Relationship of Anemia and Serum Ferritin in Medical Students

Aims: Anemia occurs for different reasons. However the Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is one of the most prevalent causes of anemia in all human communities. The goal of the present study was to assess the effect of serum Ferritin deficiency on anemia in medical students. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on students of Kashan University of Medical Sciences in all educational stages in 2011. 323 students were selected randomly. The hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, ferritin and RDW indices were measured. The data was analyzed by SPSS 13 statistical software using Chi-square and independent T tests. Findings: The mean of ferritin level in all samples was 46.2±42.8ng/ml, hemoglobin was 13.1±1.4g/dl, hematocrit was 39.2±5.2, MCV was 85.4±6.4fl, MCH was 29.2±6.1, MCHC was 32.9±1.3g/dl and RDW was 13.6±0.5g/dl. 62 of studied individuals (19.2) had minor anemia and 261 (80.8) were normal. 31 of studied individuals (9.6) had ferritin deficiency and 292 (90.4) had normal ferritin. There was a significant difference between anemia according to gender (p=0.001) and educational level (p=0.01). Ferritin deficiency had also significant difference according to gender. According to gender, there were significant differences in ferritin, hemoglobin, hematocrit and RDW levels. According to age, there were significant differences between ferritin and hematocrit and RDW levels. MCHC level had significant difference according to living site of the students. Conclusion: Girl university students are at the risk of anemia caused by lack of ferritin and aging increases the risk of anemia

A NOVEL METHOD FOR SYNTHESIS OF METASTABLE TETRAGONAL ZIRCONIA NANOPOWDERS AT LOW TEMPERATURES

Zirconia (ZrO2) nanopowder was synthesized using sucrose and fructose as a chelating agent from zirconium hydroxide. The synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), simultaneously thermal analysis (STA), BET surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The above-experimental results showed that the synthesized powders had particle sizes in the range 40-60 nm and mean crystallite sizes of 7-8 nm. Finally, in this research, chelating agents of sucrose and fructose were compared and the obtained results demonstrated that using fructose, nanopowder of zirconia with tetragonal phase was obtained

Survey of museum beetle (Dermestes sp.) damage to the scorpion collection in the Health Faculty of Kashan University of Medical Sciences

ABSTRACT The result showed that all the drawers containing the scorpion preservation boxes were found damaged by Dermestes sp. Totally, 210 Dermestes larvae were collected. On a average 15 larvae were collected from each drawer. The length of the mature larva was 10-12 mm. The larvae were oval shaped with bodies covered hearly by strands of hair. The incurred damages to the collections were huge because of lack of supervision. Key words : Collection, Dermestes, museum beetle, pest, scorpion

Gastrointestinal complaints in shift-working and day-working nurses in Iran

Background: There is evidence in the scientific literature of the adverse physiological and psychological effects of shift work. The work of nurses in hospitals is connected with shift and night work. Several publications have described gastrointestinal disturbances in shift workers. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of gastrointestinal (GI) complaints of nurses on a rotating shift with that of nurses on a regular day shift.Methods: The study involved 160 nurses (133 working in shifts and at night and 27 working on day shifts) in the Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran. These nurses answered a Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire regarding the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms (including heartburn, regurgitation, constipation, diarrhea and bloating). Positive responses required frequent symptom occurrence in the past 4 weeks. Significance of group differences was assessed by chi-square and Fisher-exact tests.Results: Prevalence of GI symptoms was significantly higher (p = 0.009) in rotating-shift nurses (81.9) than in day-shift nurses (59.2). Irregular meal consumption (p = 0.01) and GI medications (p = 0.002) were all significantly higher among the rotating shift nurses. In both groups, regurgitation was the most common symptom.Conclusion: Nurses on rotating shifts in Iran experience more GI disturbances than do nurses on day shifts. © 2010 Saberi and Moravveji; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

The pattern of exclusive breast feeding in neonates under healthcares in health centers of Kashan city during 2006

Background: Exclusive breast feeding, an important need for infants, can be affected by numerous factors. This study was designed to survey the pattern and period of exclusive breast feeding. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on mothers of 391 newborns at six months of age taking healthcare in health centers of Kashan. The necessary information was recorded and exclusive breast feeding patterns and related factors were determined.Results: Our findings uncovered that the rate of exclusive breast feeding was 33.1. The exclusive breast feeding showed a significant relationship with the mothers' education level (P=0.001), baby weight loss (P=0.046), exclusive breast feeding education (P=0.004), type of delivery (P=0.045), father's job (P=0.012), birth weight (P=0.007) and growing (P=0.002) status. However, sexuality of the neonate, sexual preference by family, bedding room, technique of breast feeding education, mother's job, immaturity and weight not considerably influenced the exclusive breast feeding. Conclusion: Concerning low rate of exclusive breast feeding it seems increased understanding and knowledge of pregnant wemon, mothers, as well as their family, can improve exclusive breast feeding

