[Effect of chromium supplementation on lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus]

Although current data shows that chromium supplementation in type 2 Diabetic patients can improve control blood sugar and lipids there are controversial results about its relevance to improving blood sugar and lipids in diabetes. This study investigates the effect of chromium picolinate supplement on blood sugar and lipids control in patients with type 2 diabetes. This randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled study was carried out at the Diabetes Clinic of the Loghman Hospital in collaboration with Taban Diabetes Clinic. In this clinical study of 60 patients with type 2 Diabetes, participants were randomized into the doubleblind treatment and control groups for 3 months of treatment with 200 g of chromium picolinate or placebo respectively. Blood sugar and lipids profile were assessed at the beginning and end of the study. Based on the result of this study it has been found that 200 micrograms of chromium consumed over three months could decrease of TG levels dramatically, compared to placebos. TG changes were significantly different between the two groups, [P=0.048], without any change in other lipid profiles of the two groups. Findings showed that chromium picolinate treatment for 90 days produced significant improvements in glycemic control compared to placebo, based on significant reductions in both FPG and HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with significant changes between the two groups [P<0.001]. Results of this study recommend that chromium picolinate prescribed to type 2 diabetes patients could decrease TG, HbA1c and FPG levels

Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among health care workers in teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran

Health care workers [HCWs] are vulnerable populations for infection with blood borne pathogens. This study was conducted to determine occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among HCWs in teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran. A self- structures questionnaire was used to study 650 HCWs during 2006 -2007 in some teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran. occupational exposure to blood and body fluids to blood and body fluids of patients was noticed in 53.4%. Recapping was the most common cause of needle stick injuries [26.5%] and 19.9% of HCWs with a history of needle stick or mucosal exposure had sought medical advice from a specialist, 79.4% of these visited a doctor in the first 24 hours after exposure. Twenty percent of people with a history of needle stick or mucosal exposure to human immune deficiency virus positive [HIV+] patients received post-exposure prophylaxis and 46.7% tested themselves for seroconversion. 25.8% of HCWs with a history of needle stick or mucosal exposure with HBsAg+ patients received hepatitis B immunoglobuline [HBIG], all of these had received it in the first 72 hours after exposure. History of vaccination, and reassurance about the effective serum antibody titer was the most frequent reason mentioned in case the individuals did not receive HBIG [56.5%]. There is a need for further research to investigate why many HCWs do not take prophylactic and essential actions after needle stick or mucosal exposure to body fluids of infected patients

Molecular characterization of dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase gene concerning antifulate resistance of Plasmodium vivax

The recently reported resistance to antimalarials contributes to making the control of malaria more difficult. There is a need to evaluate the current antimalaria regiments to prevent this emerging problem. The aim of this study was to determine dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase gene mutation [pvdhfr] regarding antifulate resistance in Plasmodium vivax. From 2007 to 2009, 117 P.vivax infected blood samples collected from two regions of Hormozgan Province, south of Iran were analyzed using PCR, semi-nested-PCR and RFLP methods. Eighty four isolates [71.8%] showed no mutation in pvdhfr gene of P. vivax known as wild type and 33 [28.2%] of the samples revealed nine single [7.7%], twenty two double [18.8%] and two [1.7%] triple mutations. Genetic diversity was observed by molecular methods in pvdhfr gene of p.vivax in Hormozgan Province suggests that the antifolate falciparum malaria drug [fansidar] is proportionally affecting P.vivax dhfr mutation. Therefore, more studies to evaluate antimalarial drugs that should preferably be effective against both P.vivax and P.falciparum are recommended

effect of metronidazole, erythromycin and indomethacin on the process of idiopathic preterm labor

