Prevalence of Bacterial Meningitis in Children with Apparent Febrile Convulsion

Background: As a pediatric emergency, febrile convulsion is the most common form of seizure in children in the age range of four months to five years. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of bacterial meningitis among children with simple febrile convulsion. Methods: In this retrospective study, all children aged 6 to 18 months presenting with the first episodes of simple febrile convulsions admitted to Dr. Sheikh and Imam Reza Pediatric Hospitals in Mashhad between 2011 and 2015 were tested for cerebrospinal fluid. Analysis of Age, Gender, cerebrospinal fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid culture was recorded. Results: From among 1,164 patients, 305 children were enrolled in this study. Out of them, 16 patients (5.2%) reported positive Lumbar Puncture outcomes, one (6.3%) of whom was less than one year old, and 15 (93.7 percent) were more than one year old. Six of these patients had received the MMR vaccine one to three weeks before admission. One of the patients who tested positive for Lumbar Puncture and had a negative cerebrospinal fluid culture was admitted to the hospital with personal consent. Aseptic meningitis was diagnosed with non-positive culture in the other nine patients. No bacterial meningitis was confirmed between the evaluated patients. Conclusion: It is confirmed that the incidence of bacterial meningitis in simple febrile convulsion is very low. Therefore, the results may recommend avoiding routine Lumbar Punctures in patients with simple febrile convulsion

Can current supply figures support the nutritional recommendation of fish consumption in Iran?

   "Fish consumption twice per week" recommendation has been adopted in many countries, including Iran, by Nutrition experts. Data derived from food balance sheets (FBSs) and national household food consumption surveys (NHFCSs) show that fish consumption has been increased in the last 20 years in Iran. The gap between supply and recommendation figures in order to analyze the feasibility of this policy however needs to be determined. In this study, we took current figures of fish supply and consumption in Iran and calculated the amount of fish needed to support the recommendation of fish consumption. Data obtained from FAOSTAT-FBSs in 1980-82, 1990-92 and 2000-02, and NHFCS reports in 1992-95 and 2001-03. Fish supplies needed to fulfill the nutritional policy were calculated based on 120 and 180 gr/caput/wk scenarios. Sharp increase happened in the average fish supply from 1980s to 1990s, but slowed down afterwards. In early 2000, fish availability and intake were 4.73 and 4.43 kg (as raw-whole fish)/capita/year, respectively. The amount of fish required to fulfill the recommendation were however calculated as 10.97 and 16.43 kg/caput/yr based on the two scenarios, respectively. This study reveals that the gap between present fish consumption and the amounts for nutritional goal is still big. Whether bridging this gap in terms of feasibility, ecological, environmental and logistical burdens is attainable, needs more evaluation. Nutrition educators should be aware of the effects of their campaigns on the nationwide food policy as well as on issues such as consumer demand, prices, and environment.

Can current supply figures support the nutritional recommendation of fish consumption in Iran? A case-study of the challenges in front of a nutrition policy

ABSTRACT "Fish consumption twice per week" recommendation has been adopted in many countries, including Iran, by Nutrition experts. Data derived from food balance sheets (FBSs) and national household food consumption surveys (NHFCSs) show that fish consumption has been increased in the last 20 years in Iran. The gap between supply and recommendation figures in order to analyze the feasibility of this policy however needs to be determined. In this study, we took current figures of fish supply and consumption in Iran and calculated the amount of fish needed to support the recommendation of fish consumption. Data obtained from FAOSTAT-FBSs in 1980-82, 1990-92 and 2000-02, and NHFCS reports in 1992-95 and 2001. Fish supplies needed to fulfill the nutritional policy were calculated based on 120 and 180 gr/caput/wk scenarios. Sharp increase happened in the average fish supply from 1980s to 1990s, but slowed down afterwards. In early 2000, fish availability and intake were 4.73 and 4.43 kg (as raw-whole fish)/capita/year, respectively. The amount of fish required to fulfill the recommendation were however calculated as 10.97 and 16.43 kg/caput/yr based on the two scenarios, respectively. This study reveals that the gap between present fish consumption and the amounts for nutritional goal is still big. Whether bridging this gap in terms of feasibility, ecological, environmental and logistical burdens is attainable, needs more evaluation. Nutrition educators should be aware of the effects of their campaigns on the nationwide food policy as well as on issues such as consumer demand, prices, and environment

Can Current Supply Figures Support the Nutritional Recommendation of Fish Consumption in Iran? A Case-Study of the Challenges in Front of A Nutrition Policy

"Fish consumption twice per week" recommendation has been adopted in many countries, including Iran, by Nutrition experts. Data derived from food balance sheets (FBSs) and national household food consumption surveys (NHFCSs) show that fish consumption has been increased in the last 20 years in Iran. The gap between supply and recommendation figures in order to analyze the feasibility of this policy however needs to be determined. In this study, we took current figures of fish supply and consumption in Iran and calculated the amount of fish needed to support the recommendation of fish consumption. Data obtained from FAOSTATFBSs in 1980-82, 1990-92 and 2000-02, and NHFCS reports in 1992-95 and 2001-03. Fish supplies needed to fulfill the nutritional policy were calculated based on 120 and 180 gr/caput/wk scenarios. Sharp increase happened in the average fish supply from 1980s to 1990s, but slowed down afterwards. In early 2000, fish availability and intake were 4.73 and 4.43 kg (as raw-whole fish)/capita/year, respectively. The amount of fish required to fulfill the recommendation were however calculated as 10.97 and 16.43 kg/caput/yr based on the two scenarios, respectively. This study reveals that the gap between present fish consumption and the amounts for nutritional goal is still big. Whether bridging this gap in terms of feasibility, ecological, environmental and logistical burdens is attainable, needs more evaluation. Nutrition educators should be aware of the effects of their campaigns on the nationwide food policy as well as on issues such as consumer demand, prices, and environment.Keywords: Fish and Aquaculture Sectors Development, Fisheries Economic

