[Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among women in Minoodar district of Qazvin; interventional propositions]

Regarding the social changes and epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases, the health status and life style change specially in women of our country, and in view of multi-factorial etiology of cardiovascular diseases, evaluating the risk factors of such clinical complications seems to be of prime importance. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among women aged 20 years and over, in Minoodar district of Qazvin, accompanied with interventional propositions to lower the risk of such diseases. This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 400 [out of a total population of 40,000, based on cluster sampling] women aged 20 or above in Minoodar district of Qazvin, in 2007. Questionnaire, physical exam, and biochemical tests were the materials of the present research. Using SPSS 11, the data were analyzed by chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. The mean systolic blood pressure in study population was 118 +/- 16 and diastolic 76 +/- 10 mmHg, waist circumference 95 +/- 12 cm, total cholesterol 173.5 +/- 33, triglycerides 146 +/- 55mg/dl. The values obtained for the prevalence of major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were, cigarette smoker 0.8%, physical inactivity 62%, undesired body mass index 80%, waist circumference over 88 cm 97.5%, high blood pressure 6.5%, diabetes mellitus 5%, hypercholesterolemia 21%, hypertriglyceridemia 36.5%, and metabolic syndrome 30%. In view of high prevalence of risk factors found in our study, mobilizing the activities into interventional approaches to lower the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases is of prime priorities and mass media could play a crucial role in this regard

[ effect of Magnesium sulfate on reducing Propofol injection pain in elective surgeries]

Propofol, an anesthetic noted to give rapid recovery, causes discomfort at the site of injection. A number of methods to reduce propofol-induced pain have been tried, including pretreatment with lidocaine, with varying results. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of magnesium sulfate compared to that of lidocaine and normal saline in mitigating propofol-induced pain. One hundred ASA I and II adults, aged 20-50 years, scheduled for elective surgery requiring two IV lines with 20-gauge cannulae in the dorsum of each hand, were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly placed into two groups of 50 patients. In each patient, one hand was the case study and other hand was the control. Group A received 10% magnesium sulfate in one hand and normal saline in the other hand. Group B received 10% magnesium sulfate in one hand and 1% lidocaine in the other hand. All injections had a volume of 2 ml. After 30 seconds, 2 cc of 1% propofol was injected simultaneously into each hand. Pain was assessed according to the VAS rating system, ranging from 0 [no pain] to 10 [the most severe pain], with a minimum interval of 3 as significant pain. Data were analyzed by chi-square and independent t tests. A P value <0.05 was considered significant. In Group A, the mean pain in the hand premedicated with magnesium was 1.46 +/- 1.07, compared to 4.54 +/- 2.15 for that of the other hand that had received normal saline [P=0.001]. In group B, the mean pain in the hand that had received magnesium was 0.82 +/- 1.34, compared to 0.78 +/- 1.07 for that of the other hand, which had received lidocaine [P=0.86]. Intravenous magnesium and lidocaine pretreatments are equally effective in attenuating propofol-induced pain, and were better than normal saline in attenuating propofol-induced pain

[Anterior transcervicothoracic approach for complete resection of cervicothoracic mediastinal tumors]

Mediastinal tumors consist of wide spectrum of benign and malignant disease. Some of these tumors which locate in the thoracic apex can produce many problems in decision making due to developing to neck spaces. With thoracotomy approach most of these tumors cannot be resected totally because of close attachment of these tumors to great vessels and removal of these tumors accompanied with dangerous complications and massive hemorrhages during surgery. The goal of this study is to report the operated cases of these kinds of tumors with anterior trans cervical-thoracic approach. Depending on the tumor extension in neck spaces, first with on oblique incision near the SCM [Sternoclidomastoeid] muscle neck space dissection is done, In all patients the clavicle head is resected to see the subclavian vessels, then with continuing the incision, as in partial sternotomy, the mediastinal space is being assessed for complete removal of tumor. If needed, for complete removal of mediastinal tumor, the operation is completed with an anterior thoracotomy. There were 3 patients in our study; all were females; with age between 10 to 21 years old. Pathology reports of them were: one case ganglioneuroblastoma, one case neurofibroma and the other, medullary carcinoma of thyroid. Tumor extension in neck spaces in 2 patients was at the left side and in one patient in right side. In all three patients tumors were completely removed by mentioned technique and only in one case an anterior thoracotomy was needed to remove the huge mediastinal tumor. Total resection of tumors were done in all 3 patients and there were no severe injuries to great vessels and all patients were discharged from hospital without any complications and are being observed for 6 months until now without tumor recurrence. The median time for hospitalization was 5.5 days. Due to good exposure of neck and mediastinal great vessels and succeed in removing these tumors, we advise using this technique for approaching them. Of course it is obvious that more studies are needed in future

