[Effect of linseed [seed of flax] on blood lipid levels]

Linseed [seed of flax] contains high amounts of omega-3 Fatty acids, which is said to have antihyperlipidemic effects. In this study, blood lipid levels [Triglycerids, Cholesterol, LDL, HDL] of 56 hyperlipidemic patients were measured before and after Linseed administration [6 gr linseed powder daily as a biscuit formulation for 3 months as a supplementation to their simple diet]. The results were analysed by t-test using SPSS software. There were some decreases in the mean level of serum total cholesterol [about 10% decrease, P=0.001], mean serum triglyceride [about 12% decrease, P=0.001], and mean serum LDL [about 10% decrease, P=0.001] before and after Linseed administration. The total-Cholesterol/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios decreased concordantly as well. However, there was no significant alteration in serum HDL level after linseed administration. Linseed administration combined with a simple diet, clinically decreases blood lipid levels. Hence, supplementation of simple diet with 6 gr Linseed powder daily, seems to be helpful in reducing patients blood lipid levels

[Prediction of LV dysfunction in basis of ventricular depolarization time in patients with left bundle brunch block]

Prolongation of ventricular depolarization time [QRS duration] particularly in left bundle branch block [LBBB] is commonly associated with many cardiac diseases. Electrocardiographic study of QRS duration and electrical axis may be predictors of sever LV systolic dysfunction. In this prospective study that was conducted in CCU and out-patient clinic of Shaheed Beheshti hospital in Babol [2000-2003], 150 patients with the diagnosis of LBBB were assigned in two groups [one QRS >/= 160 and the other with QRS<160 millisecond.]. Then relationship between QRS-duration, left axis deviation [LAD] and echocardiographic LV ejection fraction [EF] were analysed using SPSS software and T-test, chi-square and linear regression analysis in step wise manner. There was no significant correlation between age and gender with duration of QRS and LAD among patients with LBBB [NS]. The mean +/- standard deviation of EF in the patients with a QRS duration >/= 160 millisecond was significantly lower than the mean of EF in the patients with a QRS duration <160 millisecond [%[54.50 +/- 10.55] vs.%[23.89 +/- 5.47] p<0.001]. Pearson correlation between EF and LAD was lower than its value between EF and QRS duration [r=0.378 p=0.006 vs. r=0.926 p<0.001, respectively]. Evaluating QRS duration in the presence of LBBB has a significant inverse relation with EF and when its value is greater than 160 millisecond, it could be a simple and appropriate marker of significant left ventricular dysfunction

relationship between early complications of acute MI with serum CRP level

The role of CRP as a predictor of acute coronary syndrome [ACS] and its complication is controversy. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between serum c- reactive protein [CRP] levels with complication of Acute MI. This study was performed on 100 patients with Acute MI who were admitted in heart department of Babol Shahid Beheshti hospital. The level of CRP measured on third day of admission. Prevalence of CRP level in patients group with complication included electrical, mechanical and hemodynamical compared with uncomplicated group. CRP was increased in 85% of patients. Complications of AMI were observed in 64% of patients. The mean level of CRP in complicated group was significantly higher than uncomplicated group [110.8 +/- 61.2 and 32.2 +/- 38.3 respectively, p<0.001]. The mean CRP levels in patients with electrical, mechanical and hemodynamical complications were 80, 139.6 and 137.4 micg/ml respectively, which was significantly higher than uncomplicated group [p<0.001]. The results of this study show that there was an association between serum CRP levels and cardiac complication in early phase of AMI. CRP can predict the complication of AMI at early phase

[Relationship between duration of QRS complex in ECG and echocardiographic ejection fraction in patients with Left bundle branch block]

Prolongation of QRS duration particularly in Left bundle Branch Block [LBBB] is commonly associated with many cardiac diseases. Electrocardiographic study of QRS duration and electrical axis may be predictors of severe LV systolic dysfunction. In this prospective Study conducted in cardiac ward CCU and out- patient clinic of Sh. Beheshti hospital in Babol [1999-2001], 150 patients with diagnosis of LBBB divided to two groups [one QRS >/= 0.16 second and the other with QRS<0.16] second. Then relationship between QRS- duration, Left axis deviation and echocardiographic LV ejection fraction analysed. There wasn't significant correlation between ages, gender, and type of cardiac disease with ejection fraction among patients with LBBB. The mean ejection Fraction in the patients with a QRS duration 0.16 second [n=19] was significantly lower than the mean ejection fraction in the patients with a QRS duration<0.16 second [n=131] [P<0.05] Presence of Left axis deviation associated with LBBB did not have added predictive value and was not significantly correlated with Ejection Fraction. As conclusion, the QRS duration 0.16 second in the presence of LBBB has a significant inverse relation with Ejection Fraction and is a simple and appropriate marker of significant left ventricular dysfunction

