ABSTRACT
Background and Purpose: Evaluation of puberty stages is important to assess adolescent health. This study has been done with the aim of determination of the average age of onset of puberty and its relationship with Body Mass Index [BMI] in male students of Sabzevar city in the North East of Iran in 1390.
Methods and Materials: This cross - sectional study was conducted on 252 male students of secondary schools and high schools of Sabzevar, Iran, with the age of 11-18 years who were selected by probability and multistage sampling. Data were collected through a Tanner standardized questionnaire; afterwards, measuring of height and weight and BMI calculation were performed. Data were analyzed in SPSS 15 using chi-square test, t-test, ANOVA and Bonfronie post hoc test, analysis of covariance, Spearman correlation coefficient and Kappa agreement coefficient; significance level was considered as 0.05.
Results: To conduct this study, we selected a group of researchers who were trained for the initiation of project for assessing puberty in male schools in order to increase the accuracy of determining the Tanner stages. Students were examined for their height and weight, size of penis and testicles, and the manner of pubic and axillary hair growth as well as also voice changes. Mean final growth stage of testicles and scrotum [G5 stage], pubic hair [P5 stage], were measured to be 16.40 +/- 1.65 and 16.79 +/- 1.19 years respectively, and their mean BMI at P2 and G2 were 20.96 +/- 4.1 and 19.49 +/- 3.66 kg /m2 respectively.
Conclusion: Regarding to the declining age of puberty and its relationship with BMI, health systems should focus on training programs and encouraging teenagers to begin changing their lifestyle. Age of puberty onset in male students is similar to many other countries but determining the precise status of puberty in Iranian children requires further studies in different provinces, rural and urban areas as well as longitudinal studies.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: People can direct their lives and activities into deeper, richer and more meaningful way using spiritual intelligence. Utilization of spiritual patterns in everyday life leads to an enhanced compatibility and evolution of well-being. The purpose of this study is to determine if spiritual intelligence can predict happiness.
Methodology: This cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among students of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences in the year 1391. 129 individuals were selected via Stratified sampling method. Individuals were assessed by spiritual intelligence questionnaire and Oxford Happiness Inventory [OHI] whereas statistical data was analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient, t-student test and linear multiple regression [stepwise], by SPSS 20 software. The p-value was considered 0.05.
Results: Correlation coefficient between spiritual intelligence and happiness was r=0.505 [p-value<0.001], which was statistically significant. In predicting happiness by spiritual intelligence and adjusting other variables effect such as gender, age, habitat, university grade point average by multiple regression test [stepwise], the results determine that spiritual intelligence and gender can significantly predict happiness score. And also the two main components of spiritual intelligence that were able to predict happiness were critical existential thinking and personal meaning production.
Conclusion: The conclusion of the study is that spiritual intelligence and gender are prolific in predicting happiness. And since spiritual intelligence is a set of capabilities, promoting these skills can help to enhance happiness.
ABSTRACT
There are conflicting data on the effects of fasting in Ramadan in Muslim countries on Lipid profile. We aimed to evaluate the effect of fasting on lipid profiles and some ratios which are strong for predicting cardiovascular disease. This prospective observational study was done in Iran in 2012. Forty three persons were enrolled into the study. Their anthropometric measurement was done. Fasting plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL], total cholesterol [TC], and triglyceride [TG] were measured at baseline and after one month fasting during Ramadan by standard methods. Paired t test were used to compare lipid profiles before and after the intervention. High density lipoprotein cholesterol was 33.10 +/- 6.53 mg/dL at baseline and increased to 42.49 +/- 8.44mg/dL [P < 0.001]. Fasting in Ramadan decreased serum LDL/HDL and TG/HDL ratios significantly [P < 0.001]. Triglyceride levels were unaffected. Low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels increased [P=0.008]. Changes did not differ significantly between men and women. Fasting in Ramadan is effective to ameliorate High density lipoprotein, and LDL/HDL and TG/HDL ratios. Omitting one meal may be considered to control High density lipoprotein level. TG = Triglyceride, LDL = Low density Lipoprotein, HDL = High Density Lipoprotein, TC = Total Cholesterol
ABSTRACT
This study aims at making a comparison between Ocular Biometry, Keratometry Reading and Intra Ocular Pressure in age-related cataract patients with and without Pseudo Exfoliation Syndrome. A clinical-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 118 patients in 2008, with and without pseudoexfoliation syndrome who were candidates for age-related cataract surgery. Ocular Biometry, the related components including Anterior Chamber Depth, Lens Thickness, Vitreous Chamber Depth and Axial Length were measured using an A-scan ultrasound device. Corneal Power and Intra Ocular Pressure were also measured using keratometer and applanation tonometry, respectively. Of the 118 patient with mean age 68.97 +/- 11.02 years old, 49% were men. Mean age was 71.08 +/- 11.19 and 66. 91 +/- 10.54 years for male and female respectively. 36.4% of total patients had PXS and among them 21.2% of male and 15.3% of the females had Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome. In Ocular Biometry components, the mean of Anterior Chamber Depth was shallower in the patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome than those without it [P=0.049]. Also mean Intra Ocular Lens power was greater in patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome than those without it [p=0.046]. It seems that patients with age related-cataract along with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome need larger Intra Ocular Lens power and have shallower Anterior Chamber Depth
ABSTRACT
The anti inflammatory effects of glucose-insulin-potassium [GIK] in the management of patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] are controversial. We aimed to evaluate anti-inflammatory effect of GIK in STEMI patients treated with streptokinase which is not obvious up to now. This randomized clinical trial enrolled 72 patients who had STEMI that were treated within 12 hours from symptom onset with a high dose of GIK [25% glucose, 50 IU of soluble insulin per liter, and 80 m mol of potassium chloride per liter at 1 ml/kg/hour] [GIK group] or normal saline [control group] as adjunct to thrombolytic therapy. We analyzed Plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [HS CRP] at baseline and sequentially for 48 hours. Baseline HS CRP were significantly increased [2- to 3-fold] at 24 and 48 hours in each group [P<0.01]. There was no difference in plasma concentrations of HS CRP between GIK and control patients [P = 0.24]. Mean glucose level over 6 hours was higher in GIK group than control group [P=0.006]. GIK therapy offers no anti-inflammatory effect in patients with STEMI treated with streptokinase