[Effects of hydroethanolic extract of kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. leaf on total antioxidant capacity and BMP7 gene expression in rat white adipose tissue]

Background: Obesity is one of the problems of major concern to today's society. Weight loss has been reported for Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff

Objective: Aim of this research is to examine the effect of this plant extract on plasma total antioxidant capacity and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 [BMP7] gene expressions in white adipose tissue [WAT]

Methods: Eighty male wistar rats were divided in two prevention [A] and treatment [B] groups and every group were divided to four subgroups. The A for prevention from obesity and B were used for reducing of obesity. WAT was obtained after the study for BMP7 gene expression [with using Real time PCR]. Liver sample for catalase activity, blood for measuring of total antioxidant capacity and paraoxonase 1 activity were prepared

Results: Weight loss and BMP7 gene expression was seen only in subgroup that receiving K. odoratissima hydroethanolic extract in the A group. Contrary to expectation, K. odoratissima extract was reduced the total antioxidant capacity in both groups, reduced level of serum paraoxonase 1 activity and increased liver catalase [p value = 0.002] in comparing to the subgroup that received high fat diet [p value = 0.011]

Conclusion: K. odoratissima hydroethanolic extract has an effective role in prevention of weight gain and enhanced liver catalase activity. Increasing in BMP7 gene expression probably causes alteration of WAT to brown adipose tissue [BAT]. According to this study, consumption of extract can reduce serum total antioxidant capacity and is likely to exacerbate oxidative stress

Demographic characteristics and prognostic factors in pediatric-type sarcomas; A 7 year single institutional experience and comprehensive review of the current literature

Background: due to limited clinical data in pediatric-type sarcomas [rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, PNET, and desmoplastic small round-cell tumor], the aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic characteristics and identifying prognostic factors for survival

Materials and Methods: we retrospectively reviewed 110 patients with pediatric-type sarcomas. Overall and disease free survival was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test. To identify prognostic factors for overall and disease free survival, multivariate survival analyses using a Cox's proportional-hazard regression model was performed

Results: in this study mean age of patients were 20.30 years [SD=13.61; range, 1-83 years]. The survival data of 54 patients [49.1%] were obtained with median survival of 27 months. 3 and 5-year survival rate of these patients were 41.5% and 28.3% respectively. Recurrence of disease [P=0.006] and Ewing sarcoma subtype [P=0.018] were significantly associated with poor overall survival and location of the lesion in the upper extremities [P=0.007] and trunk [P=0.005] were significantly associated with a lower disease free survival

Conclusion: with multivariate analysis, the authors determined that recurrence of disease and Ewing's sarcoma subtype are poor prognostic factors for overall survival and site of origin for disease free survival among patients with pediatric-type sarcoma. In addition, gender, patient's age, and size of tumor had no significant impact on overall and disease free survival

[Association of serumomentin levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome]

Adipokines, compounds secreted from adipose tissue, are involved in metabolism control. Omentin is one of the adipokines with different biological roles. Serum levels of Omentin were found to be associated with BMI, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in several studies. The aim of this study was to assess the association between omentin level and the PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome. This case-control study was performed on 45 patients with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and 45 normal individuals as controls. BMI and fasting omentin and insulin serum levels were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay [ELIZA] method, fasting glucose serum level was measured by enzyme-calorimetric method and insulin resistance index [HOMA-IR] was measured using the relevant equation. Data was analyzed using the independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and by SPSS 16 software. Omentin serum levels in the patient PCOS group were significantly lower in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome than in controls. Insulin and glucose serum levels in the PCOS group were significantly higher than in controls, indicating these patients had insulin resistance. There was no significant correlation between serum levels of omentin and HOMA-IR between cases and controls. This study shows that serum omentin level decreased in PCOS patient in comparison with BMI-matched controls. The findings of this study suggest that changes in omentin serum level may be considered as a criterion of PCOS

Relationship between DNA polymorphisms at the BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB loci in beta-Thalassemia patients with increased fetal hemoglobin levels

