Evaluation of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields and Their Probable Relationship with Hematological Changes among Operators in Heavy Metal Industry

Introduction: It is important that biological and health effects from the induction of currents and fields in the body by extremely low frequency (ELF) fields are fully explored to determine the effects produced at the molecular, cellular and organ levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the intensity of ELF electromagnetic fields and its probable relationship with hematological changes among operators in a heavy metal industry site. This is a case study. In the present study, 205 workers exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) were working in four categories: (1) induction furnace workers, (2) induction hardening workers, (3) welders, (4) computer operators. Material and Methods: A variety of methods for exposure assessment have been devised and applied to epidemiological studies of the effects of EMF in occupational settings. The methods range from rather crude job-classification methods, to sophisticated job-exposure matrix (JEM) modeling based on personal exposure measurements and reconstruction of past exposure. Monitoring procedures were carried out to measure the levels of exposure to ELF electric and magnetic fields. The strength of the electric and magnetic fields were measured by a dosimetric method (NIOSH 203).Workers’ blood samples were collected and analyzed for identifying different blood parameters. The results of hematological changes of workers in their medical files were also used for evaluation. Results: Measurements showed a high strength of ELF field at the induction furnace workplace. Total electric field ranged from 2.3 to 2452.3 V/M and magnetic field from 1 to 325.1 μT. In other workshops including induction hardening, total electric field ranged from 2.45 to 68.5 V/M, magnetic field from 1.3 to 20.4 μT, total electric field from 1.02 to 11.23 V/M, magnetic field from 0.12 to 3.25 μT in the welding department and finally for computer operators this range was 20.1 to 186.2 V/M for electric field and 0.07 to 0.25 μT for magnetic field. Conclusion: Mean value of WBC and MCV increased significantly among exposed induction furnace workers group (P < 0.05), but RBC decreased. Mean value of WBC, MCHC and MCV increased significantly among the exposed induction hardening workers group (P < 0.05), but RBC and Hgb decreased. Mean value of WBC, MCV and Hgb increased significantly among the exposed welders group (P < 0.05), but Hgb in relation with age decreased. Mean value of RBC and MCH decreased significantly among exposed computer operators group (P < 0.05)

Thyroid autoantibodies in euthyroid women with recurrent abortions and infertility

Background: Evidences suggest an association between the prevalence of thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) with recurrent abortions and infertility. Iodine deficiency was once endemic in Iran and little data is available about the prevalence of these antibodies in different groups of fertile or infertile individuals. Objective: This case control study was designed to compare the presence of anti-TPO and anti-Tg in four groups of women to reveal their role in the etiology of recurrent abortion and infertility. Materials and Methods: Four groups of euthyroid women referring to Avicenna Infertility Clinic in Tehran were selected; 95 cases as fertile controls and 70, 78 and 137 cases with male and female factor infertility and recurrent abortion respectively. TSH, anti-TPO and anti-Tg were evaluated by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Results: The prevalence of the above mentioned autoantibodies in euthyroid controls was about 25% and the percentage of people with an anti-Tg >500 was two times bigger in the abortion group compared to the control group (p500 in younger cases in the abortion group was significantly higher than the rest of the cases (p<0.05). Anti-TPO distribution had no significant differences. Conclusion: There were no statistically significant differences among four groups. It seems that more comprehensive studies are needed to reach a common conclusion about thyroid autoantibodies in women with recurrent abortions in different groups and different parts of Iran. In addition, dividing the recurrent abortion and infertility groups on the basis of their etiologies could be effective

Repeated IVF/ICSI-ETs failures and impact of hysteroscopy

Background: Despite numerous developments in the field of assisted reproduction, the implantation rate remains low. Among the various reasons of implantation failure, endometrial regularity has an important role. Hysteroscopy is an accurate method for evaluating the endometrial characteristics, with the ability to treat uterine pathology. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the findings on hysteroscopy and thereafter the result of subsequent IVF/ICSI in infertile women with the history of frequent unexplained and unsuccessful IVF/ICSI attempts. Materials and Methods: In this observational study, the hysteroscopy findings and the outcomes of subsequent IVF/ICSI were evaluated in 89 infertile women admitted in Avicenna Infertility Clinic, with previous repeated (more than two) failed IVF/ICSIETs, including the patients with normal Hysterosalpinography (HSG) and excluding severe male factor infertility and also thrombophilia, genetic and immunologic problems. The data were analyzed with SPSS software and Fisher exact, chi-square, and MC-Nemar tests. Results: In 53 (59.5%) cases, hysteroscopy revealed abnormal intrauterine findings including adhesions 7 (13.7%), single polyp 11 (20.7%), endometrial polyposis 10 (18.8%), endometrial hyperplasia 10 (18.8%), uterine cavity hypoplasia 4 (7.8%) and myoma 5 (9.8%). These abnormalities were significantly higher in women with more than 8 years of infertility (chi-square=4.7, p-value=0.03). After hysteroscopy and subsequent IVF/ICSI-ET attempt using standard long protocol, pregnancy rate were significantly higher compared with the previous repeated IVF/ICSI attempts (35.8% versus 0%). Conclusion: According to this study, we strongly suggest evaluation of endometrial integrity by hysteroscopy in patients with repeated IVF/ICSI-ETs failure, before entering any other fertilization procedures

The positive association between number of children and obesity in Iranian women and men: Results from the National Health Survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To date, few studies have assessed the association between the number of children and obesity in couples. We aimed to investigate this association in men and women aged 20–75 years.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data from the National Health Survey were considered in this investigation. It included 2728 women and men (1364 couples) aged 20–75 years. Height and weight were actually measured rather than self-reported. A generalized estimating equation model was used to estimate the odds of obesity (body mass index (BMI ≥ 30)) as a function of the number of children adjusted for age, sex, education, economic index, workforce, smoking and place of residence.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We infer that each additional child has at least 5% and at most 34% increase in the odds of obesity in men and at least 4% and at most 29% increase in the odds of obesity in women. Our test of interaction by sex showed that the association between the number of children and obesity was not different among men and women. Among women, factors that increased obesity included age, low education, having more children, being inactive workforce and being nonsmoker. Among men, these factors included high economic index, low education, having more children, and being nonsmoker.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results show an association between the number of children and obesity among men. We would recommend interventions to reduce the number of children to prevent obesity in men.</p