[ relationship between indicators of plasma oxidative stress and photo aging]

Photo aging is significantly different from chronological aging in both clinical and histological appearances. It has been suggested that oxidative stress generated by ultraviolet radiation [UVR], leads to photo aging over a long time period. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the indicators of plasma oxidative stress and photo damaged skin in patients who referred to dermatology clinic in Birjand city. In this case-control study, 33 patients with photo aging and 33 controls [matched age and gender] were recruited after confirmation of the diagnosis by a dermatologist. Mean time of sun exposure in patient and control groups was measured separately. Plasma total antioxidant capacity, lipid per oxidation and thiol groups' levels [as indicators of oxidative stress] were measured in case and control groups. The collected data were analyzed using [5.5 +/- 2.1hour per day] was higher than control group [1.9 +/- 1.2 hour per day] [p<0.001]. Mean of plasma lipid per oxidation levels in case group [3.4 +/- 1.1 micro mol/lit] was higher than control group [2.80 +/- 0.67 micro mol/lit] [p<0.003]. There was no significant difference between mean of plasma total antioxidant capacity and mean of plasma thiol groups in case and control groups. The results of this study suggest that a relationship exists between plasma lipid per oxidation levels and photo aging

Investigation of nutritional status in elementary school students of south khorasan province: East of Iran

Children have greater nutritional needs than adults in order to maintain their growth. It has been determined that about 70% of all malnourished children in the world live in Asia. This study evaluates nutritional status of elementary students in south khorasan province and some effective factors on it. The height and weight of 1303 elementary school students ages between 7 to 12 years old which were selected by multistage random sampling from urban and rural areas of the South Khorasan province were measured. Data for this study was collected for a period of six months from September 2006 to February 2007. Nutritional habits of these students and its relation to demographic factors were evaluated using Gomes [weight-for-age], Maclaren-ride [weight to height for age] and Waterlow [height-for-age] criteria. Based on the finding of this study, 69.8% of the students were underweight, 30.9% were wasted and 43.6% were stunted. The effects of malnutrition in this group were mild and severe cases of malnutrition effects were rare. The adverse effects of malnutrition were more widespread with the increase in the age of the students. These adverse effects were also more persistence with increased level of illiteracy among the parents of these students. The number of underweight students was significantly larger in the rural areas than in the urban areas. Heights of the students were directly correlated to the order of their birth. The higher the birth orders the higher the prevalence of being shorter Being stunted was more widespread among female students with less educated mothers. In order to improve high prevalence of malnutrition in elementary school students of South Khorasan province, we recommend improvement of the level of literacy, nutritional education of mothers, and students. We also suggest improvement of quality of students' free meal in schools

[ relationship of plasma antioxidants and serum lipid levels with seborrheic dermatitis [SD]: a case-control study]

Evidences shows that the defect in the synthesis of some fatty acids can lead to seborrheic dermatitis and elevated serum lipids in lipophilic fungi activities. Epidemiologic reports suggest a relationship between antioxidant levels and serum lipids in a number of dermatitis. This study was carried out to determine the relationship between antioxidant levels of plasma and serum lipids with seborrheic dermatitis. In this case-control study 70 patients suffering from SD were compared with 70 healthy people as control group. The two groups had been matched in terms of age and sex. Lipid levels and plasma antioxidants were measured by FRAP [Ferric Reducing A Bility Of Plasma Assay] in both groups. In patients skin lesions samples were tested through web spread to confirm the diagnosis and severity of pityrosporum ovale. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS software, T-Test and Chi-Square tests. The mean level of cholesterol in treatment group [120.5+39.9 mg/dl] was higher than control group [166.5+39.1 mg/dl] and the mean triglyceride level in treatment group [138.1+65.3 mg/dl] was higher than control group [91.7+44.2 mg/dl], which were both statistically significant [p<0.001]. No significant difference was observed between HDL cholesterol in treatment and control groups [p<0.177]. However, the mean LDL level was higher in treatment group [143.5+37.6 mg/dl] than that of control group [106.3+35.6 mg/dl] which shows a significant difference [p<0.001]. No significant difference was observed between the mean plasma antioxidants in treatment and control groups [p>0.05]. The study findings suggest the relationship between SD with total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and blood plasma LDL. However, there was no association between SD and plasma antioxidant and HDL levels

[Pattern of total antioxidant capacity in human milk during the course of lactation]

In addition to numerous nutrients, human milk contains several antioxidants as bioactive components protecting newborns from a hyperoxic challenge due to transition to an environment much richer in oxygen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of total antioxidant capacity of human milk during the first six months of lactation. 535 milk samples were collected from 145 healthy women with full term newborns. Analyses included colostrum [at 2 +/- 1 day postpartum], transitional milk [at 7 +/- 3 days postpartum] and mature milk [at 30 +/- 5, 90 +/- 7 and 180 +/- 10 days postpartum] and also maternal plasma at 90 +/- 7 days. The total antioxidant capacity of samples was measured by Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power [FRAP] assay. Colostrum showed a significant higher antioxidant capacity than the transitional and mature milks [589.8 +/- 278.1 vs. 508.5 +/- 284.1, 453.5 +/- 210.8, 479.3 +/- 254.3 and 402.6 +/- 168.0 micro mol/l respectively]. Also a significant decrease in antioxidant capacity was observed in the mature milks [p<0.05]. The relationship between the antioxidant content of breast milk and maternal plasma was significant too [p<0.05, r=0.267]. These data suggest that colostrum, with high antioxidant capacity, during the first days of life is vital; moreover, reduction in total antioxidant capacity during the course of lactation is notable and requires sophisticated measures