[Determination of cephalic index and shape of head in adult female students in Birjand city during 2013]

Background and Aim: Cephalometery, as one of the most significant section of anthropometry examines the facial and cephalic indeces. Since the measurements are affected by geographical factors, gender, age, and race, the obtained results are based on the community under study. Regarding lack of investigations on cephalometry in Birjand, the present study aimed at determining cephalic indexes and standard classification of neurocranium in 15-17 year old female students in the city in 2013

Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 437 healthy female 15-17 year old students in Birjand during 2013, who were selected through cluster sampling. Then, cephalic indices of the subjects were determined using standard Martin Scale Cephalometer, according to Gray's Anatomy Cephalometric Method. The obtained data were collected according were analyzed using SPSS soft ware [V:13]

Results: Mean maximum head length and breadth in the subjects were found to be 177.6 +/- 7.54mm and 141.6 +/- 5.84mm, respectively. Total neurocranium index was determined 79.88 +/- 4.64 mm. The head shape of 43% of the individuals was mesocephalic, 33/4% brachycephalic, 12/12% hyperbrachycephalic and 11/44% dolichocephalic

Conclusion: The present study on cephalometry revealed that adult female students in Birjand city mostly have a mesocephalic phenotype

Sexual behavior of married Iranian women, attending Taleghani public health center

Sexual practices as an important aspect of reproductive health have many physical and psychological effects on people's lives, there is limited evidence on such practices and their pattern among Iranian women. Hence we aimed to determine different types of sexual practices among 19-45 year old married Iranian women. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 married women, aged 19-45 years, attending Taleghani Public Health Center for annual gynecologic examination during November 2008 to May 2009 using convenient sampling. The participants were enquired about their experience regarding different types of sex, as well as their views and feelings about such practices, using an anonymous questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 34 years. All had ever experienced vaginal sex and 50.9% reported ever experience of other types of sex [non-vaginal], as well. Due to some stigma attached to non-vaginal sexual practices among women in Iran, the feelings of women with regard to different sexual practices were also examined in this paper. This study showed that non-vaginal sex among women is considerable and because of less favourable views of women towards such practices, it seems that these practices might have psychologically impacts on women's life. Hence, counseling and educational programs designed for married men and women can include some factual information about different types of sex

[ retrospective evaluation of epidemiological, clinical and laboratory features of brucellosis in 230 patients in Hamadan, Iran: a brief report]

Brucellosis is one of the most common infectious diseases in Iran with very different clinical manifestations. In this retrospective descriptive study, all patients with brucellosis, who were admitted in Farshchian Hospital in Hamadan, Iran in 2005 to 2010, were enrolled in the study. The data were collected from the patients' medical records and were entered in forms for analysis. A total of 230 patients with brucellosis, including 130 [56.5%] male and 100 [43.5%] female patients with a mean age of 40.84 +/- 20.29 years, who mostly [72.2%] lived in rural areas were enrolled in the study. Outbreaks were most common in spring and summer and the main route of transmission was consumption of contaminated dairy products [60.3%]. The most common symptoms were fever [77.4%], arthralgia [70%], sweating [47%], malaise and fatigue [46.5%]. Arthritis and epididymo- orchitis were seen in 121 [52.9%] and 48 [8.20%] patients, respectively. CBC analysis showed leukocytosis in 20.8% of the participants. ESR rise was noted in 59.5% of the patients and 52.9% had positive CRP. Given to various clinical presentations, brucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of individuals with chronic fever with or without other organ abnormalities

[ case report of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia presenting syncope]

Patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy have Ventricular Tachycardia [VT] and left bundle branch block contours with right-axis deviation and T-waves inversion in pericardial leads. Presenting case was a 28 years old man admitted with palpitation and syncope. The electrocardiography showed Ventricular tachycardia with left bundle branch block contour and T wave inversions in V[1] to V[6] and incomplete right bundle branch block and T wave inversions in V[1] to V[3]. Echocardiography revealed right ventricular [RV] dilatation. RV function was abnormal, and aneurismal formation in free wall was seen in 3D echocardiography. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy remains as a primary diagnoses, in case of patients with ventricular tachycardia, left bundle branch block contour and T waves inversion in pericardial leads and without any history of ischemic heart disease

