[Prevalence of various phenotypes of polycystic ovarian syndrome among high school girls of Shiraz [2009]]

Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is the most common endocrine disorder in women and cause of infertility due to lack of ovulation. The symptoms of PCOS are observed during puberty and it is assumed that the weight gain during this period to be associated with this syndrome. To determine the prevalence of phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents in Shiraz. This was a cross-sectional study in which 3190 female adolescents aged between 14 to 18 years, randomly selected from high schools in Shiraz, were studied. Diagnosis of PCOS was achieved through taking history and examination based on presence of oligomenorrhea [six times menstrual cycles or less in one year], clinical signs of hyperandrogenism including hirsutism [Ferriman-Gallway scores of 6 or more], severe acne, male pattern hair loss, and ultrasonography. The hormone dehydroepiandrostandion sulfate levels were measured for all subjects. Data were analyzed using the chi square test and Fisher's t exact-test. The prevalence of PCOS phenotypes were as follows: clinical hyperandrogenism and oligomenorrhea 19.9% [29 cases], clinical hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary 30.8% [45 cases], oligomenorrhea and polycystic ovary 29.5% [43 cases], and clinical hyperandrogenism with oligomenorrhea and polycystic ovary 14.5% [21 cases]. The frequency of highest levels of dehydroepiandrostandion sulfate was observed in patients with oligomenorrhea and hyperandrogenism. The risks of sex hormones turmoil, psychological effects of skin symptoms [acne and hirsutism], and numerous side-effects of this syndrome make it necessary to perform an early investigation in target population

[Estimation of aerobic capacity [VO[2]-max] and study of its associated factors among male workers of industrial factories in Sepidan/Fars province, 2009]

Measurement of Maximum aerobic capacity [VO[2]-max] is important in physiologically fitting the job to the worker. This study was conducted to estimate VO[2]max of industrial workers and to determine its demographic associated factors. In this cross-sectional study, 184 randomly selected male workers of industrial sector of Sepidan/Fars province participated. A questionnaire consisted of two parts was used as data collecting tool. The first part was related to workers' demographic characteristics which was completed by interview. In the second part of the questionnaire, the value of the measured variables including height, weight, BMI and pulse rate were entered. VO[2]-max was measured by Tuxworth and Shahnavaz method. To investigate association between demographic variables and VO[2]-max, linear regression analysis was applied. T-test was used to compare mean value of VO[2]-max in different groups [based on the variables studied]. Workers' aerobic capacity was estimated to be 2.66 +/- 0.35 Lit/M. The results showed that there was no association between VO[2]-max and age while associations were found between VO[2]-max and weight as well as height and BMI. Statistical analysis revealed association between VO[2]-max and smoking. The results also demonstrated that VO[2]-max was higher among those workers who exercised as compared with other workers with no exercise [p=0.019]. Shift working, job satisfaction, and fatigue had no association with aerobic capacity. Aerobic capacity had association with weight, height, BMI, exercise and smoking

[Comparison of two methods of fixation with Carnoy's solution and 96% ethyl alcohol in pap smear slides]

Cervical carcinoma is a significant health care problem world wide. The Papanicolaou test is the most common effective tool available for early detection of cervical cancer. Blood could have a negative influence on the quality of the pap smear. Good fixation reduces red blood cells of the back ground slides and can help to improve this technique. One of the effective solutions for hemolyzing red blood cells is using Carnoy's solution. The aim of this study was to compare two methods of fixation with Carnoys solution and 96% ethyl alcohol in bloody pap smear slides. This study was done on 450 bloody slides of pap smear prepared from cervical cells of 225 women who referred for annual screening of cervical cancer from 1384-85 in Zeinabie and Faghihi hospitals in Shiraz. In each case, after observation of contact bleeding, two samples with conventional pap smear method were prepared. In the first method one of the samples was fixed in 96% ethyl alcohol for 5 minute and another sample was fixed with Carnoys solution for 20 minutes. Then the slides were stained with papanicolaou method and were evaluated by two pathologists. Collected data were analyzed with Fishers exact test, Pearson chi-square test and Independent sample T test. Results of this study showed that presence of squamous cells and glandular cells in Carnoys fixed slides was more than alcohol-fixed slides. The reduction of red blood cells of the back ground of slides and increase of slide clearance in Carnoys fixed slides were more than alcohol fixed slides. The diagnosis of inflammatory cells and pathogen microorganisms in Carnoy's fixed slides were more than alcohol fixed slides but diagnosis of epithelial cells and glandular cells abnormalities in two methods was not statistically significant. Carnoys stain can be effectively used for proper fixation of Pap smear slides

[Assessment of proportional hazard rate of endocrine disease in major beta-thalassemia in Shiraz 2005-2006]

Thalassemia is the most common hemolytic anemia in Iran and around the world that needs regular blood transfusion. Transfusion leads to iron overload in the body. Absence or irregular chelation therapy in these patients leads to various complications such as cardiac diseases, endocrine disorders and infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hazard rate of endocrine disease and related factors using COX model. This cross-sectional study was carried out on eight-hundred and six thalassemic [406 male and 400 female] patients referring to Cooley's ward of Dastgheib hospital in Shiraz who were studied using a structured questionnaire through enumeration method. Age of occurrence, demographic information, age of onset and type of transfusion, and age of onset and method of chelation therapy were specified. Specialist physicians diagnosed the complications. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical [Proportional hazard rate and its confidence interval using COX model] statistical. The range of the subject's age was between 1-43 years and mean age +/- SD was 15.34 +/- 6.82 years. The prevalence rate of hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism and diabetes mellitus was 14.5%, 2.4%, 6.9% and 7.5% respectively and the mean age of onset of hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism and diabetes mellitus was 18.42 +/- 3.6, 15.83 +/- 3.5, 16.98 +/- 4.5 and 17.19 +/- 4.8 respectively. There was a significant association between proportional hazard rate of all complications and age of chelation therapy onset [P<0/05]. Proportional hazard rate of hypogonadism also was related to the sex and educational level of the patient's mothers [P<0/05]. Proportional hazard rate of hyperparathyroidism also was related to sex and occupational status of the patient's mothers. Early onset of blood transfusion with late onset of chelating increases the occurrence probability and early onset of complications. To prevent these complications, it is recommended that onset of blood transfusion be according to the onset of chelating. Educational level of parents and educating parents and patients is very important. Progression of complications can be prevented by regular survey and early diagnosis of complications and can lead to high efficacy of patients

[Measurement of intraocular pressure using schiotz vs tono-pen tonometers in patients with primary congenital glaucoma]

To compare the Tono-pen and Schiotz tonometers in measurement of intraocular pressure [IOP] in patients with primary congenital glaucoma. This study was conducted on 38 eyes of 20 patients with primary congenital glaucoma. All measurements were performed under general anesthesia. One minute after receiving Halothane 3% IOP was determined by Tono-pen and then by Schiotz tonometers. Data were analyzed by regression analysis and Bland-Altman bias plot. Mean age of patients was 19.4 +/- 14.5 months and 15 [75%] of them were male. Glaucoma was bilateral in 18 [90%] and unilateral in 2 [10%] subjects. Mean IOP measured by Tono-pen and Schiotz tonometers was 19.39 +/- 8.51 and 18.84 +/- 8.9 mmHg, respectively. These tonometers had good concordance in determination of IOP in primary congenital glaucoma according to the results of regression analysis and Bland-Altman bias plot. Considering the sample size of this study, the Tono-pen and Shiotz tonometers are highly concordant regarding intraocular pressure measurement in children with primary congenital glaucoma