effect of exercise on premenstrual syndrome [PMS]

In the light of prevalence of premenstrual syndrome, its effects on women as well as social living qualities and public tendency toward alternative complementary and non-drug treatment, and contradictory reports about the effects of exercise on PMS, this research is conducted on students residing in Shaheed Beheshti University dormitory in 2004. This clinical trial [before and after treatment] was carried out on 35 single students with premenstrual symptoms. The diagnosis of PMS was based on the PMS complications standard multiple choice checklist, which include 30 psycho-somatic items. The subjects were classified into two groups based on their checklist scores. The mild group [scores less than 30], and the moderate to severe one [scores >/= 30]. The subjects carried out the instructed aerobic exercises three times a day, and also 30 minutes of daily walking for two weeks before their menstruation for a period of two months. They were handed out the PMS complication checklist at the beginning of each month so that they could fill it out daily based on "no problem", "mild", "moderate" and "severe" status. The case was considered as improved if the total PMS score was reduced by one in comparison with the start of the study. The status of PMS was investigated at the end of the first and the second months. The PMS and psychotic symptoms score before the study was compared with the end of the first and the second months exercise and evaluated based on Wilcoxon and McNemar tests. Prevalence of PMS in dormitory female students was 22.2% [16.12-28.3, CI: 95%]. The total PMS score was reduced on 29 subjects [82.9%] after two months of exercise [P=0.001]. While 30 cases [85.5%] had improved psychotic symptoms [P=0.001] and 26 subjects [74.4%] had improved physical symptoms [P=0.001]. Exercise resulted in improved physical symptoms including abdominal pain, back pain [P=0.05], breast tenderness [P=0.08], and psychotic symptoms including irritability, impatience, weakness, fatigue, weeping, depression, tendency to remain indoors [P=0.05] and anxiety [P=0.08]. Exercise improves PMS. However, it is recommended that a complete experimental study [including control] be performed to investigate the effects on various exercises on subjects in longer periods of time

Relationship between serum IgE and intestinal parasites

Intestinal parasitosis has been a major public health problem in Iran. It is necessary to evaluate an up-date data in this regard to be used by local authorities. Serum IgE determinations and coproparasitological analyses were conducted on 1200 individuals in city of Ghaemshahr, Mazandaran province, northern Iran. A total of 1200 subjects were taken stool samples for three days consecutively. Two hundred and ninety seven cases [24.7%0] were positive for parasitic diseases. The age group of 8-15 years old encompassed the highest rate of infection which showed a significant difference with the other groups [P< 0.01]. No significant difference was detected between males and females as to the rate of infection based on the Chi-squared test [14.2% vs. 10.6%], but a significant difference was seen between infection rate and cases education [P<0.01]. An about 5-fold elevation in serum IgE level was demonstrated. Intervention programs including health education and environmental sanitation are recommended