Occupational and non-occupational risk factors in occupational hand injuries

Background: Hand injuries are the most common bodily traumas sustained at work and are always preventable. Different occupational and non-occupational risk factors may predispose to these grave events identification and modifying them has a critical role in prevention of the accidents. This study was carried out to evaluate the association between these factors and hand injuries. Materials and Methods: In this case control study 82 industrial workers with occupational hand injuries from Tehran nearby factories were compared with eighty-three controls. Working circumstances were assessed using a detailed occupational and non-occupational (individual and socio-psychological factors) questionnaire. Data were analyzed with chi-square and t-test. Results: Rotational shift work (P=0.027), lack of a close relationship between the workers, lack of training, availability and using safety equipments are statistically significant risk factors related to hand injuries (P=0.006). There is no significant relationship between individual and familial factors and hand injuries.Conclusion: Availability of safety equipments and their proper use are the most important preventive factors for hand injury. Lack of close relationship between workers can also be regarded as a significant risk factor

Post-traumatic stress disorder in Kashan and Arak emergency medicine departments' staffs during 2009

Background: Emergency department staffs and emergency medicine personnel in particular are exposed to various occupational stresses (psychological traumas). There is little information about the possibility and rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the emergency medicine personnel in Iran and the world. This study deals with the PTSD prevalence and the influencing factors among the emergency medicine personnel in Kashan and Arak provinces. Materials and Methods: Using a descriptive–analytic study to evaluate the rate of PTSD and psychological trauma intensity, 150 emergency medicine personnel of Arak and Kashan were studied. IES-15, PTSS-10 standard questionnaires and DSM-IV criteria were used for the study. Using SPSS-14 the data was analyzed by Fisher exact test , t-student, ANOVA and Chi square statistical tests. Results: One-hundred out of 150 of participants answered to the questionnaires. Based on DSM-IV, 44 (36.4%) qualified the PTSD diagnostic criteria and considering the IES index one third of the emergency staffs were under the severe effect of event. In addition, 11 (9%) had a PTSS score of ≥5, indicative of a severe reaction to trauma. While there was a significant relationship between the marital status and PTSD (i.e. the single had much of the PTSD criteria), no difference was seen between the sex, education, and type of occupation with PTSD criteria. Conclusion: Based on the study, the rate of PTSD and also the intensity of trauma were high among the emergency medicine personnel. It seems that these individuals are exposed to severe occupational stress and related complications

Pregnancy rate following luteal phase support in Iranian women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: To assess the efficacy of luteal phase support (LPS) using intravaginal progesterone (P) on pregnancy rate in Iranian women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) who used a combination for ovulation induction consisting of letrozole or clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG). Materials and Methods:This was a randomized clinical trial undertaken in a fertility clinic in Kashan, Isfahan Province, Iran. A total of 198 patients completed treatment and follow up. Base on chosen ovulation induction programs, they were divided into two following group: i. CC group (n=98) used a combination consisting of CC (100 mg�5 day) and HMG (150 IU�5 day) and ii. letrozole group (n=100) used a combination consisting of letrozole (5 mg�5 day) and HMG (150 IU�5 day). After human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration (5000 IU), the patients (n=122) who randomly received intravaginal P (Cyclogest, 400 mg daily) were included in LPS group, while the rest (n=123) were included in non-P cycles group. The outcome was the comparison of chemical pregnancy rate between the groups. Results: Our findings showed that LPS was associated with a 10 higher pregnancy rate than in non-P cycles, although this difference did not reach statistical significant (p=0.08). LPS improved pregnancy rate in both CC (4) and letrozole (6) groups. In addition, patients who used letrozole for ovulation induction along with intravaginal P showed higher pregnancy rates than CC group. Conclusion: Administration of vaginal P for LPS may improve the pregnancy rate in women with PCOS using letrozole or CC in combination with HMG for ovulation induction (Registration Number: IRCT201206072967N4). © 2014 Royan Institute (ACECR). All rights reserved

Prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) in employees of Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, summer 2002

Background: Our knowledge of diseases and maladies has been increased during the recent decades. These diseases are related to the presence of people in the buildings which may cause due to varieties of physical, biologic, and chemical (organic or inorgicic) factors. We decided to investigate one of these problems, namely sick building syndrome (SBS) in one of high administrative buildings in Tehran in summer 2002. Materials and methods: It was a descriptive study. All employees working in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development were included. Personal complaints of mental and irritative symptoms were assessed using a combined questionnaire (Questionnaires of CCOHS-2001 and London Center Hazards-1990). The prevalence of SBS of determined and the association between human, environmental and building factors with the occurrence of this phenomenon was clarified. Results: Of 312 employees, 171 were randomly selected. There were 96 males (56.1%) and 75 females (43.9%). The prevalence of SBS was 58.7%. The most prevalent symptoms were fatigue (57.3%) during the past 3 months. The most prevalent irritative symptoms were burning sensation in the eyes and tearing (25.7%). The prevalence of SBS was 46.3% in males and 72% in females (p<0.001). Feeling of low air movement (68.4%), and feeling of airless environment (59.1%, always) were the most common complaints. There was no significant association between SBS and smoking, age, different stages, and duration of employment. Conclusion: The prevalence of SBS is quite high. Disorders of ventilation system are the probable cause