Approximately 39%-61%of cases with idiopathic preterm labor [IPL] fail to respond to toecolytic therapy; to increase this response many different antibiotics have tried but mostly the effect on suppression of IPL has been minimal. This study was conducted to investigate whether addition of antiprostaglandins to the antibiotic regimen could suppress IPL. A double blind randomized clinical trial was performed. Forty-nine women with IPL at 24-34 weeks of pregnancy were selected and divided into two groups of 25 cases and 24 controls by random allocation. Experimental cases received indomethacin with antibiotics while the controls were given similar antibiotics with placebo. Outcome variables were delay in delivery for 24 hours, carrying the pregnancy up to 37 weeks, comparison of birth weight and need for NICU admission. Statistical analysis was done by Chi square, T test and Fisher exact tests. Delay in delivery for 24 hour was 84%, [n=2l], in cases and 79%, [n=19], in controls, [p=0.1]. 32%, [n=8] of cases vs. 20.8% of controls carried the pregnancy up to 37 weeks, [p0.8]. Mean birth weight in cases and controls were 2273.3 +/- 863 vs. 20113 +/- 529gr, [p=0.9]. Need for NICU admission was 4 days in cases vs. 8days in controls. In each group 2 neonates died. In this study, the combination of antiprostaglandins, [indomethacin], and antibiotics, [metronidazole-erythromycin], did not have a significant effect on suppression of IPL

[Correlation between staging of hepatic fibrosis and biochemical markers in patient with liver fibrosis]

Liver fibrosis is an inevitable result of chronic liver diseases which may ultimately lead into liver cirrhosis. Diagnosis and grading of liver fibrosis is of considerable importance in both treatment strategy, treatment response, prognosis and potential risk factors for the disease complications. Although liver biopsy is the best known technique for evaluation of liver fibrosis, researchers have been searching for a more appropriate alternative to be used instead due to its harsh nature along with several side effects. One of the suggested ones is the use of biochemical markers. Our aim in this study, therefore, was the assessment of some of these biochemical markers. In a retrospective trial, 130 patients [94 men [72.3%] and 36 women [27.7%]] of whom had undergone liver biopsy, were studied. Former biopsy samples were reviewed. Gathered data from their medical file and pathology reports were analyzed by SPSS 11.5. It was revealed that there was a positive correlation between age and severity fibrosis. There was no significant relationship between liver fibrosis and gender. Comparing the patients with liver fibrosis and non-fibrotic ones, we found that the AST/platelet index is an appropriate marker for distinction of these patients. To distinguish the patients without liver fibrosis from ones with moderate liver fibrosis, a cut off point=0.39, PPV=0.7 and NPV=0.54 was obtained, whereas for differentiating them from sever liver fibrosis patients, the cut off point of 0.25, PPV=0.76 and NPV=0.7 was achieved. Distincting the mild and moderate fibrosis, platelet was found to be an appropriate variable, having a cut off point of 158500. Moreover, to set mild and sever fibrosis apart, platelet and albumin were more valuable. In this study cut off point of 151000 for platelet and 3.6 for albumin was obtained, respectively. Similar to other relevant studies we also could not find any appropriate marker for making the distinction between moderate and severe fibrosis. Our study outlines that AST/platelet index has an appropriate cut off point for distinction between non-fibrotic and moderate and sever liver fibrosis. Distinguishing the mild cases from both moderate and sever fibrosis, platelet is a good marker. Furthermore, albumin is another marker for distinction between mild and sever fibrosis. The studied markers are not able to distinct all stages of fibrosis. Due to their limitations, they can not be applied in various clinical situations. In this regard, no definite substitute for liver biopsy has been found yet. Acquiring a test or technique that contains all necessary standards for evaluation of liver fibrosis requires further studies and researches

[Assessment of right ventricular function among hypertensive patients using pulse tissue doppler]