Chronobiology of acute myocardial infarction

The chronobiology of the Acute Myocardial Infarction [AMI] is an interesting matter for recognition of the biological mechanism that might trigger AMI. The present study was aimed to investigate the circadian, seasonal and circannual variation of the AMI occurrence with solar, lunar, and Christian months. A retrospective study of 1174 cases with diagnosis of AMI was conducted. All the cases were admitted to the coronary care unit of Shahid Beheshti and Yahyanejad Hospitals in Babol, north of Iran, between 1990 to 2000. The date was extracted by the day and months of diagnosis based on the solar, lunar and Christian calender from hospital charts. The Chi-squarc test was used to test the uniformity of the observed frequencies of AMI onset in the different months based on solar, lunar Christian and the days of the week. The result showed that there was a significant trend toward higher rate of MI at the beginning of the week, on Saturday [18.1%] and the least [12.3%] on Fridays. Although, the observed frequency of AMI has tendency to be higher in Ordibehesht of solar month and Shaban in lunar month than other months, the monthly variation was not statistically significant [P>0.05]. However, there was a significant difference in MI occurrence in Christian months with the highest peak in November [P<0.05]. Also, we did not find a significant seasonal variation of AMI where 26.2%, 32.1%, 26.8% and 23.9% of Ml occurred in spring, summer, fall, and winter respectively [P>0.05]. Our result indicated a significant day of week variation in AMI occurrence with higher peak on Saturdays and full moon phase of lunar months

[Knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] of people living in Babol about clinical symptoms and risk factors of coronary artery diseases [CAD]]

Background and Objective: Determination and modification of cardiac risk factors with early detection of coronary artery disease [CAD] have important role in control of mortality and morbidity in the world. It is necessary to increase the knowledge and attitude of people for better practice and decrease in morbidity and mortality of cardiac disease. This investigation was done to determine the KAP study of people living in Babol [As one of the large cities in North of Iran] for CAD

Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study was performed on 1500 persons aged 20-70 years old in Babol. Data were gathered by a questionnaire with 32 questions in five different regions of the city and then the results were statistically analyzed

Findings: From all cases, 58.6% were male and 41.4% were female. About symptoms of CAD: 62.7% and 4.2% had poor and good knowledge, respectively. 27.9% and 36% had poor and good attitude, 37.7% and 14.6% had poor and good practice, respectively. About risk factors of CAD: 65.3% and 0.9% had poor and good knowledge, 43.5% and 6.5% had poor and good attitude, 53.7% and 0.9% had poor and good practice, respectively

Conclusion: In conclusion, people of Babol city have poor knowledge, moderate attitude and poor to moderate practice about symptoms of coronary artery disease and its risk factors. Planning for increasing KAP for prevention of CAD is necessary

[ inhabitants health status in high and low natural background radiation areas in Ramsar, north of Iran]

Background and Objective: ramsar a coastal city in the north part of Iran has among the highest levels of natural radiation known to exist in an inhabited area. This is mainly due to radium-226 and its progenies coming to the earth surface through hot springs. The health effect of low doses of ionizing radiation is not clear and is still under the matter of discussion. The study of the effects of high natural background radiation on human health was the main goal of this investigation. The present article is showing the results of the first phase of our work

Materials and Methods: this cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on 101 families [402 residents] of high background radiation areas and 98 families [374 residents] from adjacent normal radiation areas. After description of the study and its objectives to the participants, they were asked to participate in interviews and complete questionnaires containing some socio-economic and health items. Some items of questionnaires were determined using the information recorded in local health centers in those areas

Results: overall data showed no significant differences between the frequencies of any mental and physical disabilities as well as death, abortion and mental depression in residents of normal and high background radiation areas. However the frequency of some special diseases such as cardiac diseases and malignancies among residents of high background radiation area in comparison with ordinary radiation level areas was lower [P<0.05]

Conclusion: these preliminary results, showed lack of ill effects and even some positive effects. Among population of high background radiation areas. Although we used census method for getting data, we believe that other radio-epidemiologic prospective studies can improve our knowledge about radiobiology of low doses of ionizing radiation

survey of cardiovascular risk factors in Babolian rural hypertensives

High blood pressure control [HBPC] is a common goal of WHO and the world hypertension league [WHL]. The two important strategies in HBPC are identifying cardiovascular [CVD] risk factors and planning to modify controllable factors. This study was accomplished to determine the CVD risk factors in high blood pressure [HBP] patients of the rural population, residing in the Babol region, north of Iran, in the year 2000. This study was a cross-sectional research. 150 hypertensive patients were selected by cluster random sampling method. The data were collected with two questionnaires [demographic characters and behavioral habits questionnaire and Eschpel Burger's anxiety record] and laboratory tests. The data analysis has indicated that the rate of most risk factors such as cholesterol level, body mass index, anxiety score and other factors is highly elevated. The results demonstrated that the rates of CVD risk factors were higher in Iranian hypertensive patients compared to other countries. Probably, because of this, the maximum rate of achievement of high blood pressure control was only 18.4%