High fetal hemoglobin [HbF] levels have a major impact on the hemoglobin disorders, i.e. beta -Thalassemia. Increased HbF production ameliorates the disease severity. Three loci-HBS1L-MYB intergenic region on chromosome 6q23, BCL11A on chromosome 2pl6, and the chi-globin gene on chromosome 11 account for up to 50% of the variations in HbF levels in patients with sickle cell anemia, thalassemia and healthy adults. In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between some polymorphisms on HBS1L-MYB BCL11A loci and increased HbF levels in thalassemia patients and normal subjects. In this case-control study, three common polymorphisms among 50 beta-thalassemia patients with increased HbF and 47 healthy individuals with normal HbF by using PCR-RFLP were genotyped: rs4895441, rsl 1886868, and rs28384513. Enzymatic digestion was performed by Rsal, MboII, and BstXI, respectively. Correlations with high levels of HbF were performed with a Chi-square test by using SPSS 16 and SNP analyzer2. Mutant allelic frequencies were 0.245, 0.521 and 0.309 in healthy and 0.3, 0.52 and 0.28 in patient for rs4895441, rsl 1886868 and rs28384513, respectively. Significant relationship was not observed among three polymorphisms studied in healthy volunteers and beta-Thalassemia major patients with increased HbF levels and P-value allelic and genotypic was higher than 0.05 at three SNPs. In spite of previous reports, evaluation of polymorphisms at the BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB loci in this study did not show up a significant correlation with increased HbF. Other polymorphisms might have a role in increasing HbF in our population

[Expression of BRCA1 protein in invasive and in situ carcinomas and its relation with marker of breast cancer stem cells [CD44] and prognostic factors in breast cancer patients]

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second cause of cancer death among women. Despite recent developments in therapeutic tools about 25% of all the involved cases die annually. The clinical, molecular, and pathologic features of breast cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers suggest that BRCA1 may function as a stem-cell regulator. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the correlation between BRCA1 protein expression and clinicopathological characteristics, and putative cancer stem cell marker [CD44 [in breast carcinomas. In this experimental study, immunohistochemistry was performed on 156 primary operable breast tumors employing a monoclonal anti-BRCA1 primary antibody. The relation between BRCA1 expression and variations such as age and pathologic features and CD44 was studied by Chi square test. SPSS V.16 was also used for data analysis. Altered BRCA1 expression was significantly associated with high grade and poor prognosis breast tumors [p=0.006]. Mutated BRCA1 was also more often seen in early onset breast cancer patients [

impact of educating parents of leukemic children on the patients' quality of life

The quality of life of children with leukemia is reduced by fear and anxiety of parents after diagnosis, lack of information about the disease, treatments, and care of the child. This study aims to evaluate the effect of educating parents of leukemic children on the patients' quality of life. In this interventional study, sixty parents of ALL children who met inclusion criteria were selected using simple random sampling method, and assigned to the experimental and control groups. The study tool included a valid and reliable questionnaire [TNO-AZL], that was filled in through interview by parents before and two months after the intervention for both groups. The first part of the questionnaire included demographic items and the second part [7 dimensions, each with 8 sections] contained questions related to the quality of life. The scores could range between 56 and 280 and a higher score represented a better quality of life. The intervention included three one-hour classes composed of lecture and question-answer sessions which were held for groups of 4-6 participants, accompanied by a booklet. Before the intervention, the quality of life score in the experimental and control groups was 180.83 +/- 14.43 and 174.28 +/- 20.72, respectively; after the intervention, these figures changed to 226.9 +/- 11.76 and 174.41 +/- 20.42 respectively. Paired samples T-test proved a significant increase in the quality of life in the experimental group. Parent education successfully increased the quality of life of leukemic children; therefore, parental consultation sessions and educational programs are recommended

[Nurses perceived worries from error disclosure: a qualitative study]