Classically, one's heart function is mostly based upon its systolic function, whereas the diastolic function steps on second order. In recent years it has been revealed that diastolic function plays an important role in both cardiac mortality and cardiac morbidity. On the other hand is hypertension which due to increasing the afterload, interferes with these functions of heart. In this study we assessed the diastolic function of hypertensive patients using pulse tissue Doppler. 30 patients with high blood pressure that had not consumed anti-hypertensive agents and along with 30 healthy control ones enrolled in our survey, all of whom had normal sinus rhythm without detectable symptoms corresponding to congestive heart failure, ischemia, valvular diseases and pulmonary problems. 2D echocardiography was performed in both groups as well as M Mode and Doppler ech. The PTD echo was performed by the lateral annulus of both tricuspid and mitral valves. Systolic and diastolic findings were measured by PTD. Hypertensive patients had negative diastolic findings but no negative systolic ones. PTS illustrated that E/A ratio [early peak velocity / late peak velocity] in right ventricle had significantly decreases [P<0.01] among these patients. In right ventricle, both RT [relaxation time] [P<0.01], DT [decelation time] [P<0.04] and Am [Late Peak Velocity] [P<0.03] were converesly increased. Right ventricular E/A ratio had a significant correlation with that of left ventricle [P<0.005, r =0.5]. It seems that hypertension is longitudinally related with diastolic disfunction of right ventricle. This disturbance would be represented by the lengthened RT and decreasing of E/A ratio which are both resulted from interfering of two ventricle's function and increased pressure of left ventricle. Therefore, PTD can be applied to evaluate the right ventricular diastolic function among patients with high blood pressure

[Effects of adenotonsillectomy on pulmonary arterial pressure]

There are several studies which have shown that adenotonsillar hypertrophy can cause airway obstruction, chronic alveolar hypoventilation and even may lead to severe cardiopulmonary complications like pulmonary artery hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of adenotonsillectomy on pulmonary arterial pressure in children with hypertrophic tonsils and adenoids. fourty children [21 males, 19 females] aged between 4 and 14 [mean 7/9 +/- 2/3] years with a diagnosis of upper airway obstruction due to hypetrophied tonsils and adenoids were included in our study. Pulmonary arterial pressure was measured by Doppler echocardiography both preoperatively, and 6 weeks after operation. Preoperative pulmonary arterial pressure [PAP] was 26/1 +/- 3/9 mmHg and postoperative PAP was 25/9 +/- 5 mmHg. Although in two cases out of three ones who had raised preoperative PAP, adenotonsillectomy resulted in decreasing the pressure, but there was no statistically significant difference between pre-operative and post-operative echocardiographic findings. It seems that whilst increasing of pulmomary arterial pressure [owing to Adenotonsillar hypertrophy], adenotonsillectomy can be of beneficial outcomes in decreasing this pressure

[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in children with chronic immune [idiopathic] thrombocytopenic purpura and evaluation of Helicobacter pylori eradication on platelet count]

Recently, the high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection has been reported in adult patients with chronic immune [idiopathic] thrombocytopenic purpura. Furthermore, after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in such patients, their platelet counts have been observed to increase, suggesting that Helicobacter pylori may be a causative agent of adults' chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. However, there have been only a few reports of this subject in children with chronic thrombocytopenic purpura. The purpose of this study is to determine prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Iranian children with chronic thrombocytopenic purpura and role of Helicobacter pylori eradication in rising platelet count of these patients. This descriptive-clinical trial study was performed in 31 children under 14 years old with chronic thrombocytopenic purpura who attended hematology ward of Mofid paediatric hospital. After determining platelet count, and filling the results patients referred to gastrointestinal ward of the hospital to perform urea breath test for evaluation of Helicobacter pylori infection, then Helicobacter pylori-infected patients who were diagnosed by this test, received eradication therapy using triple therapy regimen [containing Omeperasole, Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin] for 2 weeks and their platelet counts were recorded during the follow up period. Mean age of the patients was 8.9 +/- 3.2 years old ranging from 3.5 to 14 years old. They were 17 [54.9%] girls and 14 [45.1%] boys. Mean platelet count of the patients was 51.4 +/- 34.3x10[9] / L ranging form 125x10[9]/ L to 8x10[9] / L. Mean duration of disease in the patients was 27.7 +/- 20.2 months ranging from 7 to 96 months. Helicobacter pylori infection was found in only 4 children [12.9%] and Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy was not effective in rising platelet count to achieve complete or partial remission. Comparing Helicobacter pylori-positive and negative patients, there were no significant differences regarding their age, platelet count and duration of disease. This study shows that prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in children with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura is less than that is in adults. Furthermore, we have found that platelet count in Helicobacter pylori-positive children have not been risen after eradication therapy. We suggest that more studies in different gender groups and different zones in the world with more number of samples should be performed, especially in children in order to determine both the exact role of Helicobacter pylori's pathogenesis in developing the chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and the effectiveness of eradication therapy in rising platelet count in these patients

