validity of transvaginal sonography in the measurement of endometrial thickness

Transvaginal ultrasonography is a non invasive procedure for endometrial thickness evaluation in abnormal uterine bleeding. This technique is helpful for selecting patients for diagnostic tests. This study was designed to determine the validity of transvaginal sonography in the measurement of endometrial thickness. A total of 71 women who were admitted for abdominal hysterectomy due to different causes in Kosar Hospital [2008-2009] were enrolled in the study. The main exclusion criteria was inability to measure endometrial thickness via transvaginal sonography. Endometrial thickness measurements were done prior to surgery. Histopathologic measurement of the fresh specimen was carried out immediately after surgery. Data were analyzed using T-test and kappa index. No ultrasound measurement was possible in 15% [11] of the patients. No statistically significant difference was observed in endometrial thickness between the two procedures. Taking into account 5 mm as a cut- off point, in 70% [42] of the patients, endometrial thickness was < 5 mm in both procedures. In 30% [18] of the patients, endometrial thickness in sonography was >5 mm, 11 cases of which were confirmed by histopathologic measurement. The remaining 7 cases were falsely reported as thick endometrium by sonography. The overall accuracy of sonography was about 83/3%, which was more efficient for samples with thin endometrium [89/8% vs. 72/8%].Despite a concordance between transvaginal sonography and histopathology results for endometrial thickness evaluation, the former is faced with limitation as a single diagnostic test

relationship between serum zinc concentration and short stature in adolescents younger than age 15y

Linear growth is one of the most important criteria of general public health. As a micronutrient, zinc is known to affect linear growth. Considering the low prevalence of zinc deficiency in Zanjan, analysis of the impact of zinc deficiency in children with short stature in this province could provide valuable information. The aim of this study was to compare the serum concentration of Zinc in children with short stature and those with normal growth in Zanjan. This case-control study was conducted on two groups of school children under the age of 15, including 50 subjects with short stature, who were randomly selected from the patients of endocrine clinic of Vali-e-asr general hospital, and 50 normal-growth children. Normal subjects were selected from the cases classmates with the same socioeconomic situation. After collection of general health data and anthropometric measurements, blood samples were taken to detect serum concentrations of zinc in all of the participants. One hundred children, including 50 males and 50 females, with a mean age of 10.2 +/- 3 years were investigated. Serum concentrations of zinc were significantly lower in the subjects with short stature [94 +/- 23.1] microg/dl vs. 110.9 +/- 12.4 microg/dl in normal subjects; p: 0.001]. A significant positive correlation was found between serum concentrations of zinc and the height of the subjects in both groups [r: 0.2, p: 0.02]. There is a positive correlation between serum zinc concentration and the height of the children even in the zinc sufficient areas like Zanjan. Future studies for analysis of the impact of zinc supplementation on the growth velocity of subjects with zinc deficiency are recommended

[Relationship between spiritual intelligence and nurses' clinical competency]

Clinical competency is one of the requirements in nursing profession, for which nurses have recently been criticized. For this reason, health educational systems always intend to discover and improve factors that affect clinical competency. On the other hand, spiritual intelligence is considered as a significant factor in nurses' success and efficacy. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine the spiritual intelligence status and its relationship with nurses' clinical competency. This descriptive correlational study was conducted on 250 nurses of Mashad educational hospitals selected by multi-stage sampling. Demographic, clinical competency and spiritual intelligence questionnaires were used for data collection; the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS 11.5 using ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis, t-test, correlation and simple linear regression and covariate analysis. The results showed that%53.3 of the nurses' scores on spiritual intelligence were above the mean, and%46.7 below the mean. Most nurses' [%53/8] scores of clinical competency scores was reported good [by self-assessment],%48.2 of the scores in the average range [by matron assessment], and%53.3 of them in the average range [by the overall assessment]. A significant positive correlation was observed between spiritual intelligence and clinical competency, as Pearson correlation coefficient indicated [p < 0.001]. A positive significant correlation was observe between spiritual intelligence of nurses' clinical competency

[ study of knowledge and attitudes of relief workers located in Norouz rescue and relief bases of red crescent society of Mazandaran in 2010 towards relief subjects]

