[Income inequality and population health: evidence from panel data]

The relationship between population health and income inequality has attracted much attention during the last two decades. But the question on which there is no consensus is that whether fluctuations in economic inequality would lead to changes in population health indices. In response to this question, life expectancy and mortality rate as health indicators and Gini coefficient of inequality were used. A cross sectional data was used to survey the relationship between income inequality and population health over a period of 12 years [1995-2007] in 125 countries. There was no significant relationship between inequality and population health when panel data method was used and the heterogeneity and unobservable differences among countries in the form of fixed effects were considered. An income increase would enhance life expectancy and decrease mortality rate. Contrary to the findings of many studies using time series data, it appears that there is no significant relationship between inequality and health indicators

[Prevalence of osteoporosis in rural men of Fars based on both local and WHO reference data]

Recently osteoporosis [OP] has emerged as a basic public health problem. It is characterized by low bone mass with micro architectural destruction of bone, resulting in increased bone fractures, morbidity and mortality. To evaluate the prevalence of OP using the local reference data of rural males of Fars and to compare it with WHO criteria, a total of 263 male adults, aged between 2-94 yrs, participated in this cross-sectional study. Bone Mineral Density [BMD] was measured by DXA. We utilized a fit curve method to determine the best age range over which to calculate Peak Bone Mass [PBM] and we used regression analysis for association of OP with age and Body mass index [BMI]. PBM was observed at the age range of 20-24 years, at the various sites. The prevalence of OP increased with age. It was negatively correlated with BMI and varied dramatically based on local versus WHO criteria. Based on local criteria, prevalence of OP in the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total femur were 3.8%, 24.8% and 14.8%, respectively, and based on WHO criteria, they were 10%, 6.1% and 24%, respectively. Using local or WHO reference values for evaluation of OP may yield different prevalences. Therefore prospective fracture studies in correlation with the two above reference values are recommended

Effect of cumin essential oil on postharvest decay and some quality factors of strawberry

An essential oil is a liquid that is generally distified from the leaves, stems, flowers or other elements of a plant. Cumin [Cuminum cyminum L.] Essential Oil [CEO] was analyzed to determine oil component. Antifungal effect of CEO was determined by in vitro technique. In second stage, effect of different concentrations of CEO by PDM on postharvest life of strawberry [Fragaria x ananassa Duch.] fruit, cultivar Selva, was studied. Antifungal effect of CEO was carried out with Paper Disk Method [PDM] and Solution Method [SM]. In second stage Fruits were infected artificially by Botrytis cinerea spore. I and then treated by different concentration of CEO. The rate of weight loss, fruit firmness, Total Soluble solids [TSS], titrable acidity, pH, ascorbic acid and color of fruits were determined at 0,3. 6, 9, 12 and 15 days after the beginning of storage. The degree of infection on fruit was rated using a scale of 0 to 8, Fruit surface color was measured by Chromameter [CR 400, Minolta], TA by titration method, ascorbic acid content by iodometric method TSS content [Brix°] by refractometer and pH by pH meter. PDM was effective as antifungal. Storage life of the strawberry fruits was increased by the use of CEO significantly, by inhibition of fungal infection compared to controls. No significant fruit firmness, total soluble solids were observed in treated fruits compared to controls at all determination times. CEO treated fruit maintained higher Lö arabic five pointed star at 3 and 6 day in compare with control. Titrable acidity, pH and ascorbic acid were significant in some stages. Results of present paper confirmed antifungal effect of CEO in both in vitro and on fruit postharvest. However, more studies are required to recommendation of CEO as a commercial and natural antifungal for increase postharvest on horticultural crops

serological study of influenza subtype A/H9N2 by ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition among the poultry workers in Ahwaz, Iran [2003-4]

Background and Purpose: Type a influenza virus causes infection in man, avian and primates. It has recently been reported that avian H5N1 and H9N2 subtypes were transferred to man. The purpose of the study is, therefore, to investigate the probability of H9N2 transmission from poultry to people engaged in poultry farming industries

Methods and material: In this study, serological tests were carried out on 100 blood samples of contacted cases and special antibody of H9N2 subtype was measured by hemagglutination inhibition. Also, the sensitivity and specificity of the prepared ELISA test kit were measured in comparison with the standard method of hemagglutination inhibition. Out of 100 HI tests, 45 cases were normally selected and measured by ELISA

Results: 66 percent of contacted cases had the specific H9N2 antibody. ELISA specificity and sensitivity, in comparison with HI, were 20% and 87.5% respectively

Conclusion: The Presence of H9N2 antibody in the subject's serum suggest the prevalence of H9N2 virus among poultry, its transfer to people exposed and the possibility of their infection. Also, diagnosis influenza H9N2 antibody

[Hepatitis B "e" antigen [HBeAg] status and its relation to transaminase level in patients chronically infected with hepatitis B surface antigen [HB5Ag] in southwestern Iran [1999-2001]]

Background: There is a wide variation in the frequency of HBeAg among HBsAg infected patients in the world with possible prognostic significance

Patients and Methods: In this prospective study, three-hundred and seven patients who were found to be HBsAg positive either during a blood donation or incidentally in a routine check-up, were evaluated by testing HBeAg, HBeAb, serum alanine transaminase [ALT] and serum alfa-fetoprotein. Liver ultrasound was performed in all patients. Patients were then divided into two groups: Group A [HBeAg positive] and Group B [HBeAg negative]. The correlation of this viral marker [HBeAg] with a necroinflammatory index [ALT] was evaluated

Results: HBeAg was positive in 50 cases [16.3%] and its antibody [HBeAb] was detected in the remaining 257 patients [83.7%]. Serum ALT was abnormal [>2.5 times the normal level] in 16 [32%] of HBeAg positive and 39 [15] of HBeAg negative cases. Among 55 patients with an increase in ALT, 16 [29%] cases were positive for HBeAg while 39 [71%] patients were HBeAg negative. The rate of HBeAg in patients with a normal enzyme level was 13.5% [34 out of 252]

Conclusion: The rate of HBeAg negativity among chronic HBsAg infected patients in our area [southwestern Iran] is in the range reported from other parts of the world: Additionally, HBeAg has a positive correlation with the level of ALT

Living-related liver trasplantation in children: the Shiraz experience

The liver transplantation program was established at Shiraz Nemazee Hospital in 1993. Shortage of cadaver organ supply due to various social and legal issues urged us to develop a living-related liver transplantation [LRLT] program. So far 7 [6 males, 1 female] living-related liver transplantations have been performed at this center. The mean age of patients was 8.21 years [ +/- 4.16], with a range of 4.5 to 14 years. Live donors [3 mothers, 2 fathers, and 1 brother] with a mean age of 30.83 years [ +/- 4.11] underwent procurement of the left lateral segment without mortality or any serious morbidity. The native liver disease was idiopathic cirrhosis [1 case], biliary atresia [3 cases], Budd-Chiari syndrome [1 case], neonatal cirrhosis [1 case], and cryptogenic cirrhosis [1 case]. Allografts were implanted using piggy-back surgical technique. Baseline immunosuppression consisted of a triple drug regimen including cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids. Acute graft rejection was treated with intra-venous bolus of methyl-prednisolone. Early death occurred in 2 patients due to vascular thrombosis. Biliary complication was observed in 1 patient. Five patients are alive with a normal functioning liver. In conclusion, LRLT program is promising in Iran. It can help to overcome the shortage of organs and minimize the mortality of patients in the waiting list