[Prednisolone therapy in refractory childhood epilepsy]

Steroids are effective medicaions for controlling the infantile spasms, but there have been few reports of steroid effect in other childhood epileptic syndromes, especially refractory syndromes. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of prednisolone in 35 children with intractable epilepsy. This prospective, uncontrolled study was undertaken at the Mofid paediatric Hospital from September 2004 to September 2005. Thirty five children [12 girls and 23 boys], aged bteween 1 to 12 years old with intractable epilepsy were enrolled. Prednisolone [1 mg/kg/day] was prescribed for 12 weeks [Once a day for 6 weeks follwed by every other day for another 6 weeks] in addition to their regular antiepileptic medications. The parents kept seizure diaries. After 1 year of follow up, 17 patients [49%] became seizure-free on prednisolone, whereas another 8 [23%] experienced a significant decreases more than 50% in seizure frequency. In contrast, ten patients [28%] had no changes in seizure frequency. The best response were seen in idiopathic epilepsy [95%] and atypical absence ones [86%]. The least therapeutic effect was seen in symptomatic myoclonic epilepsy [54%]. Side effects such as behavioral disturbances, weight gain and gastrointestinal bleeding were developed in 8 patients and also 14 patients were found to have cushingoid face. All the side effects were regressed after drug discontinuation Prednisolone therapy is a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for children with intractable epilepsy and it should be considered as an alternative treatment for older children with refractory epilepsy

[ effects of menastil on primary dysmenorrhea]

Considering the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its importance for women as well as social qualities and public tendency toward alternative complementary and herbal drugs, this study was carried out to determine the effect of Menastil on primary dysmenorrhea on students residing in Dormitories' universities of Saveh 2005. This placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial was performed on 72 single students between 18 and 26 years old with primary dysmenorrhea. Data were collected through a questionnaire which included demographic factors, exercise, stress factors, use of medicines, and the McGill pain ruler for determining of pain severity. Subjects were classified into two groups of moderate [4

[Evaluating the solid waste management of hospitals affiliated with Shaheed Beheshti Medical University]

Due to threatening of public health, Collection, separation and sanitary disposal of hospital solid waste are important. This research was performed to evaluate the management of hospitals' solid waste affiliated with Shaheed Beheshti Medical University during 1384. In this descriptive study the status of solid waste management of 13 hospital affiliated with Shaheed Beheshti Medical University was evaluated using a questionnaire in association with technical observation and interview. During the summer and winter, weighting the solid waste were performed in "Ayatollah Taleghani" and "Massih Daneshvari" Hospitals for three continual days and data were analyzed using SPSS program. 64.2% of hospitals were using bucket and plastic bags for keeping their solid waste. 30.8% of hospitals were collecting their solid waste manually. In 46.2% of hospitals, utilities using for collecting the solid waste were not being disinfected. 15.4% of hospital did not have any temporary place for keeping solid waste .27.3% of temporary places had only water tab and sewer pipe without having refrigerating room. 7.7% of hospital had just an open temporary-solid waste storage. In 25% of hospital which were producing radioactive solid wastes, collect their radioactive solid waste with normal solid ones. Radioactive solid waste containers in 50% of hospitals were not made form lead. None of hospitals had necessary and safety facilities. In 38.5% of hospital, loading of solid wastes were performed manually. In 15.4% of hospitals solid wastes were recycled. 42.3% of them were not separating their infected solid wastes from ordinary ones. 15.4% of hospitals did not have any special bags for separating infected solid wastes. In 92.3% of hospitals both infected and ordinary solid waste were carried out together. None of the hospital had hazardous less process for solid wastes. 79.6% of hospitals had workers without special education. Daily average of production volume of solid waste in these hospitals was measured 6426.9 liters. In "Ayatollah Taleghani" and "Massih Daneshvari" Hospitals 407.41 Kg of solid wastes were produced, whilst 49.7% of these solid wastes were infected. Results show that the management condition of solid waste in the studied hospitals is not satisfactory. Methods for disinfecting hospital waste should be studied. Separation of hazardous solid waste from ordinary solid waste should be performed, precisely. Education of hospital workers should be seriously followed