Declaration of error is an important aspect of ethic and a necessity for care. It has some benefits for client, care givers and health institution. But always, many concerns prevent health care provider to perform this important and necessary intervention. This study was conducted to clarify these concerns from the perspective of the nurses. This was a qualitative study. The study question was what is the experiences and perceptions of nurses about their worries regard to error declaration or what factors affect this concerns? Purposeful sampling was used. The data was gathered by semi-structured focus groups with 115 nurses of two major university of Iran. The data was explored and analyzed according to inductive content analysis. The data was classified in four groups, patient reaction related concerns, immediate manager reaction related concerns, job position related concerns and negative experiences from past error declaration incidences. According to the undeniable effects of [declaration of error to the patient and/or the family] on increase of safe care and reduction of error incidents, health providing system must reduce the concerns of health care providers in this area and provide appropriate context [situation] for this important caring intervention. Along with that, the reasons and benefits of error declaration should be increase by purposeful education of care givers especially health care managers and it is necessary that rules and regulations [Terms] of error declaration impose [pass] and all health care agencies should be informed to run them. [They should be communicate to run]

OCT-4, an embryonic stem cell marker expressed in breast, brain and thyroid carcinomas compared to testicular carcinoma

Cancer stem cells are a small subpopulation of cells within a tumor which are responsible for maintaining the tumor mass. A number of factors such as OCT-4 that govern the fate of adult stem cells also play a role in malignant cell transformation. OCT-4 is a key regulator of self-renewal in embryonic stem cells; its expression is potentially correlated with tumorigenesis and can affect some aspects of tumor behavior such as tumor recurrence or resistance to therapies. We have investigated the potential expression of OCT-4 on a panel of tumors including breast, brain, thyroid and testicular carcinomas, using immunohistochemistry. The level of expression of OCT-4 was then compared to different tumor types and degree of differentiation. OCT-4 was expressed at the highest levels on nuclear site of seminoma compared with other tumors. The expression of OCT-4 was detectable in both nucleus and the cytoplasm of almost all breast tumors, but it was detectable at much lower level in normal breast tissues. OCT-4 expression was noted on poorly differentiated papillary carcinoma of thyroid compared to normal follicles of thyroid gland adjacent to the tumor. Breast carcinomas and papillary carcinomas of thyroid express elevated levels of embryonic stem cell gene OCT-4, suggesting that these tumors may contain cells indicative of embryonic-like stem cells. Identification of cancer stem cells in different malignant tumors may be useful for prognostic evaluation and administration of a new treatment which target this sub-population of tumor cells

[Evaluation of medical residency theses in Qazvin]

Introduction: Theses are the most important sources of academic research and correct writing of them has important role in progressive of Educational and research Aims

Objective: Evaluate medical residency theses in Qazvin medical faculty with respect to writing and content

Materials and Methods: A total of 59 theses were submitted to study. A checklist consisting of 3 different parts structural, content and general characterized was completed for each case. Parameters related to structure and content were analyzed separately

Results: The field of the study most of theses [35.6%] was anesthesiology. Most of theses [55.9%] were designed and experimental studies. The overall writing of theses consisted of: 1.7% as weak, 74.5% as average and 23.5% as good. The weakest parts in theses were introduction, findings, conclusion and recommendations. Only 28.8% of the theses were published in journals

Conclusion: The overall most of medical residency theses, were on average level about writing and had very problems in various sections. Then, it is necessary to use some ways such as research workshops and Designing correct writing frame for promotion of quality of writing

[Genetic assessment of chromosome 21 microsatellites and their application in the diagnosis of down syndrome patients within an Eastern Azarbayjan population]

Down syndrome is one of the most common chromosome aneuploidies causing mental retardation which occurs in approximately 1/230 pregnancies. It is usually caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21. The aim of this study was to evaluate the simple PCR based DNA diagnostic method and also to determine the parental origin of the extra chromosome 21 in trisomal Down syndrome. To determine the polymorphism rates of chromosome 21 microsatellite markers, 50 people from Eastern Azarbayjan were randomly selected and studied for the microsatellites. The results were statistically analyzed. Thirty affected Down syndrome patients, diagnosed by specialists were referred to the lab for further molecular analysis. After genetic counseling and getting consent, blood samples were obtained. Seven pairs of chromosome 21 microsatellite markers were amplified using PCR in all the samples. Five highly polymorphic microsatellite markers were selected from a total seven markers, studied in 50 normal people. Out of 30 Down syndrome's patients, trisomal 21 was diagnosed in 21 families [70%]. In which non-disjunction errors were determined to be of maternal origin in 86% and of paternal origin in 9% of the cases. The mean maternal and parental age was 33/3 and 36/2, respectively. The three microsatellite markers, D21S1910, D21S1411 and D21S11 could diagnose a high percentage of trisomal 21 in Down syndrome' patients. The parental origin of an extra copy of chromosome 21 could be exactly determined

