[Amount of baking soda and salt in bakeries of Mehrdasht city [Najafabad] during 2009-10]

Bread is a valuable source of proteins, minerals and calories. Baking soda prevents the absorption of bread and more salt used in the production of bread causes different diseases. This study aimed to determine the amount of soda and salt used in bakeries of Mehrdasht. This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 50 bakeries of Mehrdasht city during 2009-10. A total number of 400 samples were randomly collected from all bakeries in four steps [two loaves from first batch]. The measurement of PH and salt was done in accordance with the standard method of Institute of Standard and Industrial Research of Iran [ISIRI, 1999]. The PH less than 6.2 was seen in 91.5% of samples and the most PH values above 6.2 were in Lavash bread [12.5%]. In 64.5% of samples, the amount of salt was more than the standard. A significant difference was seen between the amount of baking soda and the season while no significant difference was seen between the type of bread and the salt consumption [P=0.042].The amount of baking soda used in the bakeries of this city is not high; either bakers had no enough knowledge about the amount of salt used for production of bread or had more other reasons to use more or less salt than the standard. Therefore, drastic measures to control the amounts of baking soda and salt in bakeries are recommended

Relationship of exudative age-related macular degeneration with body mass index

To determine the correlation between body mass index [BMI] and exudative age-related macular degeneration [ARMD]. This case-control study was conducted on 60 patients with exudative ARMD and 60 controls, both aged over 50. Age, sex, cigarette smoking and blood pressure were evaluated beside BMI. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software, version 9.0 using Pearson Chi square and t tests. Odds ratio [OR] with 95% confidence interval [95%CI] was calculate for over-weight [BMI> 25 kg/m[2]] and smoking. Subjects were male in 66.7% of the case group and 43.3% of the control group. [P<0.01]. Mean age was 71.0 and 71.4 years in the case and control groups, respectively. Mean DM1 was 26.77 and 25.32 kg/m[2] in the case and control groups, respectively. [P>0.05] There were 5% lean [BM1 <20 kg/m[2]], 35% normal-weight [20 0.05] Being over-weight did not predispose to exudative ARMD before [OR= 1.71, 95% CI: 0.81-3.57] and after [OR= 1.65, 95% CI: 0.73-2.6] omitting the smoking factor. Cigarette smoking was a significant risk factor for exudative ARMD [OR= 10.54, 95%CI: 2.33-49.47]. This study showed no significant relation between BM1 and exudative ARMD