ABSTRACT
Background: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of smoking behaviors among students of Art University in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on 400 participants of Art University. A self-administrated, anonymous questionnaire was used for data gathering. Results: The prevalence of smoking was 30.3% including 44.7% of men and 15.9% of women [p<0.001]. The mean duration of smoking was 4.93 3.41 years. There was a significant association between smoking behaviors among students and their gender, duration of study, income status, the existence of smoking among family and absence of one parent. Conclusion: The prevalence of cigarette smoking among students of the Art University seems to be high. Utilizing proper methods to increase the level of knowledge might lead to a decrease in prevalence of smoking among this population
ABSTRACT
Accuracy and efficiency in screening program for congenital hypothyroidism [CH] in each geographical area requires regional studies and updating protocols. This study performed to assess factors possibly interactive with the result of screening test for CH in Ahvaz. During 19 months [Nov 2006-May 2008] all newborns in Ahvaz enrolled in screening by heel prick sampling for TSH then were referred for confirmation if it was >/= 5mIU/L. In next step, second assays considered as hypothyroid if TSH remained >/= 10 mlU/L. The factors were studied including: age, history of hypothyroidism in mother, sex, birth weight [BW], birth number, feeding, parental consanguinity, TSH levels and duration of normalization of TSH. In totally of 35655 neonates were screened. 1162 cases [55.8%M, 44.2% F with p<0.001] recalled [3.25%]. Our study showed sex difference that was not significant in confirmed CH [82] cases [52.4% M,47.6% F with P=0.6], and also for TSH levels in both suspicious and confirmed individuals [P=0.55 and p=0.49 respectively]. The 90% of registered suspicious neonates were healthy, ad consequently discharged without treatment. Our study was shown hypothyroid neonates [3.7 +/- 1.8 kg] had no correlation with TSH [P=0.6 and p=0.3]. Also there were no correlation between TSH levels and the above-mentioned studied factors. If TSH level was high in screening test a longer time was needed for its normalization [P=0.03]. This study showed that suspicious and hypothyroid dominancy was mainly in boys with no relation to TSH. This suggests that healthy newborns suspicious to CH with elevated TSH need to be followed longer without treatment
ABSTRACT
Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of endemic goiter. Frequency of goiter has remained >5% despite iodide supplementation and sufficient iodide intake. Other causes have to be investigated. This study was conducted to assess influences of malnutrition on persistence of goiter frequency while iodine intake is sufficient. 1504 school age children [8-10 year] were selected randomly and examined in south of Iran - Firoozabad. 102 cases with goiter grade 2 and 3 were found. 100 completely normal children regarding thyroid examination were also selected randomly as control. Growth parameters [Weight for age, Height for age and Body Mass Index] and urinary iodine as an indicator of iodine intake were assessed in both groups. Median of urinary iodine was 21 micro g/dL in patients. [>10 micro g/dL indicates sufficiency of iodine intake.] Regarding growth indicators there was not statistically significant difference between the two groups, which rules out malnutrition as a cause of persistence of goiter. On the other hand our study may show that malnutrition [several nutritional deficiencies] could be as a cause of goiter just in the presence of iodine deficiency. Larger studies in iodine sufficient but with more severe malnutrition or comparison of frequency of goiter before and after nutritional improvement in a population with malnutrition and iodine sufficiency may be more helpful. Malnutrition per se could not be considered as a cause of goiter when iodine intake is sufficient
ABSTRACT
Thymus kotschyanus [Lamiaceae] is a valuable plant species which mainly grow in mountainous regions. Different species of this plant have worldwide distribution especially in Mediterranean region. The plant is a woody, small, patchy, or perennial herb with a woody base. It is well known as a medicinal plant with energetic and antibacterial actions. The essence is especially used in drying industries, cosmetics and trade industries. To study genetical biodiversity of the T. kotschyanus and interaction of ecological conditions on the plant essence. The samples were collected from three elevation bands and the essence combination were analysed. The results showed that essence content were between 0/95 - 1/87% and the yield is 1.23% and due to high content of essence is valuable in drugs industry. Generally, 37 different combinations were analysed by GC-MS. in elevation bands which showed Carvacrol [60.82- 82.05%] and Thymol [1.56-13.94%] are the most important substances in T. kotschyanus. This study showed that essence of this species has high content of Thymol and Carvacrol which are two medically important