Fast food consumption and overweight/obesity prevalence in students and its association with general and abdominal obesity.

Nowadays, the prevalence of both fast food consumption and overweight/obesity has been increased. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of fast food consumption and to assess its association with abdominal and general obesity. In an analytical cross-sectional study, 300 students were selected randomly from two largest universities in Qom, center of Iran, studying in medical and basic sciences fields in 2015. Data collection was conducted by a modified version of NELSON's fast food questionnaire and anthropometric measures including Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) and Body Mass Index (BMI). Chi-square, independent t-test, and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. According to our results, 72.4% (67.4% in females vs 80.7% in males) had at least one type of fast food consumption in the recent month including sandwich 44.4%, pizza 39.7%, and fried chicken 13.8%, The obesity prevalence based on BMI and WHR was 21.3% (95% CI: 19.4, 23.2%) and 33.2% (95% CI: 0.7, 35.7), respectively. Fast food consumption was related to abdominal obesity as WHR (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.26), but was not related to general obesity as BMI (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.63, 1.52). The prevalence of fast food consumption and obesity/overweight in Iranian student is high. Fast food consumption was associated with abdominal obesity based WHR, but did not related to general obesity based on BMI.

Impact comparison of ketamine and sodium thiopental on anesthesia during electroconvulsive therapy in major depression patients with drug-resistant; a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the available and the most effective therapies for the treatment of resistant depression. Considering the crucial role of seizure duration on therapeutic response in patients treated with ECT, this study aimed to compare the effect of ketamine and sodium thiopental anesthesia during ECT for treatment of patients with drug-resistant major depression (DRMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a double-blind randomized clinical trial, 160 patients with DRMD were selected consequently and were assigned randomly into two groups including ketamine 0.8 mg/kg and sodium thiopental 1.5 mg/kg. The seizure duration, recovery time, and the side effects of anesthesia were evaluated after 1-h after anesthesia. Data of recovery time and complication collected in 2 nd , 4 th , 6 th , and 8 th ECT. Depression was assessed by Hamilton depression scale. RESULTS: The results indicated that ketamine and sodium thiopental had a significant effect on the reduction of depression scores in patients with DRMD (P < 0.05). Complications such as a headache, nausea, pain at the injection site, short-term delirium, and long-term delirium were higher in ketamine group (P > 0.05). But ketamine was more effective in improvement of depression score and increasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05). The mean of seizure duration showed a decreasing trend and was significant between two study groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Anesthesia induced by ketamine during ECT therapy increased blood pressure and seizure duration. Therefore, due to lower medical complication and attack rate of seizure, ketamine is an appropriate option for anesthesia with ECT in patients with DRMD.

Seasonal variation in exposure level of types a and B ultraviolet radiation: an environmental skin carcinogen.

BACKGROUND: The main source of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the sun, affecting organs such as the skin, eyes, and immune system. According to American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH) reports, the amount of UVR reaching the Earth's surface is increasing yearly and is responsible for an increase in solar radiation-related diseases. AIMS: To investigate the amount of UVR reaching the Earth's surface and understand the risk of UVR on disease among outdoor laborers in one of the central provinces of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Arak city was divided into two geographic areas, and the weekly measurement of UVR was done in three locations) asphalt, grass and rooftop). To measure UVR, Hanger UV spectrometer, standard deviation (SD8-A), and SD8-B detectors were used. Amounts of UVR for a consecutive year and varying weather conditions were measured. Finally, values obtained were compared to ACGIH standards. RESULTS: The minimum and maximum levels of UV type A radiation occurred in April 1.27 (0.724) W/m(2) and September 7.147 (4.128) W/m(2), these figures for UV type B were in March-April 0.005 (0.003) and September 0.083 (0.077). The maximum UVR is received between 11 and 15 o'clock. CONCLUSIONS: In the central cities of Iran, the minimum and maximum UV type A and B is received in March-April and in September, respectively. Based on the results, the angular position of the sun in the sky, cloud cover, and height from ground level affected the amount of UVR received, but the geographic locations studied did not.

Hematologic, liver enzymes and electrolytes changes in chronic myeloid leukemia after Imatinib medication.

BACKGROUND: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), is the first malignancy that related to the chromosomal abnormality and include 15-20% of all adulthood leukemia. AIMS: This study aimed to compare the hematologic, breakpoint cluster region-abelson (BCR-ABL) and liver function enzymes changes during treatment period of Imatinib. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A noncurrent clinical trial study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New incident CML patients received Iranian made or Indian-made Imatinib after baseline measurement. Hematologic, BCR-ABL, electrolytes and liver function enzymes measured again after 24 weeks. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Paired t-test and independent t-test was used to assess the effect of treatment in within and between groups, respectively. RESULTS: Imatinib has a decreasing impact on white blood cells and placates. While an increasing effect on hemoglobin concentration. Iranian made and Indian-made Imatinib has a same effect on improvement of hematologic, BCR-ABL, electrolytes in CML patients. However, the liver changes of Imatinib were not clinically significant. CONCLUSION: The Iranian-made Imatinib can be used as a replacement for Indian made ones without any statistical and clinical significant difference on Improvement of CML patients.