Coping strategies used by parents of children with cancer in Shiraz, Southern Iran

The assessment of family coping patterns and resources will provide a further basis for helping family's adaptation. This study was undertaken to assess the coping strategies used by parents of children with cancer in Aliasghar Cancer Hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Data collection was conducted based upon Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale [F-COPES] including social and spiritual support, reframing, seeking help and passive appraisal. A total of 72 parents including 28 couples, 8 single mothers and 8 single fathers participated in this study. The spiritual support ranked the highest and the social help, the lowest strategies used by the parents. Seeking help, reframing and passive appraisal were the remaining strategies. Statistically significant differences were found between the age of participants and reframing and seeking help strategies. A significant difference was also observed between the level of parent's education and reframing strategy but not between gender and coping strategies. Familiarity with coping strategies and the method to use them could balance the emotional, psychological and social consequences of parents who have a child with cancer

comparison of the antibody response against Hepatitis B vaccine surface antigen between preterm and full term neonates

Infection with hepatitis B virus is one of the most common causes of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatic cell carcinoma in IRAN. Thirty percents of Iranian population are the carriers of hepatitis B virus. Forty percent have history of previous contact with this virus and three percent of them will have chronic hepatitis. The common routes for transmission is blood transfusion and it's products, feto- maternal route and sexual contact. To compare response of premature and full term infants to hepatitis B vaccine this study was performed. The immunginicity of hepatitis B vaccine was assessed. In 70 preterm infants immunized soon after birth, and compared with that in 80 term infants. Hepatitis B surface antibody [anti HBS] was measured at three months after the third dose of vaccine [1 year]. The significance of differences between the term and preterm groups was determined using routine statistical test. Similar proportion of infants in both preterm and term groups attained protective titers of hepatitis B antibodies [98/7%vs 97/1%, p=NS]. Mean antibody level to hepatitis B surface antigen in preterm infants was 217.6 +/- 244.2 mIU/mL and in term infants was 235.8 +/- 207.1 mIU/mL. Independent T test did not exhibit statistically significant difference in two groups of infants. The antibody response of preterm infants was similar to that of term newborns. Hepatitis B vaccination can be initiated on the first day of life in preterm newborns, following the same shame recommended for term newborns. However, anti HBS titers should be monitored in one year old. It may be advisable to determine the immune response before school age and repeat the vaccine if it is necessary

comparison on histopathological effects of myrtle extract and silver sulfadiazine 1% on healing of second degree burn wound in rats

Myrtle [Myrtus Communis] is an indigenous plant of northern parts of Iran and has been traditionally used for its healing effect on burn wounds. To compare the histopathological effect of Myrtle extract and 1% silver sulfadiazine on healing of second degree burn wound in rats. This was an experimental study performed on 100 adult male rats. The rats were divided into 4 groups [25 in each group]. Following nesdonal anaesthesia, a second degree burn wound of 4 cm2 was made on back of each rat. Methanolic extract of Myrtle; ointment base; 1% silver sulfadiazine and normal saline [control group] were used as treatment protocols for burn wounds. Revascularization, number of neutrophils and fibroblasts were parameters studied histopathologically. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, One way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests. Histopathological study was indicative of an increase of 9.87 +/- 1.48 in revascularization [p<0.001] in Myrtle extract group which was greater than those in other. There was also a higher number of fibroblasts [23.62 +/- 2.2] [p<0.001] in this group. Silver sulfadiazine [1%] was only showed to have increased the number of neutrophils [p<0.001] in epidermis of injured areas of rats. Extract of Myrtus Communis was found to have more healing potential on second-degree burn wound. Faster healing process, less complications and easy availability of Myrtle are among the reasons suggesting more clinical trails using this preparation..