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis E virus among male blood donors in Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran

Serum samples from 399 voluntary male blood donors were tested for anti-hepatitis E virus [HEV] IgG during July and August 2004 at a blood transfusion centre in Tabriz city. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 7.8% [95% CI: 5.2-10.4]. Risk factors for infection included age and a low educational level. Seroprevalence increased significantly with age, from 3.3% in subjects under 30 years of age to 37.5% in individuals 50 years and over. Illiterate individuals were at significantly higher risk for infection than educated persons. The high seropositive rate among our male blood donors is compatible with endemicity of HEV in the Islamic Republic of Iran

[Seroepidemiologic survey of hydatid cyst in rural area of shemiranat and determining the efficacy of IFA test]

Hydatid disease [echinococcosis], caused by small tape worm, is one of the most important parasitic zoonosis and remains a major public health and economic concern worldwide. Imaging and serological techniques are essential elements to control, particularly when where surveillance for the disease in humans may lead to early diagnosis and successful treatment. The present study was designed to survey hydatid cyst in rural area of Shemiranat Seroepidemiologically and determines the efficacy of IFA test. For this descriptive study, 437 residents of Shemiranat were selected randomly. Indirect immunoflourescent [IFA] study was performed for all cases. Positive or suspicious subjects were confirmed by ELISA. Totally, 437 subjects including 276 females and 161 males aged 4-76 years were included, among whom 1 [0.22%] was positive and 7 were suspicious. With respect to low prevalence rate, it seems as if health programs are adequate in the region. On the other hand, close relationship between residents of Shemiranat with modem urban culture could explain in part the low prevalence

Prevalence of cytomegalovirus infection in hemodialysis patients in Labbafinejad Hospital in 2002-2003

Cytomegalovirus [CMV] causes infection in immunocompromised, transplant recipients and those who receive blood transfusion frequently. Latent and dormant CMV infection can be reactivated in immunocompromised patients and cause fulminant infection. Risk factors for primary CMV infection are blood transfusion [including clotting factors, etc.], recipients of infected transplants, hemodialysis, and the frequency of dialysis in a week. In order to evaluate the serologic status of hemodialysis patients in Labbafinejad Hospital, we have done this descriptive study.A descriptive study [cross-sectional] was designed in 54 hemodialysis patients in Labbafinejad Hospital. With ELISA technipue and with RADIM kit, IgM and IgG titers were determined. Titers greater than 1.1 ISR were considered positive and less than 0.9 ISR negative. Titersbetween 0.9 ISR and 1.1 ISR were considered equivocal and deleted. After primary data collection procedure aiming at evaluating relationships between parameters, Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used.In our study 54 patients who regularly underwent hemodialysis were studied. Twenty-ninepatients were male and 25 female with the age range of 53 +/- 16. Mean dialysis length was 81.7 +/- 69.4. In the time of evaluation, 49 patients [91%] were anti-CMV IgG positive and 10 were anti-CMV IgM positive. There was no relationship between the antibody titer and dialysis duration. There was found to be an indirect significant correlation between the CMV IgG titer and dialysis frequency [r=-0.31, P<0.024].Therefore, we recommend that every patient who was undergone hemodialysis receive bloodproducts free of CMV

[Survey of PPD status, booster phenomena and standard skin anergy test in chronic hemodialysis patients]