A comparative study of nutritional status and foodstuffs in adolescent girls in iran.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents is increasing world-wide. Obesity in children and adolescents is a major risk factor for diabetes, heart diseases, hypertension, and cancer in adulthood. AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the nutritional status and food-stuffs among high-school girls in Arak, Iran, in matter of body mass index (BMI) and associated factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 278 adolescents was conducted in six randomly chosen high-schools. Height and weight of students were collected using standard methods and the BMI calculated and BMI percentiles of these girls are compared with the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reference data. The 5(th), 8(th), and 95(th) percentiles of the CDC were adopted as cut-off points for underweight, overweight and obese girls, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS by analysis of variance and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: On the basis of CDC, the overall prevalence rates of underweight, overweight, and obesity were estimated 10.1% (28/278), 12.9% (36/278), and 1.4% (4/278), respectively. There was no significant difference between nutritional knowledge scores and the rate of physical activities in various groups. The mean age at menarche was significantly higher among the obese girls (P = 0.02). Consumption of ice-cream and chocolate was significantly higher in the obese girls group (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: According to the present study, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in high-school girls of Arak is lower than that of many other parts of Iran and some neighboring countries, which are at the high-risk of overweight and obesity. This study warrants the necessity of paying attention to promote healthy life-style and weight control. The earlier age of menarche is alarming.

Decomposition of inequity determinants of healthcare utilization, Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and decompose the determinants of healthcare utilization in a central province in Iran. STUDY SETTING: Data from 2711 individuals were gathered through interview in a cross-sectional study in Markazi province, Iran, as part of the Healthcare Utilization Survey in 2008. METHODS: The household economic index (HEI) was created using principal component analysis, and data were analyzed according to the type of healthcare utilization. In addition, the generalized estimation equation model was used to identify the determinants, and the concentration index was calculated and decomposed based on the healthcare utilization determinants. RESULTS: HEI was a fixed determinant for all three types of healthcare utilization (general physician, specialist and health worker); however, other determinants changed with the type of health care. The greatest contributors to inequity in the use of general physician, specialist and health worker care were HEI quintile (41.4%), housewife/retired (32.8%) and living in an urban area (47%), respectively. The concentration index was highest for specialist care and lowest for health worker care. CONCLUSION: The pattern of utilization differed between the types of health care. Nevertheless, inequity in healthcare utilization is related to government health policies, including the role of the system in reducing inequity by application of policies such as the family physician and rural insurance programme; and factors which are beyond the health system authorities, and are related to population living standards and need intersectoral cooperation.

Fetal macrosomia: risk factors, maternal, and perinatal outcome.

BACKGROUND: Macrosomia is defined as birth-weight over 4,000 g irrespective of gestational age and affects 3-15% of all pregnancies. Aim The present study aimed to determine the relationship between mother's characteristics and macrosomic births and also compare macrosomic and normal newborns regarding the maternal and offspring complications of diabetes during pregnancy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this case control study, among the 420 consecutive births occurring in public and private hospitals of Shiraz, Iran from October 2006 to March 2007, the data of 32 macrosomic and 128 normal newborns were analyzed using t-test and chi square in bivariate and logistic regression in multivariate model. RESULTS: The mean (SD) of neonate weight, height, and head size was 3323.4 (709), 48.95 (3.2), and 34.9 (1.8), respectively. Regression analysis showed that gestational diabetes (Odds Ratio (OR): 11.9, Confidence Interval (CI): 4.6-30.3), preeclampsia in the pregnancy period due to diabetes (OR: 3.81, CI: 1.1-13.2), and macrosomic birth history (OR: 3.3, CI: 1.04-10.4) were the main predictors of macrosomia. Moreover, macrosomia increased neonate hypoglycemia (OR: 4.7, CI: 1.4-15.8) and section delivery (OR: 4.1, CI: 1.27-13.1). CONCLUSION: Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia due to diabetes, and history of macrosomic birth were the main predictors of macrosomia. Moreover, macrosomia increased some delivery complications for both mothers and newborns.

Comparison the effects of two educational methods on knowledge, attitude and practices of Arak physicians about breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common and most preventable cancer in women and early detection has the important role in reducing its morbidity and mortality, so increase 95% survival time. The present study conducted to compare the effects of two educational methods on knowledge, attitude and practices of Arak physicians. An interventional study after randomized allocation of each 64 physician to any of two different educational methods (video and systematic review) used to compare knowledge; attitude and practices score variation about breast cancer screening skills. Data collection carried out with structured questionnaire and entered to SPSS software. Data analyzed by t-test, paired t-test and Man-Whitney test in significant level of 0.05. Mean of total score of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) showed a significant difference before and after training and the total score of KAP increase (p < 0.05). But KAP score variation and their subscales were same in two groups and didn't show any significant difference (p > 0.05). Although KAP in Arak physician is appropriate and any educational program increase their KAP level, but continuing and repetition of educational courses seems to be necessary.