Serum lipid levels in Tehranian people

This research was conducted to investigate serum lipid levels of Tehranian people. 2000 participants' ages more than 60 years [1198 females and 802 males] who were living in Tehran, selected by r and om sampling process. Data, in the cross - section study [Nov. 2000 to March 2001] were used to determine Serum Lipid Levels: Total cholesterol [TC], High - density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL - C], Low - density Lipoprotein Cholesterol [LDL - C], and Triglycerides [TG], Samples were Fast at least [12 - 14] hrs, the values were analyzed by sex and age. Mean Serum Triglycerides [TG] Concentration of older people above 60 years was 181 mg / dl; TG was significantly greater in Females than males [187 vs. 173 mg / dl, P <. 000].- Mean Serum TG Concentration in elderly Females decreases with increasing age, this declining was significant, [TGofdecades7,8,9were192,182,144 mg/dl-P <.001]. - Mean Serum TG Concentration in elderly males decreases with increasing age. But this declining was not significant [decades 7, 8, 9 were 179, 166, 153 mg / dl]. - Mean Serum Total Cholesterol [TC] Concentration of older people above 60 years was 218 mg / dl. TC was significantly greater in females than males. [228 vs. 203 mg / dl, P <. 000]. - Mean Serum TC Concentration in elderly Females decreases with increasing age, this declining was significant, [TC of decades 7, 8, 9 - were 230, 227, 210 mg / dl - P <. 004]. - Mean Serum TC Concentration in elderly males decreases with increasing age,this declining was significant, [TCofdecades7,8,9,were206, 198, 193,P<.004]. - Mean Serum HDL - c Concentration of older people above 60 years was 47 mg / dl, HDL - c was Significantly greater in Females than males [49 vs. 44 mg / dl P <. 000]. - Mean Serum HDL - c Concentration in elderly Female had no Significant Changes with increasing age [HDL - c. F decades 7, 8, 9 were 50, 48, 46 mg / dl]. - Mean Serum HDL - c Concentration in elderly male had not Significant Changes with increasing age [HDL - c of decades 7,8,9,were44,44,44mg/dl]. - Mean Serum LDL - c Concentration of older people above 60 years was 138 mg / dl. LDL - c was significantly greater in females than males [145 vs 128 mg / dl P <. 000]. - Mean Serum LDL - c Concentration in elderly Female had no Significant Changes with increasing age [LDL - c of decades 7, 8, 9 were 144, 147, 141 mg/ dl]. - Mean Serum LDL - c Concentration in elderly male had no significant Changes with increasing age [LDL - c of decades 7, 8, 9 were 130, 128, 118 mg/ dl]. 63.4% of Population had TC values above 200 mg / dl, and 55.8% had LDL - c values above 130 mg / dl, that due to NCEP guidelines is a high risk group for cardiovascular disease [CVD]. Because CVD events are increased by elevated Total Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol, and high prevalence of Lipoproteinemia in older people in Tehran, design and execution of Comprehensive Geriatric assessment is needed to reduce patients at high risk of Cardiac events

Comparison of occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility rates in common bacterial urinary tract infections isolates from patients at Firouzgar Hospital [Tehran Iran] between 1997-1998 and 2003-2004

Urinary tract infections [UTIs] remain a worldwide infection problem. Geographic variations in pathogen frequency and susceptibility profiles require monitoring to provide information to guide new therapeutic options. The aims of this study were to assess the changes of the prevalence and susceptibility patterns of UTI bacterial pathogens, over a 6-years period. Retrospective study of prevalence of bacterial pathogens and their susceptibility patterns by the disc diffusion technique, was done as defined by the National Committee for Clinical laboratory Standards [NCCLS] which were isolated in cultures of urine of adult patients of Firouzgar Hospital, in 1997-1998 and 2003-2004. Out of 2914 and 3895 urine specimens, 309 [10.6%] and 853 [21.9%] were culture positive in 1997-1998 and 2003-2004, respectively. E coli was the most common urinary isolate [42.1% and 46.9%] in these years. The antibiotic susceptibility rates for all gram negative bacilli in 1997-98 and 2003- 2004 were: Amikacin [87.7%, 94.7%], Ciprofloxacin [91.4%, 87.1%], Nitronirantoine [66.8, 52.9%], Nalidixic Acid [73.1%, 62.6%], Co-trimoxazole [37.5%, 30.6%], Tetracyclin [27.9%, 6.2%], Ampicillin [4%, 1.1%], Gentamicin [72.1%], Ceftizoxime [72.5%] Also the antibiotic susceptibility rates, commonly in community acquired UTIs, were higher than nosocomial UTIs. Overall susceptibility testing demonstrated decreased usefulness of common antibiotics which indicate need to monitoring antibiotics susceptibility and re-evaluation of antibiotics used in the therapy of UTIs. Also strict control on the use of antibiotics and appropriate measures against over the counter availability and self medication is recommended

