Nutritional status of children hospitalized in Tabriz Paediatric Hospital, Islamic Republic of Iran, 2008

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of children consecutively admitted as inpatients to Tabriz Paediatric Hospital in the north-west of the Islamic Republic of Iran between June and August 2008. A total of 140 children aged 2-12 years were included. Patients' weight, height and triceps skinfold thickness [TSFT] were measured, and nutritional status was evaluated. Evaluation of weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height and TSFT showed that 48.6%, 30.7%, 32.2% and 14.3% of the patients, respectively, were malnourished. Malnutrition among hospitalized children is worthy of attention, and effective strategies for systematic screening and treatment of malnutrition need to be developed and implemented

[Assessing of health-related quality of life and stress levels in patients with ulcerative colitis, and its relation with clinical and demographic factors]

Ulcerative Colitis [UC] is a chronic inflammation of the colon. Patients with UC face numerous physical, psychological, and social problems that are associated with health related quality of life. The aim of this study is to determine the mental stress level and quality of life among UC patients in comparison with a healthy control group, and their relation with clinical and demographic factors. This study was a case control, cross-sectional study of 106 patients [53 with UC and 53 healthy people as controls]. Patients were selected from the Tabriz Medical Science University Clinic in 2010. Clinical and demographic features data were collected. The general health questionnaire [SF36] was used fur the assessment of health related quality of life [HRQOL] and mental stress was measured by the Cohen stress scale. Statistical analyses showed that the quality of life in UC patients was lower than healthy individuals [p=0.006]. There was a direct positive relationship between quality of life and stress levels. Stress levels among women were higher than men in the case group. Disease severity, period of disease, and level of stress were the most important factors that determined the quality of life among patients with UC [p <0.05]. Perceived HRQOL is impaired in UC patients compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Psychological distress and disease severity are powerful predictors of HRQOL in UC patients

Nutritional and biochemical status of copper, zinc, Zn/Cu ratio, iron and iron stores, in hyperlipidemic and healthy men

There are evidences suggesting associations between serum Cu, Zn/Cu, Fe and ferritin and hyperlipidemia. Considering the increasing prevalence of hyperlipidemia, the objective of this study was to determine and compare serum Zn, Zn/Cu, Fe and ferritin status in normo- and hyperlipidemic men. This cross-sectional study investigated 96 adult men divided into three groups [32 persons in each group] according to their lipid profiles [hypercholestrolemic, hypercholestrolemic + hypertriglyceridemic, normolipidemic]. For all subjects, 10cc samples of fasting venous blood samples were obtained. Serum lipids and iron were measured using the enzymatic method. Serum levels of copper and zinc were measured by atomic absorption spec, and ferritin by Elisa. Dietary intakes were estimated using a 24-hr recall and 2 days dietary records. Dietary data were analyzed using the food processor II software. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Iron intake was considerably higher in the hypercholestrolemic + hypertriglyceridemic group, compared to normolipidemic subjects [28.9 +/- 1.6 mg vs 23.2 +/- 1.8 mg, p < 0.05]. Iron serum levels in the hypercholesterolemic [99.3 +/- 2.9 micro g/dL] and hypercholestrolemic + hypertriglyceridemic [122 +/- 5.8 micro g/dL] groups were significantly higher than healthy males [85 +/- 9.3 micro g/dL] [p < 0.05]. There were no differences between the other variables among study groups. Considering the changes of iron status in the hyperlipidemic group in this study, it is recommended that serum and dietary status of iron shoud be evaluated in these individuals

[Microbiological and chemical quality of water in food industries with low content of water]

In the production of some high-consumed food products like cake, biscuit, chocolate and spaghetti water is used in the preparing of primary material and in the kneading processes. At the present study microbiological and chemical quality of consumed water in food industries of East Azerbaijan Province were studied. Eleven factories with different products were selected. Water samples were collected and analyzed regarding the microbiological contamination and chemical parameters, and heavy metals. In addition, condition of water quality in selected industry was surveyed during the summer. According to the results, monitoring of water quality in the studied industries is not suitable. The chemical characteristics of consumed water in those industries had major differences. Ni, Cr, Zn, Fe and Mn were present in all analyzed water but in lower concentration than national Maximum Contaminant Level [MCL]. Pb was measured in higher concentration than MCL in spaghetti factory no. 2 and close to MCL in wiener and frankfurter and sugar industries. Cd was close to MCL in spaghetti factory no. 2 and wiener and frankfurter industries. It was concluded that for the safety and health of food products the food industries should use the public water supply system as water source at least in food processing units or in the units of preparing of primary materials. Also for the preventing of chemical pollution of food products it is necessary, pay more attention to the subject of water quality control according to the special water standard of food industries, and using less volume of water in some food industry isn.t acceptable reason for neglecting of water quality monitoring and assessing. In addition it is required to analyze heavy metals in the final products of those industries

[Serum magnesium concentration and its relationship with body composition in obese and non obese reproductive age women]

