[Evaluation of anthropometric measurements with consumption of portulaca oleracea seeds in patients with asthma]

Background: Today, the relationship between asthma and obesity in many studies is reviewed and weight control is used as a way for control of symptoms and severity of asthma along with other treatment protocol. Portulaca oleracea is consumed for weight loss in some countries

Objective: The experiment is designed to study the effect of Portulaca oleracea seeds on anthropometric measurements in asthmatic patients

Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 59 patients with asthma disease divided to intervention [n=31] and control [n=28] groups. First group received asthma treatment and consisting 10g/day P. oleracea seeds in two doses in the morning [fasting] and before dinner with a glass of water for 8 weeks. Participants in second group received only asthma treatment. At the beginning and end of the study, anthropometric measurements were measured on each subject

Results: The anthropometric measurements including weight, body mass index and waist circumference indicated any significant differences between two groups after completion of the study [P?0.05] but hip circumference and waist-to-hip ratio had significant decrease [P= 0.003] and increase in intervention group [P= 0.04], respectively

Conclusion: Consumption of Portulaca oleracea seeds influence on some anthropometric measurements likes hip circumference and waist-to-hip ratio in asthmatic patients. However, the effects of them on other anthropometric measurements need further investigations.Keywords: Anthropometric Measurements, Asthma, Obesity, Portulaca oleracea seed

[Effect of olive oil on striae gravidarum]

Striae gravidarum is one of the cutaneous physiological changes during pregnancy with a high prevalence. This study was done to evaluate the effect of olive oil on prevention of striae gravidarum. In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 100 nulliparous women referring to Tehran health ceatens were gone under investigation during 2009. Those whom had the inclusion criteria were divided to experimental group [using olive oil] and control group. The questionnaire was completed via interview and observation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test. Moderate striae gravidarum was seen 32% and 22% in intervention and control groups, respectively. Severe striae gravidarum was 6% and 14% in intervention and control groups, respectively, but this difference was not significant. This study showed that olive oil did not demonstrate to have any role in reducing of striae gravidarum

Clinical presentation and etiologic factors of hirsutism in premenopausal Iranian women

Hirsutism is a common clinical condition with different etiologies. Many of these patients have frank or subclinical abnormalities in the abnormalities in the adrenal and ovarian steroidogenisis. The disease may be associated with other clinical signs of hyperandrogenism. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical features of hirsutism and its etiologic factors in premenopausal Iranian women. In a cross-sectional study, 790 consecutive premenopausal women referred to the dermatology Clinics of Hazrat-e Rasool and Firrozgar University Hospitals and three private dermatology clinics during 2001-2003 with the clinical diagnosis of hirsutism were studied. All patients underwent detailed clinical assessment and transabdominal ultrasonography of the ovaries. Endocrinologic work-up was performed for 285 patients. Hiusutism was mild in 65%, moderate in 32.5%, and severe in 2.5% of the patients. Positive family history was found in 56.2%. Hormonal studies revealed some abnormalities in 35.2% of the patients. Coexisting medical conditions included acne in 70% of the patients, menstrual irregularity in 38.6%, androgenic alopecia in 21.3%, obesity in 6.5%, acanthosis nigricans in 4.9%, and diabetes in 0.6% of the patients. Etiology of hirsutism was identified as polycystic ovary syndrome [62.53%], idiopathic [35.19%], congenital adrenal hyperplasia [0.38%], prolactinoma [0.13%], and undetermined [1.77%]. Polycystic ovary syndrome was diagnosed more frequently in women with menstrual irregularity than eumenorrheic patients [97.70% vs. 40.41%,P<0.001]. Hirsute patients frequently have either elevated androgen levels or clinical conditions associated with hyperandrogenemia. Eumenorrhea does not rule out endocrine abnormality and particularly polycystic ovary syndrome which is a common cause of hirsutism. We recommend performing endocrinologic work up, investigation of coexisting hyperandrogenic states, and evaluation of polycystic ovary syndrome in all patients with hirsutism

[Comparison of the effect of incentive spirometry on pulmonary volumes and arterial blood gases after coronary artery bypass surgery]

Following thoracic and abdominal surgery, all patients experience a decrease in pulmonary volumes and atelectasis. Different methods such as lung physiotherapy, intermittent positive pressure breathing, positive expiratory pressure and incentive spirometry are suggested for improvement of pulmonary volumes and blood gas parameters in these patients. Due to cheap, simple and easy use of incentive spirometry, we aimed at evaluating the effects of it on pulmonary volumes and blood gases parameters [ABG] in coronary artery bypass patients. This is a randomized, clinical trial study. From February 2004 to February 2005, 150 consecutive male patients who were hospitalized for coronary artery bypass surgery in Madani heart hospital were divided into two groups at random. On the first day of operation, group I used incentive spirometry and group II was routinely followed up. Data were collected through a questionnaire including age, left ventricular function [LVEF], smoking and number of grafts. Blood gases parameters and spirornetry volumes were measured in 3 phases before, in the morning of the first day of operation and after using incentive spirometry. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using paired or unpaired student's t-test. There were no significant differences between two groups as to the mean age, LVEF, number of grafts and duration of mechanical ventilation in ICU. Comparison of ABGs before anesthesia and on the first day of surgery showed a significant decrease in systemic O[2] saturation and arterial Po2 in all cases [p<0.001], but no significant differences were found between the second and third phases in both groups. Spirometry parameters showed a decrease of forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV[1]] and forced vital capacity [FVC] after surgery in all patients [p<0.0001], but by using incentive spirometery, no significant changes in spirometeric pulmonary volumes occurred. Using incentive spirometery on the first day of operation has no significant impact on pulmonary volumes and blood gases parameters