Diabetes mellitus type 2; an international challenge

It is of great importance, especially for adults, to keep track of their blood glucose level regularly. It is clear that lifestyle could have a great impact on whether someone develops diabetes or not. Regular physical exercise, loss of weight and a well-balanced diet can all contribute to the prevention of acquiring diabetes or at least delay the point of time of someone acquiring diabete

Overview of the epidemiologic research: Editorial Guidelines

Epidemiology can be considered as a very old science. For example, John Graunt, a statistician, published Natural and Political Observations. In the Bills of Mortality in 1662, he analyzed the mortality rolls in London before the Great Plague, presented one of the first life tables, and reported time trends for many diseases. He provided statistical evidence for many theories on disease, and challenged some common beliefs about them. Later, a Greek physician Hippocrates was the first person known to have examined the relationships between the disease occurrence and environmental influences. He believed that the cure to the sickness was to remove or add the humor in question to balance the body; he also mentioned the terms endemic (for diseases usually found in some places but not in others) and epidemic (for diseases seen sometimes but not always). Epidemiology could also be considered as a modern science. Dr. John Snow is indeed famous for his investigations about the causes of the 19th century cholera epidemics in London, and is also known as the father of (modern) epidemiology

Addiction: A big challenge of social security in Iran

Due to special conditions of Iran; i.e., neighboring to major centers of drug production in Afghanistan during the last few decades, it was the passageway of the drug to Europe. Moreover, because of appropriate context of social, economic and cultural situations, there was an increased addiction and drug trafficking in Iran. It is obvious that a lot of people would be involved directly and indirectly with drugs; so the drug has become a major problem in Iranian society, especially in the provinces near Afghanistan and Pakistan borders. The reports have indicated an increasing spread of drug addiction in Iran. Addiction among all social classes and occupational groups, age and sex, are raised. In fact, an important part of social problems, directly or indirectly related to drug dependence. Therefore, prevention of addiction as the basis of many diseases is vital priority for Iran. Fair distribution of facilities and services in society and equal opportunities for all members of society can legitimately, step forward in to deal with social ills such as addiction

World kidney day 2014: Kidney disease and elderly

It is believed that there is an increasing rate of chronic kidney disease to end-stage kidney failure. Nowadays, there is an international awareness on the importance of chronic kidney disease as well as declining the frequency and impact of renal disease and its associated health problems worldwide (1). Each year, there is a ceremony on the second Thursday of March in many countries around the world (1). While, the term of acute kidney injury (AKI) was suggested to reflect the wide spectrum of classic acute kidney failure, however, AKI

Divorce: An International Multi-dimensional Challenge

Divorce is one the most important public health problems which may affect many people especially parents, children, and their close relatives. To emphasize the importance of divorce worldwide, the world figures of some countries have been compared. According to transition from a traditional society to an industrial society and modern family, potential problems of divorce would be the most important difficulties of the families. Divorce is the outcome of the most acute and serious communication problems of the family. There are too much reasons for it, including: absence of compatibility and understanding, absence of securing psychic needs, violence, sexual problems, rising housing costs, high unemployment, inflation, immorality, family interference, and so on. Families are recommended to create more moral and mental familiarity situations for girls and boys before marriage, so that they would be able to somehow hinder divorce incidence through knowing each other better

Is Iran threatened by Zika virus?

Zika virus is an Arbovirus identified first time in 1947 in Uganda. Zika epidemic is a threat far greater than the Ebola outbreak. The World Health Organization has urged Asian countries to be vigilant about the risk of spreading Zika virus and preventive measures to control it. In Iran, 64 species of mosquitoes from Culicidea family have been reported three of which belong to the Aedes genus, and one of which is Aedes albopictus. Iran also has suitable climate for endemic transmission of Zika virus. Immigrants from neighboring countries for economic reasons, could increase the risk of disease transmission in Iran. The destination countries of Iranian passengers, especially in East Asia, are at risk or have been reported to have cases of Zika. So, traveling to areas where active Zika virus exists and its transmission is common, could potentially increase the risk of transmission of Zika. Close supervision alongside the borders is necessary when foreign people arrive in the country

Effects of 3-mounth regular consumption of vitamin D-fortified low fat yogurt on quality of life indices in diabetic postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Background and aims: Diabetes affects all physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of patient’s health. Postmenopausal diabetic women are more susceptible due to their crucial conditions. The emotional regulatory role of vitamin D may be because of the existence of its receptors distributed in brain areas involved in emotional processing and affective disorders. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of 3-mounth regular consumption of vitamin D-fortified low fat yogurt on QOL indices in diabetic postmenopausal women. Methods: Fifty nine postmenopausal diabetic women randomly allocated to the ‘FY’ (received vitamin D-fortified low fat yogurt, containing 2000 IU vitamin D in 100 g) or ‘PY’ (received plain low fat yogurt without additive) treatment groups. The quality of life questionnaire SF-36 which is the most widely used method to assess the QOL was used before and after the intervention. Results: After the 3-month intervention, physical performance, vitality, and mental health scores significantly increased and the score of physical pain decreased in the FY group. In the PY group, physical performance, vitality, and emotional role scores significantly decreased. Final scores of physical performance and vitality significantly increased in the FY group compare to the PY group while physical? Conclusion: Three months daily consumption of 2000 IU vitamin D fortified low-fat yogurt improved physical performance, physical pain, and vitality while the other domains of QOL assessments did not show significant changes

The Effect of Twin Birth on Neonatal and Infant Mortality Rates: A Systematic Review

Background and aims: Twin birth may account for higher mortality rates in infants and neonates. To investigate the potential relationship between twin birth and infant and neonatal mortality rates (NMRs), a systematic review was conducted. Methods: To gather the evidence for the relationship between twin birth and its potential effect on mortality during infancy and neonatal periods, a systematic review was conducted. The most important used databases were PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, Cochrane and Springer. Then, the databases were searched by appropriate keywords. After reviewing and evaluating the collected studies, trends in the different countries were compared. Results: A total of 13 790 related studies were found, of which 128 studies were selected in the first step. The studies which were not related to the subject, in addition to repetitive studies, were excluded from the search in the second step based on inclusion and exclusion criteria by reviewing the abstract and, in some cases, the full article. Finally, 7 studies entered the last step. Conclusion: This study showed that the mortality could be higher among twins than among non-twins, especially among boys

Lycopene and kidney; future potential application.

Lycopene is a lipid-soluble antioxidant and has been inversely associated with lipid peroxidation, including low-density lipoprotein oxidation and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, lycopene has a variety of biological activities such as aging prevention, cancer prevention, anti inflammation, and oxidative. Many chronic diseases, such as cardiovas¬cular disease, cancer, diabetes and eye diseas¬es are the result of prolonged oxidative stress. Lycopene could be considered as the most effective antioxidant among the carotenoids. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that offers protection for cellular damage due to reactive oxygen species. Introductio