ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Beta thalassemia is one of the most common single gene disorders in the world which occurs due to a defect in the beta globin chain synthesis
In general, the majority of the patients with thalassemia, are suffering from decreased bone density
Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and disorder of osteogenesis resulting in reduced bone strength Considering the serious consequences of osteoporosis, this study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of osteoporosis in the patients with beta thalassemia major
Materials and Methods: This study included 46 beta thalassemia patients above 5 years of age who had been admitted to the oncology ward of Besat Hospital in Sanandaj. Chemical biomarkers were measured and the results of densitometry of the lumbar spine and femoral head were investigated for the presence of osteoporosis, osteopenia and normal findings. Using SPSS 20 software, we used one-way analysis of variance to assess the association between chemical biomarkers
Results: The mean [SD] age was 19.8 [7.7] years, 24 patients [52.2%] were women and 32 [69.6%] were above 15 years of age. In this study, the most frequent findings of densitometry were osteoporosis [34.8%] and normal lumbar spine [34.8%]
Comparison between the chemical biomarkers and foldings of the densitometry of the femoral head revealed different levels of ferritin in these patients [P = 0.011]. This difference was observed in the patients who had osteoporosis and normal densitometry results [P = 0.009]
Conclusion: The results of this study showed no significant statistical relationship between chemical biomarkers and the densitometry results. Therefore, use of bisphosphonate is recommended for prevention of bone damage
ABSTRACT
Subclinical endogenous hyperthyroidism is a fairly common disorder particularly in iodine deficient regions. There is controversy about adverse effects of this disorder on bone density in pre-menopausal women. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral anti-thyroid therapy on bone density in pre-menopausal women with subclinical endogenous hyperthyroidism. This randomized clinical trial included 30 premenopausal women [age range between 19 and 50 years] who had subclinical endogenous hyperthyroidism for at least 6 months. Thyroid function tests were performed in Kurdistan nuclear medicine center. The participants were randomly divided into two equal groups. Fifteen patients remained euthyroid_for 1 year after receiving methimazole. Fifteen patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism were considered as control group and received no treatment for 1 year. Bone mineral density of the femoral neck and L2-L4 vertebrae were measured by DXA method at the beginning and 1 year after the study in both groups. The data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by X2 and t-tests. The risk factors for osteoporosis were not significantly different in both groups. Mean values for femoral neck and lumbar vertebral bone mineral density had decreased by 1.3% and 0.96% respectively in the treated group. But no statistically significant differences were detected before and after treatment [P value = 0.209 for femoral neck, P value = 0.432 for lumbar vertebrae]. In the control group, mean values of the femoral neck bone and lumbar vertebral mineral density had also decreased by 2.1% and 1.0%, respectively, which did not show any significant difference after one year [P value = 0.069 for femoral neck, P value = 0.363 for lumbar vertebrae]. Our findings showed that subclinical endogenous hyperthyroidism in premenopausal women in the short term had no adverse effect on bone density and treatment of this disorder with methimazole had no beneficial effect on bone mineral density in these patients
ABSTRACT
The emergence of resistance among bacteria makes it necessary to continuously quest for new antimicrobial agents. The present study was performed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of essential oils from Artemisia and Cumin plants. This was an experimental study carried out at the School of Medicine of Tarbiat Modares University [Tehran, Iran] in 2005. Essential oils of Cuminum cyminum, Bunium persicum seeds and aerial parts of Artemisia turcomanica were prepared by hydrodistillation method. Essential oils of A. khorassanica, A. ciniformis, and A. kopetdaghensis were previously obtained and described. The activities of essential oils were evaluated against a clinical isolate of Vibrio cholerae [isolated during the recent outbreak of cholera in Iran], Escherichia coli ATCC25922, a clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 using disc diffusion assay and broth microdilution method for determination of MIC. The components of oils were identified by Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Essential oils showed an acceptable level of antibacterial activities. A. khorassanica and A. turcomanica oils demonstrated the highest activity [inhibition zone: 60 mm] followed by A. ciniformis, A. kopetdaghensis, C. cyminum, and B. persicum, respectively. The major constituent in A. turcomanica oil was camphor and that of Cuminum cyminum and Bunium persicum oils was cuminaldehyde. The results of the present study suggested the effects of essential oils against the tested bacteria in vitro, may contribute to the in vivo efficacy of these oils
Subject(s)
Artemisia/chemistry , Cuminum/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Vibrio/drug effectsABSTRACT
Iron deficiency is the most common etiological factor of the anemia and also the most common nutritional deficiency in children. The iron deficiency anemia is prevalent in 9-24 months babies due to accelerated growth rate and lack of supplemental iron in their diet. This anomaly leads to growth, psychological, immunological and educational problems in children. Diagnosis of the anemia is quite accidental in children before the school age. This study evaluates the iron deficiency anemia in children aged 4-6 years old [y/o]. A cross-sectional study on 560 childrens [aged 4-6 y/o] was done at kindergardens of Rafsanjan City. The sampling method was achieved in randomized, clustered and classified forms. After an informational session with parents and recieving their written consent, a questionnaire including anemic symptoms and nutritional habits was completed. The blood sample of each child was obtained to evaluate Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, serum Iron and T1BC. All data were then analyzed with SPSS Software. Of the total children samples 48.2% of were male and 51.8% of them were female. The prevalence of anemia in investigated population was 11.1% which was not related to the age and sex of the child. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 5.18%, which was not also related to the age and sex of the child. There were higher incidence of anemia among children who didn't have an appropriate nutritional education for children. Iron deficiency anemia in 4-6 y/o children of kindergardens of Rafsanjan City is less than other developed regions. Good preventive measures for anemia along with parental education for appropriate diet and taking iron supplements are strongly recommended
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease. This study deals with prevalence of osteoporosis, osteopenia and their related factors in post-menopausal women who had referred to Kurdistan densitometry center in Sanandaj. This descriptive-analytic study included 305 post-menopausal women without previous history of osteoporosis who had referred for densitometry to Kurdistan densitometry center from 1382 to 1383. Sampling method was census. Patients with secondary osteoporosis were excluded. Data were extracted from a questionnaires filled out by the subjects. Bone mineral densities of femoral neck and second to fourth lumbar vertebrae were measured by DXA method. The results were expressed on the basis of T-score. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were defined as T<-2.5 and -2.5