervical insufficiency and to decide on cerclage. In this study, we evaluated endovaginal sonography assessment of cervical length changes during a normal pregnancy. In a prospective cross-sectional study endovaginal sonography on 150 pregnant women [50 in every trimester] was performed to measure cervical length and mean of the cervical lengths in the three trimesters was compared together by one way ANOVA test. The patients were followed until labor. Twin pregnancies and cases with history of uterus curettage, cervical anomalies, preterm labor and cerclage were excluded from the study. Mean of the cervical length in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy respectively were 39, 40.7 and 39.3 mm respectively. In addition, the minimum and maximum length of cervix in the same trimesters were 28 and 56 mm, 26 and 52 mm, 27 and 52 mm respectively. Minimum cervical length was seen in the first pregnancy and maximum cervical length was seen in past NVD. No significant statistical differences were seen between the means of cervical length in the three trimesters of pregnancy or maternal age. However, there was a significant statistical difference between mean cervical length and maternal parity [p=0.05]. The mean cervical length in three trimesters was 39 mm and considered as an accepted value for mean cervical length in different trimesters. According to presence significant correlation between cervical mean lengths and multiparity with no preterm labor history, it may be safer if there is no preterm labor history in a multiparity pregnant woman

Effects of dexamethasone in primary intracerebral hemorrhage in the south west of Iran

Previous study revealed the value of dexamethasone in the treatment of vasogenic edema associated with brain tumor and abscess. However there are poor documented studies about its usefulness in primary intracerebral hemorrhage. In this study we evaluated dexamethasone effects in primary intracerebral hemorrhage. In a double blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial we evaluated 200 intracerebral hemorrhage cases between 40 to 80 years old whom were admitted at Golestan Hospital [Ahwaz, IR] between March 2002 And March 2003. They were divided in two groups; dexamethasone [N=100] and placebo [N=100]. Then mortality, GI bleeding, fever, electrolytes disturbances, hypertension and hyperglycemic status were analyzed in two groups. Ethical considerations were employed and subjects were followed by appropriate statistical methods for 21 days to assess the major outcomes. Mortality was much higher in the dexamethasone group; Dexamethasone group [49.3%] and placebo [23.4%] and also fever was higher seen in the dexamethasone group; dexamethasone group [40.2%] and placebo group [24.7%] but there was not any significant statistical difference between two groups as regards other complications. Dexamethasone is widely used for cerebral edema associated conditions but in this study we saw that it's complications in intracerebral hemorrhage such as increasing fever and mortality are significantly higher. Hence it use for treatment of primary intracerebral hemorrhage should be reconsidered