Nonfamilial cherubism in a 6-month-old infant: a case report

Abstract Background Cherubism is known as a very rare autosomal dominant familial disorder of childhood caused by a mutation in the SH3BP2 gene on 4p16.3. It has not yet been observed at birth and is usually diagnosed in children aged 2–7. Here, we present a non-hereditary case of cherubism at a very early age. Case presentation A 6-month-old girl presented with bilateral progressive jaw enlargement. On physical examination, bilateral asymmetrical jaw enlargement, predominantly on the left side, and some enlarged, non-tender, mobile submandibular lymph nodes were detected. No other abnormality was observed. Further investigations with radiology suggested cherubism and Burkitt’s lymphoma as differential diagnoses. Later on, histopathologic evaluations were suggestive of cherubism. No surgical interventions were indicated, and the child is on regular follow-ups. Conclusion Non-hereditary Cherubism, despite scarcity, can present in children below two years of age, even as early as the beginning of primary dentition. Accurate and swift diagnosis is essential to avert physical and psychological complications. Our case report shows the importance of keeping cherubism in mind as a differential diagnosis of bone disease, even in children under a year old, and the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in dealing with rare genetic disorders

Evaluation of Iranian Household\'s Diet in terms of Calcium and Iron Density in the Seven Provinces of Iran

Background: Imbalanced diet, as it may cause micronutrient malnutrition has been known as a causal factor for several chronic diseases. Several studies in Iran have shown that some micro-nutrient deficiencies are prevalent and of high concern. Minerals such as calcium and iron can supply physical and mental health as well as survival, and growth development. In this study, Nutrient density analysis was used to display Iranian households' diet quality. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the diet quality of seven provinces, namely Eastern Azarbaijan, Isfahan, Tehran, Khorasan, Khouzestan, Sistan Balochestan and Fars was assessed in terms of calcium and iron. To do so, the data were obtained through national household food consumption survey conducted by National Nutrition & Food Technology Research Institute, 2000-02, in Iran. Results: Generally, 80% of households' calcium density was less than the standard value and this rate was 40-70% for iron. Index of nutrition quality (INQ) for calcium and iron were respectively almost 1/2 and 1/3 of requirements in all provinces. Conclusions: There were significant differences in calcium intake density between the rural and urban households however; there were no differences between the selective provinces and all over the countr

The Preventive Effect of Atorvastatin on Paraquat-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in the Rats

Purpose: Pulmonary fibrosis is a potentially lethal inflammatory disease and there has been no effective medication for this progressive disease up to now. As a model, different therapeutic approaches have been applied for paraquat-induced pulmonary injury and fibrosis. Atorvastatin besides cholesterol-lowering effects possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The current study was designed to investigate the preventive anti-fibrotic effects of atorvastatin on paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Methods: The rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups. Group I, control group (saline), group II received a single oral dose of 20 mg/kg paraquat with no treatment and III, IV and V groups received atorvastatin at the doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg/day orally one week before and three weeks after paraquat administration, respectively. The rats were sacrificed 21 days after paraquat. Lung hydroxyproline and serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined and lung indices and semi-quantitative histopathological changes were evaluated. Results: Paraquat could significantly increase the serum MDA and lung hydroxyproline levels. Elevated content of tissue hydroxyproline and serum levels of malondialdehyde induced by paraquat, attenuated by atorvastatin at the doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg. Furthermore, histopathological findings and the amount of lung indices showed the beneficial preventive role of atorvastatin in rat pulmonary fibrosis induced by paraquat. Conclusion: In conclusion, the present data show that atorvastatin alleviate the toxic effects of paraquat under the experimental circumstances and may be a useful agent in cases who are in contact or poisoned with paraquat

Comparison of the effects of canola oil versus sunflower oil on the biochemical markers of bone metabolism in osteoporosis

Background: Recently, omega-3 fatty acids are in the center of attention for their potent anti-inflammatory effects. Osteoporosis as a chronic senile disease is associated with inflammation, and the role of inflammatory mediators has been demonstrated in the recent years. The beneficial effects of n-3 fatty acids on bone were proven in many animal studies, while to date, no conclusive data is available in human. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of n-3 fatty acids on bone biomarkers in osteoporotic women. Material and Methods: Forty osteoporotic post-menopausal women were recruited in the study and randomized in receiving either 40 g canola oil or the same amount sunflower oil per day as their dietary oil for 3 months. Serum levels of osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), N telo peptide collagen (NTX) and 25- hydroxy vitamin D3 were measured at baseline and at the end of the third month in both groups. Results: In the canola oil group, BALP and NTX were increased after 3 months while Osteocalcin decreased in both groups slightly; however,none of these changes were significant. In both groups, serum vitamin D3 was increased significantly; however, this change between groups was not significant. Conclusion: Canola oil did not affect bone formation and resorption significantly after 3 months consumption. Further investigations with longer follow up are recommended