Comparing the brain growth in normal children and those with congenital heart diseases

Congenital heart diseases is one of the important factors which will decrease the growth rate of different parts of human body. In children who are suffering from heart diseases, due to heart failure as a result of poor blood supply, the growth of brain and skull will be effected leading to complex phenomenon in cephalometry. The aim of this study was to measure the length, breadth, height, circumference of the head, calculation of brain volume, weight, and cephalic index among healthy children compared with children with congenital heart diseases. This study was carried out in 474 cases 276 normal cases as control group and 198 cases were selected as patient group between the age of one month to six years. The cephalometric indices of brain in both control and patients groups at the age of one to thirty six months were increased, followed by decrease in growth of brain. These indices among the congenital heart disease patients showed less growth in brain volume. Reduction of head dimensions in children with congenital heart disease in early life, might be due to the lack of O2 and poor blood supply to brain cells. Careful attention by parents and physicians can ensure early diagnosis thus restoring normal growth

in vitro fertilization rate of mouse ova in the absence or presence of recombinant human leukemia inhibitory factor

To examine the effect of human recombinant leukemia inhibitory factor in different doses on rate of fertilization of mouse ova. Prospective study. Department of Anatomy, laboratory of cell culture. Animals: Female NMRI mice 6 to 8 weeks old. Mice were killed at 12-14 hours after hCG or 36-38 hours after hMG injection. Mature oocytes were obtained and divided randomly into 5 groups. Oocytes in group A [n=157] were cultured as the control group in TYH medium. Oocytes in groups B, C, D, E [n=137, 154, 166 and 159, respectively] were cultured in the same medium supplemented with recombinant human leukemia inhibitory factor in four different concentrations [5, 7.5, 10, 20ng/ml, respectively] for 1 hour. After that time 100000 spermatozoa were added to every drop and after 24-26 hours two cell embryos were recorded. Fertilization was assessed by recording the number of 2-cell embryos and analysed by X[2] tests. Two cell embryos. No significant difference was detected in the rate of two cell embryos in the studied experimental groups as compared with the rate of two cell embryos in control group [Group A]. This study showed that, different concentrations of recombinant human of leukemia inhibitory factor in standard medium does not enhance in vitro fertilization rate of mouse oocytes

Prevalence of scoliosis in female students 11-15 years of age in Ahwaz, Iran

To determine the prevalence of scoliosis in school-going children of different age groups for correct diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis. In 2004, we screened 1400 children from secondary schools in Ahwaz City, Southwestern Iran, for scoliosis. We carried out random sampling and used the necessary equipment for measurement and examination. Our results indicate that the prevalence of scoliosis was 2% among all the candidates. However, the prevalence of scoliosis among 12-year-old children was 42.9%, while, among 11 and 15-year-old children was 3.6%, showing that the prevalence of scoliosis was higher in children 12-year-olds compared with 11 and 15-year-olds. Among all the candidates, 12 had deformities, such as, lordosis and kyphosis. Our data showed a significant difference between scoliosis and deformity [p<0.001]. We also report that there was no significant relationship between hand dominance, and the weight of healthy persons compared with scoliosis subjects. The correct diagnosis and treatment in the early stages of adolescence can prevent the spread of scoliosis