Introduction: The incidence of tuberculosis among patients with chronic renal disorders and under hemodialysis is sixteen times more as compared to other individuals of the society and the findings of tuberculin skin test in this group were negative in 30-40% of cases. To ascertain the immunity status of the above patients is helpful in analyzing the status of tuberculosis infection

Objective: This research has been undertaken to evaluate the status of tuberculin test and the phenomenon of remembering as well as to evaluate the skin anergy among the patients of chronic hemodialysis

Materials and Methods: The method of research is descriptive and its data collection tool was interview and observation. Forty-three hemodialysis patients from Taleghani and Modares hospitals were subjected to tuberculin skin test and anergy. Skin test with the use of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid solution was carried out on the hand without fistula within a 10 CM distance. The result was announced after 48-72 hours. Those patients whose tuberculin skin test was less than 10 mm were subjected once again to PPD

Results: The average age of the patients under study was 56.6 +/- 5.7. The time of dialysis was 54.2 +/- 67.1 months and the instances of dialysis were 2.9 +/- 0.3 times per week. First PPD induration was 7.1 +/- 4 and 16.3 % of test findings were negative [<5 mm] and 53.5 % had induration measurement of 5- 10 mm and 30.2 % had positive result of more than 10 mm. There was a weak correlation between the findings of first PPD and age, which was statistically insignificant.There was not significant correlation between the findings of first PPD and tuberculosis precedence. There was a weak correlation between the time of dialysis and the first time PPD measurement, which was statistically insignificant. Induration measurement of anergy test was 3.9 +/- 2.8; the result of this test was negative [<2 mm] in 18.6% of the patients. 83.3% of the patients with the result of less than 10 mm on the first PPD test were positive on anergy test, 28.6 % of patients had negative results for both tests of anergy and first PPD. The indurations balance of second PPD was 7.4 +/- 2.8 mm and 2 patients [4.6 %] out of the total patients had result of less than 5 mm on first and second tuberculin test and showed the result of less than 2 mm on the anergy test

Conclusion: In attention to 14% of cases with negative results on anergy test who showed positive result on tuberculin test, it's suggested that PPD and Booster tests in combination with anergy tests can be better than using tuberculosis screening in hemodialysis patients

Frequency of antibodies to hepatitis E virus among male blood donors in Tabriz

Hepatitis E virus [HEV] causes enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis. Hepatitis E virus infection spreads by the fecal-oral route. However, blood donors might transmit HEV during the transient phase viremia that precedes the onset of symptoms. To our knowledge, few reports on the prevalence of Hepatitis E in Iranian blood donors exist. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of anti-HEV among male blood donors in Tabriz. This cross-sectional study was carried out between July and August 2004 in Tabriz. Serum samples were collected from 399 voluntary male blood donors and tested for anti-HEV IgG using EIA. All the subjects were negative for anti-HIV, anti-HBV and anti-HCV antibodies. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG among 399 blood donors was 7.8% [95% CI: 5.2%-10.4%]. Seropositive subjects had a mean of 40.7 +/- 12.4 SD. Donors who were 40 and older [14 out of 83] had significant higher seroprevalence than those who were younger than 40 [17 of 316] [p<0.001]. 3 of 11 illiterate donors had anti-HEV IgG. Among educated donors 10 of 88, 14 of 206 and 4 of 94 in elementary, intermediate and college levels were positive respectively [p<0.025]. These findings demonstrate the high seropositive rate of anti-HEV among male blood donors in Iran that is compatible with endemicity of this virus in our country

effect of exercise on premenstrual syndrome [PMS]

