[Assessing the acoustic rhinometry in Iranian population without nasal breathing compliance]

Evaluating the diagram of acoustic rhinometry in normal Iranian population can be very helpful in identifying the function of nasal air flow. The aim of the present study was to examine the diagram of acoustic rhinometry in normal Iranian population with no breathing problem. This was a cross-sectional study in which 166 persons free of any breathing complaint underwent acoustic rhinometry test [GM acoustic rhinometry apparatus equipped with an ultrasound System] at Rasool-e-Akram hospital in Tehran. Later, the diagram of the minimum nasal cross section surface and volume was recorded and the data were further analyzed using t-test. While the minimum cross sectional surface in acoustic rhinometry test of 66.8% of individuals was 0.5597 cm[3] at an average distance of 1840/4 cm from the anterior concha it was 0.6166 cm[3] in 33.2% of individuals at a distance of 2.3355 from the anterior nostril. No significant correlation was found between the gender and both the volume and the minimum cross sectional surface although the nostril distance from the inferior concha was significantly lower in women compared to men [P<0.05]. Also, no significant relationship between the height and age of study population and the volume and nasal cross section diameter was established. Regarding the differences found between the results of acoustic rhinometry in various races, it could be claimed that the findings of the present study obtained from Iranian population might be a suitable measure in diagnosis of nasal airway diseases leading to selection of the most appropriate method of treatment [medical or surgical] and also the possibility of comparing the pre-and post-operation results

[Causes of patients referring to the emergency clinic of Iranian red crescent society after the earthquake of Haiti in 2010]

According to the research, providing the necessary resources exactly in order to establish emergency clinics requires attention to the frequency and the use of medical services during the establishment. This paper aims to study the frequency and causes of patients referring to the emergency clinic of Islamic Republic of Iran Red Crescent Society after earthquake of Haiti in 2010. All patients referred to the emergency clinic were surveyed by using convenience and consecutive sampling in this sectional and observational study. Some data was recorded as demographic characteristics including gender and age and clinical data as clinical complaints and type of prescribed medication. The results show that, the most frequent cause of Haitian patients complaints [about 35/90%] in Iranian clinic was because of pain after earthquake. Most prescribed and frequent drugs were tranquilizers and antibiotics respectively. Regarding the results, it must be cared for patients pain and infection treatment and the contagious diseases after earthquake in emergency clinic. Therefore, the mentioned cases should be considered in the future clinics

[Extra cellular superoxide dismutase activity in lung injuries due to sulfur mustard]

Pulmonary complications are known to occur in over half of the patients exposed to sulfur mustard [SM]. There is controversial regarding the role of extracellular superoxide dismutase [EC-SOD] in different airway diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between lung function and EC-SOD activity in patient with lung injuries due to SM. This was a case-control study carried out on 220 patients with lung complication due to SM in the city of Sardasht [Iran] in 2007. Spirometry was used to assess pulmonary function followed by measurement of EC-SOD activity. T test was employed to examine the differences between study groups. Pearson correlation coefficient was also used to find the possible correlation between EC-SOD activity and the lung function. The mean EC-SOD activity in control group [70.5 +/- 10.8U/L] was higher than that of moderate to severe group 67.0 +/- 6.1 U/L [p < 0.001]. There was no significant difference for mean EC-SOD activity between mild and control groups. Significant and direct association between EC-SOD activities and lung function was established [p < 0.001]. According to our findings, inactivation of EC-SOD may lead to progressive inflammation and lung injury due to sulfur mustard