[Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody in inflammatory bowel disease in golestan province, Northern Iran [2005-08]]

Celiac is a hereditary disease presented with chronic inflammation of small intestine. Several studies supposed a relationship between Celiac disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IBD]. Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody is one of the best serological markers in Celiac disease. This study was designed to evaluate the association of Celiac and IBD using tissue trans-glutaminase antibody. In this descriptive study 127 confirmed IBD patients who were referred by gastroentrologists 2005-08 enrolled into the study. A questionnaire was completed and tissue trans-glutaminase antibody was evaluated with ELISA method with a Cut-off=12 U/ml. Among 127 referred patients, serum samples of 102 patients were collected. Mean +/- SD of age was 36.17 +/- 15.2 years and 48% were males. Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and other colitis were observed in 76 [74.5%], 7 [6.9%] and 19 [18.6%] of patients, respectively. Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody was positive [19.8 U/L] in one 46-years-old male patient with ulcerative colitis. Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody titer was not significantly different between IBD patients and controls, thus it seems not appropriate to suggest as one of the routine tests in IBD patients

experience of peer education model among medical science university students in Iran

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of peer education among university students for reproductive health promotion based on researchers' experiences. This interventional study was conducted in Qazvin University of Medical Science during 2002 to 2004 through stakeholders' partnership and selection of 24 volunteer students according to their knowledge, interest, communication skills. Capacity building was performed through holding an interactive reproductive health coarse contained marital health, illegal abortion, family planning, STI/AIDS, communication and counseling skills. Trained peer educators have introduced to other student and present education and counseling formally and informally. A post interventional study was conducted after 9 months in order to find its effectiveness. In our experience Stakeholders' partnership in community interventional programs led to the best expected availability of better health through ownership and adopting policies. In present study, the proper determined criteria for selection of peer educators and clear understood expectations of the peer educators' role were very important in health promotional program. Although peer education was acceptable program for university students, more support and supervising for peer groups are needed. The students believed that the power point of peer education and counseling related to same age groups sympathy, confident, well behaved, cheerful, and kind-hearted and peer educators awareness. Universities are appropriate real world for experience a friendly youth program and then disseminate it to other young communities. There seems peer education is effective strategy for reproductive health promotion and reinforce positive behaviors in youth

Diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology: comparison of results in Tabriz Imam Khomeini Hospital and Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

It is more than 60 years that Fine Needle Aspiration [FNA] has been used for diagnosing palpable breast masses and has been known as an effective method for several years in Europe. In this study, we compared the diagnostic accuracy of FNA with open biopsy in Tabriz and Shiraz, Iran. We studied 100 patients with breast lesions in Tabriz Imam Khomeini Hospital from late September 2003 to late July 2004. FNA and open biopsy were done for all patients, FNA results were studied by pathologists in Tabriz imam Khomeini hospital and Shiraz University and pathological and cytological results were compared. According to cytology, 44% of samples were benign, 15% were suspicious, 33% were malignant and 8% were insufficient in Tabriz. These figures were 25%, 10%, 27% and 37%, respectively in Shiraz. Sensitivity of FNA was higher in Tabriz [89.79% vs. 69%] but specificity did not differ significantly in two groups [93.47% vs. 80.95%]. Positive and negative predictive values were 97.77% and 89.36% in Tabriz and 100% and 60.6% in Shiraz, respectively. FNA accuracy was higher in Tabriz than in Shiraz [93.47% vs. 80.95%]. If done by experts, FNA can be a reliable replacement for open biopsy in palpable breast masses. Evaluation of FNA samples during aspiration can decrease insufficient samples. FNA [at least in deprived areas] can be the first line of diagnosis in women with breast masses and is helpful to increase health standards and clinical supervision of patients

[Prevalence of congenital abnormalities in familial and non-familial marriage]

Several studies have indicated that compared to non-familial marriage, familial marriage would increase the incidence of congenital abnormalities. Since the rate of consanguinity marriage is high in our country, this study was performed to determine the prevalence of congenital anomalies between familial and non-familial marriage. For this analytic descriptive study, 928 couples were participated as the population of this investigation. Of them, 358 were familial-marriage couples and 570 were non-familial-marriage couples. We evaluted the variables such as parents age, familial and non-familial marriage rate and rates of congenital abnormalities between both groups. Both the questionnaire and face to face interview technique were applied in this study. Congenital anomalies were identified in 26 [7.26%] children of familial marriage group and 11[1.92%] ones in non-familial marriage group. The average rate of consanguineous marriage in this study was found to be 38.57%. Considering that the rate of congenital anomalies in familial marriage was more than that of non-familial marriage, it seems that it is essential to consult and teach families and young couples about the risks of familial marriage

[ clinical and radiographic study of electrosurgical pulpotomy in primary molar teeth]

Formocresol has been considered as a popular pulpotomy medicament in the primary dentition for the past 60 years. However, concerns have been raised on its potential toxicity and mutagenicity during recent years. Therefore, many alternatives have been recommended over the years for formocresol as pulpotomy agents in primary teeth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success rates of electrosurgery as a pulpotomy technique in pulpotomized primary molar teeth. Forty primary molar teeth were randomly selected and treated using needle shape electrode in an electrosurgical unit as the pulpotomy technique. All teeth were treated in one treatment session. Patients were placed on a recall program and were evaluated clinically and radiographically after 6-12 month follow up period. Any evidences of pain, fistula, swelling, abnormal mobility, furcation radiolucency or pathologic root resorption were considered as criteria for failure of treatment. After 6-12 month observation period, the clinical success rate was found to be 100% while the radiographic success rate was 84.2%. The overall success rate for this type of treatment showed to be 84.2%. Since electrosurgery is a nonpharmacologic, easy to use, rapid and effective technique, it may be recommended as a suitable alternative for formocresol pulpotomy in primary molar teeth

Reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices of Iranian college students

To study reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices of youth in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1111 university students completed a questionnaire with 43 closed questions. The overall mean knowledge score was 54%. Knowledge of males and females, and of married and single students, was similar. Of 664 students answering questions about reproductive health behaviour, 54 [8%] reported having sexual intercourse before marriage; 16% of males and 0.6% of females; 48% of them had used condoms. The majority of students believed that the risk of AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections was moderate but that youth had a low ability to practise healthy behaviour. The majority believed in the benefits of reproductive health knowledge for youth but felt that services were inadequate

[ survey on the level of knowledge and practice of barbers in preventing AIDS in Zabol]

Introduction: AIDS is a special viral infection for which there is no suitable treatment planning. Therefore prevention is the most important priority. Because one way of Transmission is body injury with sharp contaminated instruments, and barbers usually use these instruments, therefore this study has been conducted to determine the level of the knowledge and practice of barbers about methods of .preventing AIDS in zabol

Methods: This study is a conservative analytic investigation. Sample size [n=100] was selected from barbers in zabol. The data were collected by a questionnaire that was completed by barbers. The results showed that 8% of barbers have low knowledge, 53% have average knowledge and 39% have high knowledge, 29% of barbers have low practice, 50% average and 21% have suitable practice. According to the results of this study, barbers' knowledge and practice were poor; therefore, a different educational method is necessary to promote their knowledge and practice

Results: The findings showed that among the barbers 8% had low knowledge, 53% average and 39% appropriate knowledge concerning AIDS prevention. 29% had low practice, 50% average and 21% appropriate practice

Discussion: Regarding the results of the study, since barbers have low knowledge and practice, different educational methods should be handled to promote their knowledge and practice