Regarding the significant role of trained and skillful relief workers in reducing losses caused by disasters, it is important to improve training programs qualitatively and quantitatively. So, this paper aims to determine knowledge and attitudes of relief workers in relief and rescue bases [fixed and mobile] at Norouz in 2010. In this descriptive-analytical study, 90 male relief workers of Red Crescent Society were selected at Norouz relief and rescue bases in Mazandaran province in 2010. Using a two-part questionnaire, some data was obtained as demographic information, knowledge and attitudes of relief workers. According to the results: the workers age average was 23/9 +/- 5/l years; the score average of general knowledge [from 20 points] was 17/6 +/- 4/9; the score average of public knowledge was [20 points] and professional [10 points] 12/4 +/- 3/6 and 5/3 +/- 1/8 respectively. Most relief workers [66/7%] had a moderate or very good knowledge and half of them had a very good attitude towards the whole training courses

[Traumatic wound dehiscence and lens extrusion after penetrating keratoplasty]

To investigate the risk factors of wound dehiscence and lens extrusion following blunt trauma in patients with penetrating keratoplasty [PK] as well as the results of treatment. In a retrospective case series, 7 eyes of 7 patients including 6 male and one female subjects were investigated. All cases received primary care at the time of referral and then underwent secondary repair under general anesthesia in operation room setting. After evaluation of the wound, anterior vitrectomy was performed and secondary wound repair was done using nylon 10-0. Mean age of patients was 20.6 +/- 6.2 [range 10 to 30] years and mean interval between keratoplasty and trauma was 15.6 +/- 10.1 [range 2.5 to 26.5] months. Mean best-corrected visual acuity of patients before the trauma and at final follow-up was 0.6 +/- 0.38 logMAR [20/80] and 0.9 +/- 0.96 logMAR [20/160], respectively. In one case, visual acuity decreased to light perception after the final treatment. No case needed regraft. Most prevalent site of dehiscence was superior to the graft [4 cases] and the most prevalent cause of blunt trauma was hitting by hand. No case of endophthalmitis occurred. PK patients are susceptible to wound dehiscence due to trauma especially during the first postoperative year. This is more prevalent in young male subjects who are more prone to trauma because of higher social activities. Proper explanation of this problem for patients together with using protective eye shields as well as performing lamellar keratoplasty instead of PK if possible can decrease side effects of trauma in these patients

[ effect of the dietary barley and phosphorous on the incidence of uroltihiasis in Iranian Raeinimale kids]

To determine effects of dietary barley andphosphor ous on Uroltihiasis.Experimental study.Iranian Raeini male kids.For assessing the effect of barley andphosphorous on the occurrence of Uroltihiasis, a total ofseventy five male kids [initial live weight of 17.5 +/- 2.1 kg]werestudied.Animalswerefedwithpelleteddietcontaining barley, Lucerne hay, wheat straw, wheat branand cottonseed meal. After observing the urolithiasissymptoms, 10 g of limestone was added to the diet ofanimals through water, in order to increase the ratio of Ca:Pto 3.5. Addition of limestone has eliminated the urolithiasisin the animals.Fisher's exact test [2-tail] and chi-square test with SAS Software.After three months, 12 kids out of 75 showed thesymptoms of urolithiasis. Most of the affected kids werefrom the groups consumed high barley diets. The chemicalcomposition of the urinary calculi was 10% phosphorusand 5% calcium.The results of chi-square test haveshown that the effect of dietary barley or phosphorous onthe occurrence of Urolithiasis is significant [P<0.10]

Effect of topical betamethasone on reduction of sore throat and cough due to endotracheal intubation during general anesthesia

Background: Sore throat and cough are common complications after general anesthesia which are very unpleasant for patients and prevention of these events are very important

Objective: To determine the effect of topical betamethasone on reduction of sore throat and cough after general anesthesia

Methods: In this prospective analytic study [clinical trial] 60 patients who scheduled for elective surgery divided into two equal groups. Under equal condition of general anesthesia, in one group endotracheal tube which impregnated with betamethasone jell and in the other group, endotracheal tube without jell used for intubation. 24 hours after anesthesia, patients of both group follwed for sore throat and cough. Ultimately informations were analyzed statistically with X[2] test

Findings: During 24 hours after operation, 13.3% of patients in betamethasone group and 40% in control group had sore throat and there was significant statistical difference between two groups [P>0.05]. Also 10% of patients in betamethasone group and 20% in control group had cough postoperatively but there was no significant statistical difference between two groups [P>0.05]

Conclusion: Using the endotracheal tube with betamethasone jell reduces postoperative sore throat significantly but has not significant effect on reduction of postoperative cough