[Social factors contributing in women health in Tehran city: a qualitative study]

Women constitute half of the population and their health is the keystone of family and society's health. Women's problems could adversely affect physical health and in particular mental health of the family, society, and future generations. The present study aimed at determining the social predisposing factors on women's health in Iran. Using qualitative method [content analysis], semi-structured interactional interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 22 women aged 20 to 50 years who were living in Tehran. Interviewing the participants were continued to reach data saturation. All the interviews were recorded and transcribed. They were analyzed through a qualitative content analysis method. Six themes were identified in data analysis: gender disparities, burden, economical problems, appropriate occupation, women sport and cultural and educational growth which reflect effective social factors on women's health. The study revealed that women are still suffering from disparities. They need appropriate social welfare, sport, job and education to be healthy. Knowing these, nurses could make an effort to acculturate men participation in house chores and to develop gender equalities in order to provide health for women and families

Assessment of myocardial viability with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and technetium scintigraphy

In patients with coronary artery disease [CAD], assessment of viable myocardium has important prognostic implications. The aim of this study was to compare contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging [ce-MRI] with single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT], using [99m]TC-sestamibi for detection of myocardial viability. Twenty-seven patients with coronary artery disease and an ejection fraction [EF] <40% were enrolled. For the ce-MRI, the segmental extent of hyperenhancement [SEH] was quantified after the administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent, and for the SPECT a 4-hour redistribution protocol was used. For the assessment of EF, we used echocardiography. Comparison of viability assessment was performed in 1458 segments. Agreement between two modalities was obtained in 1332 [91.4%] segments, resulting in a kappa value of 0.8. In 126 segments, we had discordant results. 102 SPECT viable segments were non-viable according to ce-MR I and 24 ce-MRI viable segments were described as non-viable by SPECT. SPECT was comparable to ce-MRI for myocardial viability assessment, but we were not able to define which of them was superior

Comparison of bilateral and unilateral total knee arthroplasty in Iranian hospital, Dubai

There have been many studies in the literature on the advantages and disadvantages of bilateral versus staged or unilateral knee arthroplasty. In this study, the results of bilateral and unilateral total knee arthroplasty cases during the past 3 years were compared. The records of all cases undergoing total knee arthroplasty between March 2005 and February 2008 were studied retrospectively. There have been 62 patients [105 knees] operated, from seven different countries. Among these cases, 43 cases had bilateral TKA, from which 36 patients underwent simultaneous intervention, four patients had staged TKA with one-week gap and three cases were staged with one-year gap between interventions. Except for two cases of postoperative delirium [probably due to transient fat emboli] and three cases of transient renal impairment, there had been no complications in the simultaneous bilateral cases. The need of blood transfusion was significantly higher in simultaneous cases [1.7 unit/patient] compared to unilateral cases [0.6 unit/patient]. There were no major problems with the simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty. In the case of bilateral varus deformity, the postoperative rehabilitation was easier and the patients were more satisfied. Moreover, considering the fact that most of our patients came from various countries, simultaneous total knee replacement effectively reduced the hospitalization costs and related expenses

Evaluation of wear rate of dental composites polymerized by halogen or LED light curing units

Sufficient polymerization is a critical factor to obtain optimum physical properties and clinical efficacy of resin restorations. The aim of this study was to evaluate wear rates of composite resins polymerized by two different systems Light Emitting Diodes [LED] to and Halogen lamps. In this laboratory study, 20 specimens of A3 Tetric Ceram composite were placed in brass molds of 2x10x10 mm dimensions and cured for 40 seconds with 1 mm distance from surface. 10 specimens were cured with LED and the other 10 were cured with Halogen unit. A device with the ability to apply force was developed in order to test the wear of composites. After storage in distilled water for 10 days, the specimens were placed in the wear testing machine. A chrome cobalt stylus with 1.12 mm diameter was applied against the specimens surfaces with a load of 2 kg. The weight of each samples before and after 5000, 10000, 20000, 40000, 80000 and 120000 cycles was measured using an electronic balance with precision of 10[+4] grams. Data were analyzed using t test and paired t test. P<0.05 was considered as the limit of significance. Mean weight in both groups had statistically significant difference before and after all cycles [P<0.05]. In halogen group 5000 and 10000 cycles led to significant difference with 40000, 80000 and 120000 cycles [P<0.05]. In LED group 20000 cycles had significant difference with both 5000 and 120000 cycles [P>0.05]. Based on the results of this study, LED and halogen light curing units resulted in a similar wear rate in composite resin restorations

Ocular manifestation of tuberculosis

To determine the prevalence of ocular involvement in patients with tuberculosis [TB] infection. All patients with a new diagnosis of TB who were referred to Zahedan Tuberculosis Center underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Any cases of known ophthalmic disease or previous ocular involvement were excluded from the study. Prevalence of ocular involvement with 95% confidence interval [95% CI] was calculated. Out of 444 eyes of 222 TB patients, 19 eyes [4.3%, 95% CI: 2.6-6.6%] of 17 patients [7.7%, 95% CI: 4.5-12.0%] had some ophthalmic lesions ascribable to TB. The most frequent ophthalmic lesions were choroidal tubercles in 4 eyes [21.1%]; interstitial keratitis and acute iritis each in 3 eyes [15.8%]; chorioretinitis, peripapillary nodule and lid lupus vulgaris each in 2 eyes [10.5%]; and retinal vasculitis, vitritis and lateral rectus paresis each in one eye [5.3%]. The ocular involvement was unilateral in 88.2%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that only the duration of TB before treatment had direct correlation with ocular involvement [odds ratio= 5.22, 95% CI: 1.57-17.35]. The frequency of ocular involvement in TB in the study population is at least 3 times greater than other countries. Early treatment of TB can reduce ocular involvement and prevent other complications of the disease

Ocular side effects of desferal in patients with beta thalassemia

To evaluate the ocular side effects of desferal in beta-thalassemia major patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 beta-thalassemia major subjects. All patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination, color vision test, and visual field evaluation. Electroretinography [ERG] was performed for 50 patients. Mean patient age was 14.4 years. Only 9 patients complained from ocular problems including nyctalopia [8 subjects] and permanent visual loss [one case], but eye examination revealed abnormalities in 74 subjects including cataract in 43, fundus abnormality in 9; abnormal visual field in 71 with the most common abnormality being paracentral scotoma [64%], and abnormal color vision in 35 with the most common abnormality being tritanopia [81%]. All patients had abnormal ERG with abnormal amplitude of "a" and "b" waves in scotopic phase. There was no significant correlation between age, duration of desferal usage or serum ferritin with ocular findings. All patients who received more than 40 mg/kg/day of desferal had ocular abnormalities. The main risk factor for ocular finding in desferal users is the dosage- ERG and perimetry are useful for early detection of ocular problems in these patients