Study of calories and macronutrients intake in people of Rasht and Qazvin

A balanced nutrition is in direct association with health. To compare calories and macronutrients intake in people from two areas of Rasht and Qazin cities. This cross sectional study was on performed on 1100 person over 30 years [cluster random] in Rasht and Qazin in 2003. Dietary assessment was performed using a standard questionnaire. Student t-test and Pierson correlation were used for statistical analyses. Finding: We found that a series of unhealthy food habits such as consumption of hydrogenated fats, fried meat and vegetables, addition of extra salt to meals at time of eating were frequent in two cities. While there was a higher consumption of bread, legumes, meat and candies in Qazvin, demands for nutrients such as rice, dairy products, fruits, fast and poultry were higher in Rasht. Daily calories intake > 3000 kcal and consumption of macronutrients such as lipid > 100gr, carbohydrates > 550gr and proteins >100gr was more evident in Qazin. There were unhealthy dietary habits in two areas. No appropriate balance was seen between nutrients intake [low proteins, high fats and high carbohydrates]. Correction of food habits and also more emphasis on nutrition education are recommended

[Quantitative measurement and ranking of jobrelated stressors: a preliminary survey in anesthesiology residents]

Stress is undoubtedly one of the best known factors that threaten the health of an anesthesiologist. There are few quantitative measures about the job-related stress in anesthesiology. This study attempts to determine these job-related stressors, measure them quantitatively and rank them. In this cross-sectional study after reviewing the literature and extraction of stressors to which anesthesiologists and residents are exposed, a primary list of occupational problems [30 questions] was compiled. In phase I, 39 registered residents [group A] answered the questionnaire before beginning their program. Then the questionnaire was revised slightly based on phase I experiences and a final version of the questionnaire [34questions], was completed by 85 first- to third- year residents in phase 11. To assess the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach a was calculated for groups A and B as 0.929 and 0.927 respectively. ANOVA was highly significant [P<0.0001]. After data collection, answers were ranked zero to four and mean score for each resident was calculated. Then we averaged these mean scores and named it: "Anesthesiology problem score [APS]". Besides, all residents completed SCL-90R screening test questionnaire and we extracted its nine subscales. In group A, "financial problems" and "vague career future" and in group B, "vague career future" and "inadequate training of residents" were ranked as the most important problems. In both groups, "fear of addiction" was the least important problem. To measure the relationship between APS and nine Scl-90K subscales, parametric correlation test was performed. This relationship appeared significant for all subscales [P<0.02] .Besides, T-test for independent groups showed significant difference in APS between two sex groups [1.2 1 for men and 1.5 1 for women, P=0.04]. One- way ANOVA showed significant difference in APS among educational years [P=0.04]. We conclude that: "anxiety about career future" is the most important occupational stressor among young anesthesiologists. Statistical tests show the relationship between occupational stress and the following: I. SCL-90R Scores, 2- The extent of work experience. In addition these tests demonstrate that stressors are different in quality and quantity among men and women

prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among population aged over 30 years in Rasht and Qazvin

Previous studies show that the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is high in Iran. To determine the cardiovascular risk factors in cities of Rasht and Qazvin. This cross sectional study was performed on 1100 persons over 30 years in cities of Rasht and Qazvin in 2003. Serum lipids including triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and fasting blood sugar were determined. Parameters such as height, weight, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure were also measured. The results showed that the prevalence of obesity was significantly [P<0.05] higher in women [20% in Rasht and 18.8% in Qazvin with BMI>30]. Hypertriglyceridemia of more than 300 mg/dl was more prevalent in Rasht [14% of women and 16.5% of men]. Hypercholesterolemia greater than 240 mg/dl was more prevalent among women in Rasht and also men in Qazvin [23% of women in Rasht and 17.8% of men in Qazvin]. Low levels of HDL-C were found in Rasht among both sexes [32.5% of women and 60.2% of men with less than 35 mg/dl]. FBS levels were slightly higher in Rasht population [10.9% of women and 8.1% of men with more than 140 mg/dl] compared to people from Qazvin. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher [P<0.05] in Qazvin. Based on the data found in our present study, the cardiovascular risk factors are more prevalent in both cities particularly in Rasht. It seems that more educational recommendations, propagation of physical activities and also the modification of food consumption habits are necessary

Peroxide and non-peroxide antibacterial activity in some Iranian honeys

A range of some Iranian monofloral honeys were assayed for antibacterial activity with and without hydrogen peroxide which is inactivated by the addition of catalase. It was found that the high amount of antibacterial activity in honeys was due to a factor other than hydrogen peroxide. The test microorganism Staphylococcus aureus, was not inhibited by the acidity or the osmolarity of the honey. The association of high antibacterial activity with particular florae sources suggest that the non-peroxide antibacterial activity is of floral origin. The activity of some Iranian honeys were tested and found to be heat stable