In the light of prevalence of premenstrual syndrome, its effects on women as well as social living qualities and public tendency toward alternative complementary and non-drug treatment, and contradictory reports about the effects of exercise on PMS, this research is conducted on students residing in Shaheed Beheshti University dormitory in 2004. This clinical trial [before and after treatment] was carried out on 35 single students with premenstrual symptoms. The diagnosis of PMS was based on the PMS complications standard multiple choice checklist, which include 30 psycho-somatic items. The subjects were classified into two groups based on their checklist scores. The mild group [scores less than 30], and the moderate to severe one [scores >/= 30]. The subjects carried out the instructed aerobic exercises three times a day, and also 30 minutes of daily walking for two weeks before their menstruation for a period of two months. They were handed out the PMS complication checklist at the beginning of each month so that they could fill it out daily based on "no problem", "mild", "moderate" and "severe" status. The case was considered as improved if the total PMS score was reduced by one in comparison with the start of the study. The status of PMS was investigated at the end of the first and the second months. The PMS and psychotic symptoms score before the study was compared with the end of the first and the second months exercise and evaluated based on Wilcoxon and McNemar tests. Prevalence of PMS in dormitory female students was 22.2% [16.12-28.3, CI: 95%]. The total PMS score was reduced on 29 subjects [82.9%] after two months of exercise [P=0.001]. While 30 cases [85.5%] had improved psychotic symptoms [P=0.001] and 26 subjects [74.4%] had improved physical symptoms [P=0.001]. Exercise resulted in improved physical symptoms including abdominal pain, back pain [P=0.05], breast tenderness [P=0.08], and psychotic symptoms including irritability, impatience, weakness, fatigue, weeping, depression, tendency to remain indoors [P=0.05] and anxiety [P=0.08]. Exercise improves PMS. However, it is recommended that a complete experimental study [including control] be performed to investigate the effects on various exercises on subjects in longer periods of time

Is bladder cancer more common among opium addicts?

Many environmental and occupational risk factors have been proposed for bladder cancer, among which opium consumption has been considered in few studies. We designed a study to determine the relationship between opium consumption and bladder cancer. In a retrospective, case-control study, male patients with bladder cancer, who had been referred to our hospital in a three-year period, were selected. Data regarding age, gender, smoking, and opium consumption were collected from patients' records and compared with data of a control group, consisting of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]. Fifty-two male patients with bladder tumor [group 1] were compared with 108 patients with BPH [group 2]. Of the patients with bladder cancer, 36 [68%] were smokers, of whom 12 were also opium addicts. In general, 13 [25.5%] patients were opium consumers [one opium consumer was not smoker]. From 108 patients with BPH, 25 [23%] were smokers, of whom, 5 were also opium addicts. Mean duration of cigarette smoking was 31 +/- 13.6 and 20.2 +/- 14.7 years in patients with bladder cancer and BPH, respectively. The duration of opium consumption was 11.9 +/- 1.4 and 6.2 +/- 1.3 years in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The duration of cigarette smoking and opium consumption in group 1 was greater than that in group 2. In addition, smoking increases the risk of bladder cancer 3.8-fold [OR=8.3, 95% CI=1.8-7.8]. Simultaneous cigarette smoking and opium consumption increases the risk of bladder cancer 6.2-fold [OR=6.2, 95% CI=2.04-18.7]. There are few studies regarding the carcinogenic effect of opium on bladder. We demonstrated that, the incidence of bladder cancer in smokers, who are simultaneously opium consumers, was higher than in patients who were only smokers. Simultaneous opium addiction and cigarette smoking may have some roles in the pathogenesis of bladder tumor. However, further studies with large sample sizes are warranted

Anti Hepatitis E Virus Seropositivity in a Group of Blood Donors

Type E hepatitis is caused by an unclassified virus producing acute self-limited hepatitis in different parts of the world. In order to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis E virus seropositivity in Tehran blood donors, a cross' sectional study was performed by the enzyme immunoassay method from 2003 to 2004 in a group of 90 blood donors. We noticed that 7 cases [7.8%] were anti-HEV Ab positive. This figure correlates with the prevalence ratio of endemic parts. There was no association between seropositivity and sex. The commonest age group was 40-49 years. We conclude that Iran can be considered as an endemic area for type E hepatitis [prevalence>5%], and type E hepatitis is more common in Iran than Israel and Turkey, but less common than Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan; therefore, it should be regarded in the differential diagnosis of acute hepatitis