[ study of the frequency of adenovirus infections by immunofluorescence antibody method in patients with acute respiratory tract infection]

Background: Acute respiratory tract infections cause 4.5 million childhood deaths all over the world. Most of these deaths occur in the developing countries. Both bacterial and viral pathogens arc responsible for these deaths. Adenovirus respiratory tract infections are spread over the entire world, but the fatal disease is rarely seen

Methods: This descriptive case-series study has been conducted from October 2003 to September 2004 on 96 children of up to 5 year old. The relative frequency of adenovirus respiratory tract infection was studied. For this purpose, the nasopharyngeal secretions were obtained to detect adenovirus by Immmofluorescent Antibody [IFA] method. Seasonal incidence age distribution, and clinical signs and symptoms of this infection were studied

Findings: The relative frequency of Adenovirus respiratory infection was 10.4%. Most commonly it occurs in children aged less than 1 year and in autumn. In addition, cough and rhinorrhea are the most common signs [90%] and fever is the most common symptom [100%] in our patients. Similarly, pneumonia was the most common [40%] clinical manifestation in our patients

Conclusion: According to above data, the frequency of Adenoviurs infection and the common age for infection in this study are similar to other studies but pneumonia is the common illness which can be explained by the fact that this hospital is a referral center for these patients

[ impact of oral vitamin e in preventing mucositis [bucal mucous inflammation] resulting from the radiotherapy in tumors of head and neck]

Background: Mucositis [bucal Mucous inflamation] is the most common complication resulting from the radiotherapy in tumors of head and neck. These malignancies are often curable through radiotherapy. This complication, however, may impair the treatment process and cause malnutrition. So far no medicine has been Known to prevent this complication. Vitamin E is a stabilizer of cell membrane and is also used in mucositis treatment. The survey of oral vitamin E effect on mucositis prophylaxis in radiotherapy of head and neck malignancies

Materials and Methods: Seventy patients afflicted with head and neck malignancies referring to Imam Khomeini Hospital were randomly divided into 2 groups, two of whom died during treatment process. The first group [The case group consisting of 34 patients] Consumed oral vitamin E 200 mg daily for seven days. The second group [The control group] did not use any medicine at all. The two group underwent radiotherapy. They were compared and contrasted as to mucositis severity and dysphagia during treatment

Results: In the first group, since the fourth week up to the end of the treatment, there was a lower frequency and grade of mucositis in contrast with the control group. In the fourth week, the grade two mucositis in the first group [Case group] was 20.6% and 47.5% in the control group the difference was statistically significant [P=0.024]. There was also a lower frequency and grade of dysphagia in the case group since the fourth week versus the control group. In the fourth week, moderate dysphagia was 29.4% in the case group and 55.9% in the control group. The difference was statistically significant [P=0.023]

Conclusion: Oral vitamin E has Proved to be effective in the Prophylaxis of Moderate and severe mucositis and dysphagia resulting from radiotherapy. It is advisable to conduct more research with more cases, lengthier duration and heavier doses

Comparison of growth charts of 1-36 month old Therani children with the NCHS curve

During a historic prospective study, measurements of weight, height and head circumferences were carried out in a group of 393 Tehrani boys and girls between the first and 36th month of life and measurements were plotted over the N.C.H.S. curves. These children belonged to middle and high-class literate families who were able to understand and follow the medical advice given by their private pediatricians. Results of this study [Table I and Figs. 1-6] indicate that the trend of growth of this sample of middle and high-class Tehrani children does not differ from N.C.H.S. standards, provided that the parents understand and follow the instructions given with regards to diet, timing, and type of introduction of foods as well as hygienic and preventive measures to be taken