cross-sectional study of the seroprevalence and flock-level factors associated with ovine and caprine brucellosis in southeastern Iran

This cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate seroprevalence and to identify flock-level factors associated with seropositivity to brucellosis in small ruminants in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. In October-November 2011, serum samples were randomly collected from 1767 sheep and 1233 goats, older than 18 months, from 300 flocks. The sera were initially screened for the presence of anti-Brucella antibodies using the Rose-Bengal test; those found to be positive were then examined by Wright and 2-mercaptoethanol Brucella agglutination tests. A questionnaire was used to collect data on flock-level factors likely associated with the within flock seroprevalence of brucellosis. The associations were statistically evaluated for significance in multivariable logistic models. Sixty three flocks [21.00%; 95% CI: 16.80-26.60] had at least one seropositive animal. The mean within-flock seroprevalence was 3.10% [95% CI: 2.60-3.90]. The presence of newly purchased animals [OR=3.42; 95% CI: 1.35-8.65] was significantly associated with seropositivity. Our findings highlight the role of animal movement among flocks in the epidemiology of brucellosis in this region. Thus, a control program for brucellosis in the region is suggested to impose appropriate restrictions on animal trade and improve knowledge of livestock owners about quarantine principles for newly purchased animals

[Prevalence of hyperlipidemia in adolescents 10-19 years old, Ahvaz, 2009-2010]

Different studies showed fat intake in childhood and adolescence has long term effects on health, increasing the risk of non communicable disease in adulthood. In Iran the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is increasing, while the age of incidence has decreased. The aim of this study is evaluate the prevalence of dyslipidemia in adolescents, aged 10-19 years, in Ahvaz. This descriptive analytic cross sectional study was conducted in the Ahvaz health center, using multistage cluster sampling. After giving complete information to participants about the research, written informed consent was obtained from each participant or their parents and questionnaires were completed for all participants. Blood sampleing, and demographic information including waist, height and weight were measured by standard methods. In this study, 2239 adolecents, aged 10-19 years were enrolled; 1117[49.9%] boys and 1122[50.1%] girls. The prevalence of hyperlipidemia according to AAP was 29.9% [boys 32.8%, 27.1% girls]. Compared to boys, mean total cholesterol and LDL were higher in girls, aged between 10-14 years. Lipid factors were more prevalent in 14-15 year old girls and in 16-17 year old boys. Prevalence of hyperlipidemia increased with increase in BMI. Dyslipidemia has a significant prevalence among adolescents in Ahvaz, necessitating special attention be paid to educating people on diet and exercise to prevalence condition

[ prevalence of various phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome: a community-based study in southwest of Iran]

There is very little information about the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome at the community level; heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria and lack of universal agreement on the definition of each criterion for population based studies complicate comparability of existing literature. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome in a large community-based study conducted in the southwest of Iran. A total of 646 reproductive-aged women were randomly selected using the stratified, multistage probability cluster sampling method. The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome according to the Rotterdam criteria and its various phenotypes were estimated using universal assessment of ultrasonographic parameters, hormonal profiles and clinical histories. The estimated prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in this population based study using the Rotterdam criteria was 14.1[n=85]. There were 279 [46.3%] women who had no symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome and were completely normal. Among women with polycystic ovary syndrome, phenotypes A, B, C and D were observed in 11, 19, 42 and 13 women, respectively. The most common symptoms observed in this study in order of frequency were hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovary on sonography and menstrual disorders, indicating the need for more studies on the priority of paraclinical assessment, based on universal agreement on definitions for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome

[Public awareness of diabetes mellitus in Ahvaz]

