[Incidence of neural tube defects and its risk factors in Yasuj, Iran [2000-10]]

The incidence of neural tube defects [NTDs] is varied according to race, geographical situation and other predisposing factors. This study was carried out to determine the incidence rate of NTDs and its risk factors in Yasuj, Iran. This case - control study was done on live newborns in Imam Sajad hospital, Yasuj, Iran during 2000-10. 78 neonates with NTDs out of 36755 live newborns were considered as cases. The control group was also consisting of the same number of healthy neonates who born at the same period and in the same hospital. Data were collected by a check-list and analyzed using SPSS-19, Chi-Square, Logistic regression and odd's ratio. The incidence rate of NTDs was 2.12 per 1000 live births. Anencephaly and Spina Bifida was detected in 59 [75.6%] and 19 [24.3%] of affected newborns, respectively. The ratio of females to males was 1.5 times. 53.85% of mothers with affected newborns were grouped in 27-36 years age range. The mean number of pregnancies and abortion between two groups of mothers had no statistical significant differences. There is no significant relation between the mothers occupation and the incidence of NTDs. 10 [12.8%] of mothers from case group and 7 [8.97%] of mothers from control group have used tobacco. 52 [66.7%] of mothers of case group and 30 [38.5%] of controls did not consumed folic acid. The relation between non-user folic acid during pregnancy with NTDs was significant [95% CI: 1.4-6.15, OR=2.93, P<0.001]. This study showed relatively high incidence of NTDs in Yasuj. Non-consuming folic acid increased the risk of NTD by 2.93 times

effects of capparis spinosa hydroalcoholic extract on blood glucose and lipids serum in diabetic and normal male rats

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorders in the world which affects glucose metabolism in the body. Diabetes mellitus is due to lack of insulin secretion and/or failure in insulin action. Researches conducted in the last few decades on plants have reported anti-diabetic properties for some herbs and their traditional use for diabetes treatment. Capparis spinosa is one of these herbs which are used as an anti-diabetic treatment in tribal medicine. The objective of the present study was to examine the anti-diabetic effects of Capparis spinosa on blood glucose and serum lipids in streptozotocin induced diabetes in male rats. In this experimental study conducted at Yasouj University of Medical Sciences in 2010, five groups of animals were selected. Three groups out of five were administered with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to become diabetic. Group I were fed normal diet. Group II of animals received 20 mg/kg/day Capparis spinosa extract. Group III received no treatment [diabetic control] and animals of groups IV and V were treated with capparis spinosa fruit extract 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight respectively for three weeks. Blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and body weight were measured in all animals. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software using one-way ANOVA. Treatment with the 30 mg/kg/body weight of capparis spinosa fruit extract showed a significant decrease in blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL, and a significant increase in HDL level. In addition, administration of 20 mg/kg/body weight of capparis spinosa extract decreased blood glucose and lipid levels in diabetic rats. It can be concluded that the oral administration of capparis spinosa extract at the dose of 30 mg/kg/body weight has glucose and lipids lowering activity in diabetic rats

[Solid wastes management of Yasuj hospitals, Iran 2006]

Unhygienic methods of colleting, storage, transportation and disposal of the hospital wastes results in serious hazards that can endanger the health and environment. These materials are classified as dangerous, and have to be collected and disposed based on special rules. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the quality of management of hospital wastes and to estimate the waste constituents in Yasuj hospitals. Density, constituents, methods of collecting, transportation and disposal of hospital wastes were evaluated in 3 consecutive days of every months of the year 2006. Study showed that the daily production of solid wastes was 5.5 Kg per hospital bed and infected solid wastes were estimated to be 1.5 Kg per hospital bed. The total solid waste production was 1350 Kg per day which included 27.2 percent as infected solid wastes. Solid waste density was 160.7 Kg per cubic meter and its constituents were food wastes [19.753%], rubber [47.02%], paper [12.05%], glass [5.211%], metals [3.41%] and bandages, gases, clothes, etc [12.556%].The findings suggest that the solid waste management of the studied hospitals is not satisfying and more attention must be paid to the critical issues, such as plans for reducing solid wastes, isolating infected solid wastes at the production site and using safe and updated methods of disposal of solid wastes

[Effects of dietary calcium on body weight, carcass fat content and adipocyte size in male rats]

