ABSTRACT
The possible effect of iron supplementation has been investigated in the normal population and patients with gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM]. In this study, we survey the risk factors of GDM in pregnant women in contrast with normoglycemic patients in a case control study in patients using iron supplement. This case control study conducted on 52 pregnant women with GDM [25 women with type Al and 27 women with Type A2 of GDM]. The control group randomly selected 50 normoglycemic women. Venous blood sampling was done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy for measuring of ferritin, lipoproteins, uric acid and malondialdehyde serum levels. Under study variables including age, gestational age, weight and BMI were gathered. All the women were followed up until the time of delivery and pregnancy outcome were gathered. The serum ferritin levels in GDM group was 31.22+15.44, which is significantly higher than 24.76+8.94, in the control group with [P=0.012]. Plasma hemogulobin in the control group was 12.2+0.1 compared to 12.9+0.1 in GDM group which was significantly lower [P=0.005]. Triglycerides was significantly higher in GDM group in contrast with the control group, 275.08+143.17 and 192.30+92.13 [P=0.001], respectively. Finally, our findings indicate the concentration of serum ferritin levels was significantly higher in The GDM group
ABSTRACT
Objective: Elevated nucleated red blood cell [NRBC] count is introduced as a potential marker of intra-uterine growth restriction [IUGR]. To investigate the probable association regardless of any known underlying disease, we aimed to study disturbances in NRBC count in infants experiencing idiopathic IUGR
Materials and methods: Twenty three infants regarded IUGR without any known cause were chosen to be compared to 48 normal neonates. Blood samples were collected instantly after birth and the same measurements were done in both groups
Results: NRBC count/100 white blood cells was significantly higher in the IUGR group [P value < 0.001]. pH measurements did not reveal any significant difference
Conclusion: Increased NRBC count in cases of idiopathic IUGR in absence of chronic hypoxia could strengthen its predictive value suggested in previous studies. It could help early IUGR detection and beneficial intervention
ABSTRACT
The core concept of plagiarism is defined as the use of other people's ideas or words without proper acknowledgement. Herein, we used a questionnaire to assess the knowledge of students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences [TUMS] regarding plagiarism and copyright infringement. The questionnaire comprised 8 questions. The first six questions of the questionnaire were translations of exercises of a book about academic writing and were concerning plagiarism in preparing articles. Questions number 7 and 8 [which were concerning plagiarism in preparing Microsoft PowerPoint slideshows and copyright infringement, respectively] were developed by the authors of the present study. The validity of the questionnaire was approved by five experts in the field of epidemiology and biostatistics. A pilot study consisting of a test and retest was carried to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. The sampling method was stratified random sampling, and the questionnaire was handed out to 74 interns of TUMS during July and August 2011. 14.9% of the students correctly answered the first six questions. 44.6% of the students were adequately familiar with proper referencing in Microsoft PowerPoint slideshows. 16.2% of the students understood what constitutes copyright infringement. The number of correctly answered questions by the students was directly proportionate to the number of their published articles. Knowledge of students of TUMS regarding plagiarism and copyright infringement is quite poor. Courses with specific focus on plagiarism and copyright infringement might help in this regard
ABSTRACT
There are strong evidences suggesting the secretion of different cytokines in cervical fluid during preterm labor. Betamethasone is widely administered for several reasons in preterm conditions. To Investigate the possible effect of betamethasone on endocervical cytokine concentration of women at risk of preterm labor. In a randomized clinical trial of 80 prime-gravid women in preterm labor between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation, cervical fluid was collected. Endocervical concentration of inflammatory cytokines were analyzed before and 48 hours after betamethasone treatment for the evaluation of IL-8, IL-17, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were employed for statistical analysis. chi2 and Student's t tests were used whenever needed. All the measured cytokines showed significant changes in the betamethasone treated group. IL-17 [p=0.001], IL-8 [p=0.001], and IFN- gamma [p<0.05] decreased significantly, while TGF-beta had a significant increase [p<0.05]. In the patients who delivered before or on the 7[th] day of admission, IL-17, IL-8, and IFN-gamma levels were all significantly higher. However, TGF-beta decreased significantly in the same samples in the betamethasone treated group [p<0.05]. Betamethasone significantly decreases the endocervical pro-inflammatory cytokine oncentrations in patients with preterm labor.
ABSTRACT
Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is a common disease among women in fertility ages and cause severe insulin resistance. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is said to be among the features of PCOS that could influence its outcome. This study aimed to investigate whether hyperhomocysteinaemia exists in PCOS and if it is related to insulin resistance in the affected patients. This prospective study was carried out in a university based fertility clinic. Sixty four PCOS patients and 50 normo ovulatory controls were reviewed for fasting glucose, insulin, homocysteine, luteinizing hormone [LH], and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] plasma levels in the blood sample of the 3[rd] day of their menstrual cycle. Insulin resistance was determined with the fasting glucose [mmol/L] to insulin [mIU/L] ratio and HOMA-IR [Homeostasis model assessment-Insulin resistance]. Independent-samples T-test and linear regression test were utilized to analyze the obtained data. Homocysteine levels compared between PCOS patients and control group showed a significant difference. PCOS group was divided into insulin resistant [IR] [LogHOMA-IR >/= 0.57] and non insulin resistant [NIR] patients. The IR group had significantly higher homocysteine [p-value=0.02], fasting insulin and glucose levels [p-value<0.001] rather than NIR group. PCOS patients have a leaning toward hyperhomocysteinaemia and insulin resistance. Insulin resistant patients are found to have higher homocysteine level