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most important chronic diseases which is substantially increasing in the world especially in developing countries. Nowadays changes in life style, inadequate diabetic habits, sedentary life and obesity are among the most significant causes of type 2 diabetes. Increase in general population knowledge can greatly reduce the expansion of the disease and progression of its complications. The aim of the present study was determine population knowledge of diabetes mellitus in Ahvaz. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study on 400 visitors of Simorgh exhibition of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences which was held during the 10 days of Fajr in 2009 were the subjects of this study. Data were collected by a questionnaire and analyzed by chi-square test with SPSS. The awareness of diabetes amont Ahvazians was good in 36.8%, at intermediate level in 44.2% and weak in 19% of the subjects of the study. Average age of participants was 31years.Women's knowledge was more than men [P<0.001]. Married persons had more knowledge than unmarried [P<0.001]. With increasing in education level, knowledge on diabetes also increased. Housewives and official clerks had more knowledge than others. The presence of diabetic patients augmented the knowledge of other members of the family. Friends, acquaintances and relatives were the main source of information and the other sources, in descending order, were magazines and books, radio and TV and physicians. The results of this study suggest that the overall population's knowledge on diabetes is at an intermediate level. We conclude that although the population knowledge on diabetes is in an intermediate level, removing two factors of increasing age and presence of diabetic patients in the family from the study yields in an intensely reduced knowledge and thus it is required to get knowledge on diabetes from lower ages

[Correlates of unwanted pregnancy among pregnant women attending medical and health centers in Semnan, Iran]

Unwanted pregnancy is one of the most important causes of mother and child mortality. It may end up to illegal abortion and result in inevitable physical and psychological consequences. This study aimed to determine the correlates of unwanted pregnancy among pregnant women attending medical and health centers in Semnan. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 229 pregnant women using random sampling. Women with at least one alive child were recruited. Data were gathered using a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests. The mean age was 30.7. The mean age at marriage was 19.7. Of all women, 32.3% had unwanted pregnancy. The results showed that there were significant relationships between age of marriage [P<0.05], current age of women [P<0.05], level of education [P<0.05], No. of children [P<0.01], employment [P<0.05], and income [P<0.01] with unwanted pregnancy. The prevalence rate of unwanted pregnancy was high in the studied population. Educational programs regarding correct methods of contraceptive usages are required

[Comparison of the CRP and ESR levels between women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and control group]

Abstract Introduction: Low grade chronic inflammation can predict persons with risk of coronary heart disease [CHD] and type 2 diabetes. Women with Poly cystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] are insulin resistant and have high risk for CHD and type 2 diabetes

Objective: Evaluate the correlation between low grade chronic inflammation and PCOS

Materials and Methods: This case-control study was done on 27 women with PCOS who were defined base on irregular menstruation and elevated androgen [clinical hyperandrogenism or hyperandrogenemia] and 27 healthy women who were matched as a control group base on similar body mass index [BMI] and age. CRP, ESR, SHBG and Testosterone were measured in all women in both groups. Determine of insulin resistance was assessed by estimation the ratio of FBS/ to Fasting insulin. The mean of testosterone, SHBG, CRP, ESR and the ratio of FBS/ to Fasting Insulin in the two groups were compared by t- test and the correlation between BMI, testosterone, SHBG and ratio of FBS/ to fasting insulin with CRP and ESR were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient

Results: The finding showed: the mean of CRP was significantly difference in two groups and it was more in case group. [549/67 +/- 378/38 and 2566 +/- 10/22, P<0/001]. The mean of ESR was 14/85 +/- 12/22 and 7/74 +/- 3/6 in case and control groups respectively and there was significant difference between them [P<0/007]. Also, there were significantly relation between log CRP and log ESR with BMI, there were a reversed significant relation between them and SHBG. There wasn't any relationship between log CRP and log ESR with testosteron. The collorate with FBS/Fasting Insulin and log CRP was significant and with log ESR was no significant

Conclusion: This study indicated that level of CRP and ESR in patients is higher than control group. It seems that low grade of chronic inflammation is a contributer factor to increase risk of CHD and type2 diabetes

Using GIS in explaining spatial distribution of brucellosis in an endemic district in Iran

To check the feasibility of using geographical information system [GIS] methods, we linked the brucellosis data of human and animals. In a village-based ecological study in Bardsir- a district in Kerman Province located nearly to the central part of Iran- data of human brucellosis, socio-economic level, and livestock characteristics [2001-4] were linked by using GIS methods. Annual incidence of human brucellosis was 141.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Most of the high risk villages were seen in the north and south of Bardsir [3.6% of villages]. A positive association was observed between the frequency of brucellosis and density of cattle [OR=1.81, P= 0.007]. In addition, the size of human population was an independent determinant factor [OR= 1.94, P< 0.001]. No association was found between frequency of the disease and socio-economic indicators and also the density of sheep. Our study showed that we could generate informative risk maps of brucellosis using health and veterinary data which might improve the quality of control programme in Iran