Calcium is a micronutrient and now receiving much attention for its doubtful effects on weight and body fatness. A few mechanisms has been suggested for calcium effects on body fatness and the most emphasized one is the reducing of lipolysis and increasing lipogenesis via reducing parathyroid hormone levels. The present study is designed to evaluate the effects of nondairy dietary calcium on adipogenes is and adipocyte size in male Sprague dawley rats. This experimental study was done from November to September of 2005 at Tehran school of health; nutritiondepartment.48 male Spragu-Dawley rats from Damgostar Company were used in three randomly selected groups. The rats were fed low [0.2% W/W], usual [0.5% W/W] and high [1.2% W/W] dietary calcium based on AIN-93M purified diet. Rats were housed in 12 hours light-dark cycle, 22-25°C room temperature with free access to their respective diets. At the end of the experiment, rats were decapitated and carcass fat content, carcass ash content and mean adipocyte size in testis, peritoneal and subcutaneous fat pads were compared in three groups. The SPSS 11.5 was used as statistical software, running analysis of variance for comparing the effects. weight gain, carcass fat content and adipocyte size, in groups were not significantly different, while serum parathyroid hormone concentrations in high calcium group was significantly lower than low calcium group [p<0.05] and insignificantly lower than usual calcium group [12.36, 23.57 and 42.2 pg/dl respectively]. Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol were also insignificantly lower in high calcium group. Our findings suggested that physiological concentration of dietary calcium is not effective on weight gain, body fatness and adipocyte size. Relatively equal fat content; beside significant difference in serum parathyroid hormone levels is against the parathyroid theory of calcium effects on body fatness. Finally we do not suggest any effect for calcium on body fatness and adipocyte size

[ knowledge level and attitude of pre-university students of Yasuj city towards AIDS in 2003]

AIDS is not only a health problem but also a socio-cultural intricacy followed by economical consequences. Since a definite treatment has not been found so far and considering the importance of adolescence of status of school in health education, this research has been carried out with the aim to determine the knowledge level and attitude of pre- university students towards Aids. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study which was performed on 400 pre university students at the high-schools of the Yasuj city in 1382. The subjects were selected through regular and random sampling. The data collections device was a questionnaire including demographic information and questions about knowledge and attitude toward AIDS. The data were then analyzed by SPSS software and descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Findings showed that most of the cases [98.2%] have heard about the disease. The source of getting information for most of students [63%] was mass media such as radio, TV, Newspapers and magazine. The knowledge level of most of the cases [77.5%] were good and their attitude were desirable [77%]. The study also showed a significant difference between the knowledge level of samples with sex, educational field, parent's occupation and mother's education and their attitude with their sex and mother's occupation and education [p<0.05]. There was also a significant difference between knowledge level and attitude of sample with their sex and mother's occupation and educatine. Findings revealed that most of the subjects had got their information from the mass media and the level of knowledge of most of them was good and their attitude was desirable. Thus extensive use of health education programs through mass media is recommended

Anthropometric survey on preschool children in yasuj 1380

Growth and development are basic subjects in pediatric health.Deviation in growth patterns are nonspecific but important indicators of serious medical disorders. Anthropometric survey in any region and for any child group is essential for the evaluation of growth pattern and factors that affect it. In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, 1822 children aged 64-82 months in Yasuj, Iran were evaluated for body weight, height, sex, birth grade, parents' education and job and number of sibling. Analysis of data showed wasting in 6.5% [118 children], stunting in 6% [106 children] and underweight in 10.3% [187 children]. Boys had lower anthropometric measures than girls when compared with NCHS' standard particularly for weight for age [p= 0.0001] and height for age [p=0.0003]. Results also showed that a few factors were more important for stunting including fathers education [p=0.0001], mothers education [p=0.0001], birth grade [p=0,02] and numbers of sibling [p=0.0009]. Also factors which affected underweight were fathers education [p=0.005], mothers education [p=0.013] and birth grade [p=0.04]. This factors did not have any meaningful effect on wasting. In general, weight for age, height for age and weight for height in 64-82 month children in Yasuj are below 50% of NCHS standards. Further study is needed to detect other factors that might deteriorate child growth pattern. Accordingly, those factors need to be changed actively