Obesity is a main public health problem worldwide and obese individuals are at high risk for developing micronutrient deficiencies. One of these micronutrients is magnesium, which is a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes in the body. The aim of this study was to investigate serum magnesium concentration and its relationship with body composition in obese and non obese women. Eighty-two reproductive age women [42 obese women and 40 non obese women] participated in this study. Body composition was analyzed by HUMAN -IMPLUS. Serum calcium, magnesium and phosphorous levels were measured colorimetricaly and serum alkaline phosphatase was measured by enzymatic method. Basal concentration of serum magnesium in obese women was significantly lower than in non obese women [P<0.05]. There was a significant negative relationship between serum magnesium and BMI, kilograms of body fat, body fat percent and waist circumference and a significant positive relationship between serum magnesium and percent of fat free mass; however, this was not shown for obese and non obese women separately. Prevalence of magnesium deficiency was not significantly different between two groups. Obese women have lower serum magnesium than non obese women. Hence these individuals need to improve their dietary magnesium intake

Iron and zinc nutritional and biochemical status and their relationship among child bearing women in Marand

Iron and zinc are essential micronutrients for human health. Deficiencies in these 2 nutrients remain a global problem, especially among women and children in developing countries. Many studies indicate the low zinc intakes among premenopausal women, and avoidance of meat intake is characterized as one of the main causes. However, it seems dietary zinc reduces iron biochemical indices including ferritin, Hct, Hb, MCV, Transferrin Saturation. This study is an analytical cross - sectional survey, and the sample concluded 170 premenopausal women, and was a subgroup of the population that was studied in [Evaluation of intervention methods to preventing of Iron deficiency Anemia Research]. The data on demographic and food consumption were gathered by related questionnaire. Serum zinc was measured by atomic absorption, and other iron related biochemical parameters were measured by their specific related kits. Data was analyzed by food processor 2 and SPSS windows 10. Mean of dietary intake of iron and zinc was 24.51 and 3.45 mg/day, respectively. Mean of dietary intake of iron and zinc was 24.51 and 3.45 mg/day, respectively. Mean of daily calori intake was 1708.55 Kcal among subjects. Serum zinc was significantly correlated with hematocrit and hemoglobin [P was 0.027 and 0.02 respectively]. Analysis of regression between serum zinc and dietary factors including calori, protein, iron, fiber, zinc, vitamin C also showed the significant correlation between serum zinc and dietary vitamin C [r= 0.30, p= 0.026]. Among the iron biochemical indices, hematocrit and hemoglobin were significantly correlated with dietary zinc [p was 0.03 and 0.02, respectively]. Mean of serum zinc was significantly different between anemic, and non anemic groups, but normal, anemic and iron deficient anemic groups did not show significantly difference about serum zinc. Our results indicated that mean of dietary zinc is lower than RDA among the women, and this is confirmed by the NHANESII results. At the other hand, the significant relationship between zinc and Hb, Hct, vitamin C would explain the role of vitamin C in enhancing their bioavailability

Importance of water quality control in food safety, case study: drinking, dairy and caning industries of east Azerbaijan

In order to achieve to food safety and promoting health protection, water used in food and drinking industries should be in compliance with quality requirements. Presence of any chemical and microbial contamination in water has potential of transmission to final food products. So quality control of water in order to compliance with legislative standards is important. At present study to address the existing condition and to present the suitable and applicable quality control method, the main drinking, dairy and caning industries in the East Azerbaijan province were investigated as a representative sample of all kind of mentioned industries. Considering the frequency of industries, number of labors and production capacity, 9 industrial units with variety of products such as fruit juice, dairy products, lemonade, beverage, tomato derivatives, jams, was selected. To collection of required information, a questionnaire was designed and filed out by direct surveillance and interview. After analyzing and interpretation of data, the results showed that there are many critical points without having any quality control plan which may led to water pollution and it's transforming to the products matrix among these industries. The majority of factories did not have acceptable program for sampling of consumed water and chemical and microbial analyzing and only water of boilers was controlled for hardness and alkalinity levels. Unfortunately occurrence of heavy metals and pesticides in water was not being investigated. Most of authorities had not adequate awareness and specialty about water pollution and water quality control. At 45% of studied industries, there was not acceptable control program for water quality. Application of HACCP program as an effective tool for food safety was not practically implicated. Control of chemical and microbiological quality of water at studied industries was not satisf5ting. For protection of consumers health and achieving food safety, the necessity of application of water quality plan and control system with all educated personnel and facilities is extremely undeniable

[Study of correlation between serum leptin levels and body composition in healthy obese and non-obese women]

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is a hormone secreted by adipocytes, and results in a decrease in food intake an increase in energy expenditure via hypothalamic interactions. In animal models, obesity can be caused by leptin deficiency or dysfunction of hypothalamic leptin receptor. The aim of this study was to examin the relation between serum leptin levels and body composition. In this study, we measured serum concentration of leptin in 51 normal weight subjects [BMI < 25 kg/m[2]] and 50 obese subjects [BMI >/= 25] by ELISA. BMI was defined as the weight in kilogram divided by the square of height in meters and body composition was determined by bioimpedance analyzer. The mean +/- SE] serum leptin concentrations were 17.5 +/- 0.81 ng per milliliter in obese subjects and 4.9 +/- 0.55 ng per milliliter in the normal weight women [p< 0.0005]. There were a strong positive correlation between serum leptin concentration and body fat mass [r= 0.53] and BMI [r = 0.41] in obese women and lean body mass was inversely related to leptin concentration in normal weight subjects [r = - 0.28]. Significant relation between leptin and WHR neither in obese nor in normal weight group was not observed. We conclude that circulating leptin raised continuously with increasing adiposity and body fat mass is the main predictor of serum leptin concentration