[ effect of vacuum-compression therapy [VCT] on the diabetic foot ulcer healing]

Among the most common problems in patients with diabetes mellitus is the faulty healing of foot ulcer wounds which leads to foot or leg amputations. Many attempts were done to treat diabetic foot ulcers. This study evaluated the effect of vacuum-compression therapy [VCT] on healing diabetic foot ulcers. A single-blinded, randomized clinical trial was conducted in Zahedan in 2006. Twenty-two patients with diabetic foot ulcer limbs were used for this study through simple non-probability sampling. Patients were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The surface area of the foot ulcer was measured stereologically based on Cavalieri's Principle after 3 weeks and before any intervention. The point counting method was chosen to measure the surface area. In addition to the conventional therapy, the experimental group was also treated with vacuum-compression therapy produced by Vasotrain [VCT]. The control group received conventional therapy only, which included debridement, systemic antibiotics, wound cleaning with normal-saline, and daily dressings. Independent-samples t-test and paired t-test allowed for comparisons between the pretreatment and post treatment test results between groups and within groups, respectively. The mean of foot ulcer surface area decreased from 48.05 +/- 10.3 mm[2] to 34.6 +/- 4.4 mm[2] in experimental group [P<0.01] and also from 59.9 +/- 14.4 mm[2] to 56.8 +/- 13.8 mm[2] in the control group [P<0.01]. The surface area of the foot ulcer in the experimental group and control group decreased by 28.4 percents and 6 percents respectively [P<0.05]. After the treatment a significant decline in the surface area of the foot ulcer was observed within the experimental group in comparison to the control group [P<0.01]. Vacuum-compression therapy enhances diabetic foot ulcer healing when used in conjunction with appropriate wound care. It is recommended that patients with diabetic foot ulcer and non-healing wounds achieve wound healing and limb preservation by using a vacuum-compression therapy

[Comparison of effect of chlroquine and placebo on blood sugar of patient with uncontrolled type ii diabetes mellitus]

Diabetes mellitus as a most common metabolic disorder of human has a progressive prevalence that in this disease hyperglycemia from different causes produces several chronic complications in multiple organs by different mechanism. Normoglycemia is the way of prevention of complication that can induce by treatment with oral hypoglycemic agent [O.H.A] or insulin. In type II diabetes the patient treated with O.H.A the failure of treatment is important problem that maybe primary or secondary. Resolving of this problem is changing the treatment to insulin therapy. Before this changing we can add some accessory drug to O.H.A regimen for better controlling of blood sugar. One of these drugs is Chlroquine. In this study we decided to evaluate the effect of Chlroquine on level of blood sugar of DM II. During one year 55 patient in 2 groups as case [25 patients] and control [29 patients] treated with Chlroquine and placebo for 3 months. At first point and end of first, second and third month of study we measured the fasting blood sugar [FBS] and two hours post prandial blood sugar [2hppBS] and evaluate the change of FBS and 2hppBS in each group and between of two groups. The mean age of the case and control group are 53/53 +/- 6/44 and 53/58 +/- 7/83 and mean BMI of two groups are 26/25 +/- 3/6 and 24/95 +/- 3/25. Mean duration of disease of two groups are 7 +/- 4/68 and 6/44 +/- 5/3. Those two groups of patients for these parameters and also for basic FBS and 2hppBS are statistically equal. At the end of three months of study FBS and 2hppBS in each group significantly decreased [P < 0/001]. But this different between two groups are not significant [P-0/661 for FBS and P=0/782 for 2hppBS]. But in the end of the first and second months FBS in case group is significantly lower from control group [P=0/006 for first month and P=0/05 for second one]. Although in other studies that done Chlroquine has reported effective in decreasing of blood sugar of patient with DM type II, but in this study has not approved Reasons of this difference maybe because of different of duration of study or use of hydroxychlroquine instead of Chlroquine or don't being of control group in pervious study

