survey on Helicobacter pyloriseropositivity status in Iranian children with atopic dermatitis

To evaluate the presence of Sinti-Helicobacter pylori antibody in the sera of children with and without atopic dermatitis [AD] in Kerman province, Iran. In the current study the cases consisted of 128 patients with AD, aged from 6 month to 16 years. One hundred and twenty eight healthy children matched for sex and age were chosen as control subjects. The enrolled patients were selected consequentially from the cases referred to the dermatology and pediatric clinics of Afzalipour hospital, an academic medical referral center in the capital of Kerman province. The diagnosis of AD was made based on the UK working party's diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis. The control subjects were chosen randomly among children who were referred to the center for periodic vaccination program and before receiving the vaccines. The subjects in control group who had a personal or family history of allergies [including asthma, atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis] were excluded as well. A sample consisting of 3 milliliters of blood was obtained from each subject in the study [including the cases and the controls] for H. pylori serology. In children under 1 year of age, the amount of collected blood samples we reduced to the minimum in the acceptable range. The status of infection with Helicobacter pylori was determined in all subjects quantitatively by measurement of specific IgG antibody via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] method [Trinity Biotech Monbind Captia[tm], USA]. The mean age of the cases with AD and the controls were 5.74 +/- 4.05 and 6.05 +/- 3.36 years, respectively. Of all the children in both cases and controls 45.5% and 55.8% were females, respectively and the remaining were males. Anti-H. pylori IgG antibody was positive in the cases with AD and the control group 25.2% and 24%, respectively that was not statistically significant. The results of this study showed no association between H. pylori infection and AD

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in psoriasis patients

To assess the prevalence of cardiovascular disease [CVD] risk factors in patients with psoriasis. Patients and methods The study group included seventy-three patients with psoriasis aged 20-50 years and an equally sized sex and age matched control group. CVD risk factors including diabetes mellitus [DM], hypertension [HTN], dyslipidemia, obesity and smoking history were assessed. Results Most of the CVD risk factors were more prevalent in psoriasis patients versus controls. The risk factors with a positive correlation included: DM [OR: 4.96, CI: 1.165-14.89], HTN [OR:3.16, CI:1.01-9.81], hypertriglyceridemia [OR:3.91, CI: 1.51-10.09], obesity [OR: 2.74, CI: 1.34-5.60] and increased level of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-C] [OR:1.77, CI:1.08-1.73]. No significant differences were found between two groups for high density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C] and cigarette smoking. Conclusion CVD risk factors were more common in this young and middle aged psoriasis patients group, so early screening test for CVD risk factors is recommended in this group of patients

Serum leptin level in the first trimester in ectopic versus normal pregnancies

To determine whether maternal serum leptin level is different or not in ectopic and normal pregnancy. In this cross sectional study, we included 47 women with normal pregnancy [group A], and 47 women with ectopic pregnancy [group B] attending the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Afzalipour Medical Centre, Kerman, Iran from January 2009 to February 2010. Previous history of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, body mass index equal to or more than 25 and equal or less than 19 kg/m2, using drugs during pregnancy except for multivitamin and folic acid, unstable conditions requiring emergency laparatomy, and cigarette smoking were considered as exclusion criteria. The maximum gestational age in both groups was 8 weeks. Maternal serum leptin level was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in maternal age, gestational age, and body mass index. Women in group B [median [range]: 30.93 [14.8-84.2]] showed significantly higher serum leptin level in comparison with group A [median [range]: 32.74 [8.4-8.61]]. Serum leptin level in the first trimester of pregnancy may be a useful marker in the differential diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

Comparing intramuscular progesterone, vaginal progesterone and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogestrone caproate in IVF and ICSI cycle

Supplementation of luteal phase with progesterone is prescribed for women undergoing routine IVF treatment. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of three types of progesterone on biochemical, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates and abortion and live birth rates. A prospective randomized study was performed at Royan Institute between March 2008 and March 2009 in women under 40 years old, who use GnRH analog down-regulation. One hundred eighty six patients in three groups were received progesterone in oil [100 mg, IM daily], intravaginal progesterone [400 mg, twice daily] and 17-alpha hydroxyprogestrone caproate [375mg, every three days], respectively. Final statistical analysis after withdrawal of some patients was performed in 50, 50 and 53 patients in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively. No differences between the groups were found in baseline characteristics. No statistical significance different was discovered for biochemical, clinical and ongoing pregnancies. Although the abortion rate was statistically higher in group 1 [p=0.025] the live birth rate was not statistically significant between the three groups. The effects of three types of progesterone were similar on pregnancies rate. We suggest the use of intravaginal progesterone during the luteal phase in patients undergoing an IVF-ET program because of the low numbers of abortions, and high ongoing pregnancy rates

Effect of Ramadan fasting on amniotic fluid volume.

This cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the influence of Ramadan fasting on amniotic fluid volume. For this purpose 2 groups of fasting [n=28] and non-fasting [n=25] pregnant women were investigated for amniotic fluid index [AFI] and deepest vertical pocket of amniotic fluid in November [Ramadan month] of 2001-2002 in Kerman Prenatal Clinics in Kerman, Iran. Mean of gestational age based on the last menstrual period and ultrasound reports were 29.6 +/- 5.8 week and 29.5 +/- 4.2 week in fasting and non-fasting groups. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in age, gestational age, gravidity, parity and systolic/diastolic blood pressures. The mean deepest vertical pocket in fasting and non-fasting groups were 65.9 +/- 12.9 mm and 62.7 +/- 6.5 mm and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in this regard. Mean AFI in fasting group [189.9 +/- 35.9 mm] and in non-fasting group [166.8 +/- 25.3 mm] showed a significant difference [p value aof less than 0.05]. Based on the results of the present study fasting in Ramadan has no significant effect on the decrease of AFI, deepest vertical pocket and amniotic fluid volume