Microlithiasis and Nephrolithiasis among infants: Is it a new phenomenon?

Although nephrolithiasis is a rare but a serious problem for children's health, recent data has showed that the prevalence of pediatric nephrolithiasis has increased in both developed and developing countries. North and West of Iran, as a country located in Afro-Asian stone-forming belt, has the highest incidence for renal stones among adults. This study aimed to determine the incidence of microlithiasis and nephrolithiasis among infants in a city at North West of Iran. It was a cross-sectional study on infants aged less than one year old, diagnosed as patients with microlithiasis and nephrolithiasis, over three months period [since March 2010] who were referred to pediatrician in a city of East Azerbaijan province. Demographic data [age, sex], number of stones, size of stones, presence of hydronephrosis in kidneys, history of jaundice and family history of stone disease were recorded. Incidence of microlithiasis and nephrolithiasis was 0.04866 and 0.03244, respectively. Fever [30%] was the main cause of complication. Male to female ratio was 4:1, and 20% of our subjects had a positive history of nephrolithiasis in their first degree relatives. This area has the highest incidence of microlithiasis and nephrolithiasis. Emergent population-based and case-control studies are needed to report its incidence/prevalence of nephrolithiasis in other parts of the country as well as to find its etiology

[ role of watching TV. in obesity and behavioral problems in children]

Obesity and overweight as risk factors for many health-related problems have shown an increasing trend in most countries in recent years. Increase in watching television in childhood has been associated with adverse effects on health and behavior in children. Low physical activity due to television viewing is known as a risk factor for childhood obesity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity/behavioral problems and television viewing in girls of elementary schools in Tabriz city, Iran. This descriptive comparative study was conducted with a study sample consisting of 300 students girls [7-11 years old] of elementary schools in Tabriz city, selected based on Body Mass Index by stratified random sampling. The data about television viewing were obtained from parent reports using demografic questionnaire and behavioral problems in children were assessed using Child Behavior Check List. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 11.5]. The results showed that student girls in overweight and obese groups were viewing television more than those in group of normal Body Mass Index and had lower levels of activity competency. The results suggests a positive and statistical significant association between obesity/overweight and viewing television [r =0.16, P<0.005].The children who were viewing television more than 2 hours per day, had a greater Body Mass Index [P<0.011]. The length of viewing television had a statistical significant correlation with somatic complaints in children [r =0.153, P=0.008]. As watching television for long times is associated with overweighting in children, it is suggested to parents for decreasing television watching time as a preventive method of overweighting

Long-term effects of processed Berberis vulgaris on some metabolic syndrome components

Metabolic syndrome is complex of metabolic disorders that correlates with cardiovascular disease. This study aimed at investigating the effect of processed Berberis vulgaris [B.vulgaris] on some metabolic syndrome components. Participants, type2 diabetics, were recruited in a randomized controlled clinical trial [n = 57] and randomly assigned into three groups: 1] processed B.vulgaris [n =19], 2] apple vinegar group [n =19] and 3] control group [n =19]. Height, weight, serum total cholesterol, HDL-, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and insulin concentrations were measured at baseline and at the end of the 8th week and BMI, total/HDL-cholesterol ratio and insulin resistance were estimated. Processed B.vulgaris group showed no significant effects on BMI, total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose concentrations, whereas LDL-cholesterol concentration [22.48 +/- 35.44mg/dl] and total/HDL-cholesterol ratio [2.56 +/- 4.87] significantly decreased and HDL-cholesterol concentration [12.33 +/- 20.58mg/dl] increased [P < 0.05]. No significant effect on lipid profiles was found in the apple vinegar group. Increased insulin concentration and insulin resistance was observed in all of these groups [P < 0.001], independent of processed B.vulgaris and apple vinegar effects. Findings of the present study showed the beneficial effects of processed B.vulgaris on certain atherosclerosis risk factors