Role of dyslipidemia in preeclamptic overweight pregnant women

Obesity is an independent risk factor of preeclampsia with unknown mechanism and hyperlipidemia might be a probable case of it. The objective of this study was to determine the role of hyper-triglyceridemi in association with high prepregnancy body mass index and the risk of preeclampsia. The authors conducted this case-control study of 42 preeclamptic and 41 normotensive overweight pregnant women. The two groups were comparable with respect to age, gestational age, and body mass index. Blood samples were collected at the time of diagnosis of preeclampsia, after 14 hour fasting to determine plasma lipid concentrations. Enzymatic photometric tests were used to determine lipid profile. Data was analyzed with independent "t-test", Chi-square and one-way ANOVA and post HOC Tukey HSD test. The statistical significance was set at 0.05 levels. In the subjects with preeclampsia, serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were significantly increased and plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations were decreased compared with the controls, [p<0.05], but plasma LDL cholesterol levels didn't differ between the two groups. Women who developed severe preeclampsia had higher concentrations of TG and cholesterol and lower levels of HDL compared to noromotensive group. Mean TG: 375.16 vs. 202.85, p<0.001, Mean cholesterol: 245.64 vs. 214.32, p=0.04, Mean HDL: 40.80 vs. 48.95, p=0.03]. We noted that dyslipidemia, particularly hypertriglyceridemia was highly correlated with prepregnancy high BMI in preeclamptic women. These findings continue to support a role for dyslipidemia in BMI related preeclampsia

Respiratory findings in dental laboratory technicians in Rasht [north of Iran]

There are several occupations that can expose people to some air pollutants. Dental technicians are exposed to inorganic dust and chemical vapors when making dental prosthesis that can put them at risk for respiratory problems. This study was performed to assess respiratory dysfunction in a group of dental technicians. This was a cross-sectional study designed to ascertain the prevalence of respiratory disorders in dental laboratory technicians in Rasht, a city located in north of Iran. A Structured questionnaire was adapted according to the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire and used to elicit information regarding sociodemographic characteristics and medical status of the study participants. The ventilation status, protective measures and direct exposure to materials in the laboratories were directly observed by the observers and subjects underwent respiratory tests and chest x-ray. The mean age of dental technicians was 31.31 yrs [range 18-56 years] and 83% were males with a mean dental work experience of 9.04 years. In 54.8% of cases, the work environment did not have air conditioning system. The most common signs and symptoms were cough [38.1%] and wheezing [16.7%]. There was a significant correlation between smoking and respiratory signs. Restrictive airway pattern and air trapping were two prevalent findings which were observed in 85.7% and 33.3% of the subjects. Cigarette smoking had a negative effect on FEV1, FEF[25%-75%], and TLC causing a significant reduction in all three parameters [p<0.05]. The most prevalent finding was interstitial opacity which was observed in 10 individuals [23.8%]. This finding was not significantly associated with age, gender, cigarette smoking, or daily work hours. However, there was a significant statistical association between work experience and interstitial opacity. The prevalence of respiratory dysfunction and chest x-ray findings were high as in several similar studies. In order to reduce the hazards of respiratory disorders in risky occupations and provide dental workers with technical preventive measures, a more comprehensive study should be conducted throughout the country and further evaluations through biopsy and CT-scan need to be performed in suspicious cases when necessary