[Prevalence of thyroid dysfunctions pregnant women referring to clinics in Kermanshah, 2011-12]

Thyroid diseases, especially among women, are very common, and most women with severe hypo- or hyperthyroidism are faced with infertility, recurrent miscarriage and poor outcome pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnant women referring to clinics in Kermanshah, between 2011-2012. This cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of women with pregnancies under 16 weeks gestation, admitted for routine tests. Two-stage cluster sampling was conducted and 1200 samples were analyzed. Statiscal analysis was performed using the Chi 2 Correlation Test. Of subjects, 248[20.7%] were diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction; 194 patients [16.17%] with hyperthyroidism and 54 [4.5%] patients with hypothyroidism. The highest prevalences of hyperthyroidism [27.9 %] and hyporthyroidism [23.3%] were observed in pregnant women with their 4th gravidity. Significant relationships between variables such as family history of thyroid dysfunction, spontaneous abortion, infertility and preterm delivery in pregnant women with thyroid dysfunction were observed. Considering the high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and relationships between some of the identified risk factors, it is recommended that screening tests for thyroid function in pregnant women at the first prenatal visit be conducted, at least in those with known risk factors of this condition

[Evaluation of Harm reduction Programs in prisons from the attitude and viewpoint of Iranian prison staff]

probably after pestilence, HIV/AIDS is most important and severe health threat for public health. Prisons could facilitate the spread of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis and transmit it to societies. The main strategy to control HIV/AIDS and hepatitis among Injecting Drug Users is Harm Reduction Programs. These programs are conducted in Iran Prisons. The goal of this study is to evaluate Harm reduction Programs including Methadone Maintenance Therapy [MMT] and Needle exchange from the viewpoint of prison staff in Iran including principals, managers, physicians and counselors. It was a cross sectional study in which 370 prison staff working in prisons all around the country were evaluated to assess their viewpoint and insight about Harm reduction Programs including Methadone Maintenance therapy and Needle exchange. A percentage of 95.23 of prison managers and experts had a positive view toward Methadone Maintenance therapy. 70.25 percent had a positive insight toward needle exchange program. The employment type and work experience was significantly [p<0.05] related to the viewpoint of managers and experts towards Methadone Maintenance therapy program. Age was the only factor that had a significant relationship [p<0.05] with Needle exchange program. MMT has lots of supporters in prisons. The positive insights of managers and experts towards methadone maintenance therapy program demonstrate the high level of staff's approval for conducting this program; it could be interpreted as a sign of success of program in the country. However there is not a comprehensive approval and collaboration with needle exchange program in prisons. Nevertheless, it is alarming that 42.5% of staff believe that conducting methadone maintenance therapy may increase and intensify addiction in prisons

[Ultrastructural changes of sheep oocytes follow vitrification by different methods and in vitro maturation]

Our aim was determination of the sheep oocytes ultrastructural changes follow vitrification and in vitro maturation. Good quality isolated cumulus-oocyte complexes [COCs] were randomly divided into non-vitrified control, conventional straw, cryotop and solid surface vitrification groups. In the conventional and cryotop methods the vitrified COCs were plunged directly into liquid nitrogen [LN2], whereas in the solid surface group the vitrified COCs were cooled before plunging into LN2. Fresh and vitrified-warmed healthy COCs were matured in vitro and then their ultrastructural changes were evaluated. The results indicated that vitrification by cryotop and solid surface methods preserved the total arrangement of the ooplasm, whereas conventional straw vitrification disturbed the ooplasm organization. Additionally, the number of vacuoles in the ooplasm increased after vitrification, some of these vacuoles were filled partially or completely with lipids and some had filamentous scaffolding. Also, in the mature oocytes, the amount and the density of cortical granules decreased after conventional straw and solid surface vitrification. Cryotop group compared with other vitrification methods could preserve oocyte ultrastructure properly and create a condition the same as like as the control group

Epidemiological study in a new focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Islamic Republic of Iran

An outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] in Sabzevar county prompted this study of the epidemiology and the ecology of vectors and reservoirs. Examination of 541 schoolchildren showed rates of 9.4% for scars and 5.9% for ulcers. Among 807 inhabitants of 4 villages, 10.4% had scars and 3.0% had active lesions. The most highly infected age group was 0-4 years with a rate of 5.9%. A total of 12 849 sandflies representing 7 species were collected in the study area. Leptomonad infection was found in Phlebotomus papatasi, P. caucasicus and Sergentomyia sintoni. Parasites from man, P. papatasi and Rhombomys opimus, were isolated and characterized as Leishmania major. Based on this survey, this is an epidemic of zoonotic CL, with R. opimus the main reservoir host, and P. papatasi the main vector