[Efficacy of HBV vaccination in children with thalassemia major [south Khorasan - 2007]]

Hepatitis B is a major problem occurred in patients with thalassemia major due to repeated blood transfusion. Regarding its acute and chronic complications [Fulminant hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Hepatic neoplasm], vaccination could be helpful in thalassemia patients. Immune suppression due to frequent blood transfusion iron blood persistent hemolytic, decreased anti-HBS-Ab level after HBV vaccination. This descriptive study was performed in South Khorasan in 2007 on 38 patients with major thalassemia. All patients have received Hepatitis B vaccine. A questionnaire containing some questions about demographic characteristics was filed for all patients including: age, sex, frequency of blood transfusion in year. The blood samples of patients were tested to detect serum markers including HBS Ag, anti-HBS with ELISA method. The results were analyzed by using SPSS. Of 38 patients with major thalassemia, 20 [52.6%] were male and 18 [47.4%] were female. Average age of patients was 9.2 +/- 4.6. 37 patients [97.4%] have transfusion >12 time in year. All of patients were negative for HBS Ag and anti-HBC. 16 patients [42.1%] was anti-HBS Ab positive and 22 patients [57.9%] was anti-HBS-Ab negative. Based on the Serum levels of anti HBS-Ab, subjects were categorized as: Good responder [anti HBS> 100 IU/lit] [34.2%] Low responder [anti-HBS 10-100 IU/lit] [23.7%] Non responder [anti-HBS < 10 IU/lit] [42.1%]. 34/2% of patients that over 5 years lapsed since last vaccine injection were responders. Statistical analysis has not shown significant relationship between age, sex and anti-HBS-Ab [p> 0.05] and time lapsed since last vaccination in two groups [p> 0.05]. Immune response in children with thalassemia major lower than normal children and we recommended determining the antibody level after the last vaccination and if necessary, booster dose gives them

[Pattern of total antioxidant capacity in human milk during the course of lactation]

In addition to numerous nutrients, human milk contains several antioxidants as bioactive components protecting newborns from a hyperoxic challenge due to transition to an environment much richer in oxygen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of total antioxidant capacity of human milk during the first six months of lactation. 535 milk samples were collected from 145 healthy women with full term newborns. Analyses included colostrum [at 2 +/- 1 day postpartum], transitional milk [at 7 +/- 3 days postpartum] and mature milk [at 30 +/- 5, 90 +/- 7 and 180 +/- 10 days postpartum] and also maternal plasma at 90 +/- 7 days. The total antioxidant capacity of samples was measured by Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power [FRAP] assay. Colostrum showed a significant higher antioxidant capacity than the transitional and mature milks [589.8 +/- 278.1 vs. 508.5 +/- 284.1, 453.5 +/- 210.8, 479.3 +/- 254.3 and 402.6 +/- 168.0 micro mol/l respectively]. Also a significant decrease in antioxidant capacity was observed in the mature milks [p<0.05]. The relationship between the antioxidant content of breast milk and maternal plasma was significant too [p<0.05, r=0.267]. These data suggest that colostrum, with high antioxidant capacity, during the first days of life is vital; moreover, reduction in total antioxidant capacity during the course of lactation is notable and requires sophisticated measures

Changes in risk factors, medical care and rate of acute myocardial infarctions in Birjand [1994-1003]

Acute Myocardial Infarction [AMI] is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in developing and underdeveloped countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the trend of AMI risk factors in the city of Birjand, Iran, between 1994 and 2003. This cross-sectional study was based on the medical records of patients hospitalized due to AMI from 1994 to 2003 in Birjand hospitals. The medical records of the selected patients were summarized by two trained nurses. Information was obtained on the patients' age, sex, risk factors, medical history, cardiac enzyme levels and therapy. The data were analyzed with t-test and chi-square test at alpha = 0.05 using SPSS. 918 patients were hospitalized for AMI between 1994 and 2003 in Birjand hospitals. In this study, 319 patients [34.7%] had no risk factors and others had at least one risk factor. The prevalence of all risk factors had increased, but the increase in the prevalence of dyslipidemia [18.2%, 30.1%, P<0.001] and smoking [18.2%, 23.5%, P=0.03] was statistically significant during ten years of the study. In light of evidence showing the rising trend of cardiovascular risk factors, designing interventional program for reducing these risk factors is essential