Value of automated ECG interpretation in diagnosis of cardiac disorders

Electrocardiography [ECG] is a valuable device in the assessment of cardiovascular diseases. Recent medical software developments such as the invention of modern automated ECG interpreters have greatly facilitated the work of electrocardiographers and cardiologists. We present our experience in the use of one such device in the routine reporting of 200 successive ECGs recorded in our Cardiac Care Unit and Cardiac Emergency Ward. The interpretations of 200 ECGs provided by the GE-digital ECG device were chosen and compared with those supplied by four cardiologists in a single blind manner. All statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS version 11.5 for windows. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. There was a diagnostic match between the interpretations by the device and those by the cardiologists in 107 [53.5%] cases as opposed to a diagnostic mismatch in 93 cases [46.5%]. The matching rate in the interpretations of myocardial ischemic disorders was high, which means practically all the ischemic cases diagnosed by the device were confirmed by the cardiologists. Only in 12 cases myocardial infarction or ischemic changes were reported by the cardiologists, while they were missed by the device. As regards rhythm disorders, the sensitivity and specificity of the device were 67.7% and 75.7%, respectively. With respect to conductive disorders, the respective sensitivity and specificity of the device were 70% and 96.6%, respectively. Finally, in the case of structural disorders, the interpretations of the device were 92.8% sensitive and 83.3% specific. According to the results of our study and similar researches, it seems that the interpretations of an automated ECG device in diagnosing the ischemic and structural disorders of the heart are reliable. The device, however, should not be relied upon when assessing conduction disorders and dysrhythmias. We, therefore, recommend that the users of digital ECG devices recheck the digital interpretations in those cases

Lipid profile comparison between opium addicts and non-addicts

This study was done to test the notion that opium can reduce serum lipids and decrease the risk of ischemic heart disease [IHD] in opium addicts; we made a comparison between the lipid profiles of opium addicts and non-addicts. In this study, we compared 100 male opium addicts [according to the ICD-10 criteria] who had referred to addiction treatment centers with 75 healthy male non-addicts. The subjects filled out our research questionnaire and had their fasting serum lipid profile [total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, and triglyceride] evaluated. Among those with a body mass index [BMI] between 18 and 25, the total cholesterol level in the opium addicts was less than that in the control group; there was, however, no difference in terms of LDL, HDL, and TG between the case and control groups. There was a significant difference in BMI between the two groups, which requires further studies to investigate the reason. Opium does not seem to have any impact on triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein. Despite the lower total cholesterol levels in opium addicts [as a known side effect of opium on different body systems], it is not advisable that opium and its extracts be recommended to decrease the risk of IHD

national survey of cardiac pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators

Permanent pacemakers provide effective relief of symptoms and are life-saving in patients with symptomatic heart block. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators [ICD] are also increasingly recognized as life-saving tools in various groups of patients with malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias. As part of the "world survey on pacemaker and ICD implantations ", A survey of all device implantations in Iran during the year 2001 was performed. Data was collected and cross-checked through three sources i.e. direct contact with implanting physicians, pacemaker companies and the governmental pacemaker distributing body. During the year studied, 1635 patients received permanent pacemakers. 88% were new implants at an estimated rate of 24 per million population. The mean age of patients was 65 years and 56.2% were male. 40 cardiologists and 19 surgeons implanted the pacemakers at 27 centers throughout the country. Complete heart block was consistently the most common indication at all centers [mean 56.1%], sick sinus syndrome being the next most common one [mean 20.8%]. 69% of the pacemakers were single chamber pacemakers. Transvenous insertion of bipolar steroid-eluting passive fixation leads was the predominant practice at most centers. A total of 60 ICDs were implanted at 7 centers by 9 cardiologists. 45% of ICD implants were dual chamber devices. The survey is the only one available right now and provides useful information about the prevailing pacemaker and defibrillator implantation practice in Iran. Future surveys would be facilitated if a standardized implant registry such as that used in Europe were established in this country