[Evaluation of serum aluminum level before and after [DFO] test in patients of hemodialysis unit of Zahedan]

Background: aluminum accumulation in plasma and tissues is a well-described complication among persons undergoing peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis. Excess bone aluminum is associated with low bone formation rates and increased risk for fractures. Current recommendations for care of patients with end-stage renal disease include screening for aluminum toxicity with plasma aluminum levels; patients with levels below20 micro g/L are considered to be at low risk for aluminum related bone disease [ARBD]. By attention to some clinical symptoms that maybe related to AL toxicity, we measured serum AL level before and after DFO test

Methods and materials: in this descriptive study the incidence of AL toxicity in patients on hemodialysis in Khatam-Al-Anbia hospital of Zahedan-Iran was measured. In 35 patients on hemodialysis, serum level of AL before and after DFO test was measured. We also measured serum level of Ca, P, ALP, PTH and Ferritin in these groups of patients. To evaluate AL level in water used for hemodialysis it was measured at the same time

Results: in our study serum AL levels in most of patients were high [32 out of 35]. It may be due to high level of AL in dialysate. Dialysate AL level before and after RO [Reverse Osmosis] were 16 microgram/Lit and 19.8 microgram/Lit respectively. In only 3 out of 35 patient's serum AL levels of baseline were less than 20 microgram/Lit and DFO test in one of them was positive. Serums AL level of 16 patients were between 20 to 40 microgram I Lit and in 16 patients were more than 40 microgram/Lit

Conclusions: in conclusion treatment with improperly processed water was the major causes of aluminum toxicity in uremic patients

[Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in blood donors who referred to blood transfusion organization of Zahedan]

Background: because of increase in number of side effect that caused by hypovitaminosis D, this study has been done to find out prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in blood donors

Methods and Materials: in this Cross - sectional and descriptive study, we evaluated 183 persons, 163 male [89.07%] and 20 female [10.92%]. The average range of women and men was 17-52y and 17-53y respectively

Results: the results revealed that 8 persons [4.4%] had sever hypo vitaminosis D [vit<25 nmol/l]. 124 persons [67.8%]: mild hypovitaminosis D [vit D=25-62.4nmol/l], 45 persons [24.6%]: normal serum level of vit D [62.5-125 nmol/l] and 6 persons [3.3%] had hyper vitaminosis D [> 125 nmol/l]. Prevalence of hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia in blood donors was 95 persons [51.9%] and 10 persons [5.5%] respectively. Also average serum level of PTH was 32.1 +/-33. 4 pg / ml

Conclusions: the above finding suggests a solid and effective programming for education of people about prevalence and complications of hypovitaminosis D, more effective screaming studies for improving knowledge of individual about prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and related disease in society and necessity of medical health personnel's knowledge about hypovitaminosis D

Knowledge of and attitudes towards family planning by male teachers in the Islamic Republic of Iran

A cross-sectional study was carried out on knowledge of and attitudes to family planning in male teachers working in the education system in Teheran. We found that 65% of the study population had acceptable knowledge regarding the issue. More than 95% of respondents reported having a favourable attitude towards the implementation of family planning programmes and about 90% believed that decision-making regarding use of contraceptives should be a joint process. To improve the planning and administration of family planning programmes, the main variables identified in this study should be further investigated in different population groups. Addressing men in family planning programmes may improve their success and lead to increased contraceptive use

[Macroscopic and microscopic study of teniae uterina in water buffalo]

Band like structures were found on the dorsal surface of the body and the cornua of the uterus in water buffalo [Bubalus bubalis] in a macroscopic study and designated as uterine bands [Teniae uterine]. Among 174 uteri studied in 96.63% of cases [172 samples] these structures were observed at on or both cornua. Only 3.27% of the cases [96 samples] had no distinct bands. In microscopic study these bands were seen as projections of dense connective tissue and smooth muscle fibers extending in different directions. These bands were rest on top of the myometrium covered by mesometrium. According to our knowledge no report indicating the existence of these structures in ruminants as well as buffalo is reported so far. It is suggested that these bands play a supporting role on uterine muscular wall during pregnancy