Diagnostic Value of Hysterosalpingography and Laparoscopy for Tubal Patency in Infertile Women

Background: Tubal occlusion is one of the most frequent causes of infertility in women. The evaluation of the fallopian tube is necessary to determine the management plan for infertility. The two most important diagnostic procedures which are used for the evaluation of tubal patency are hysterosalpingography (HSG) and laparoscopy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare HSG and laparoscopic findings in the diagnosis of tubal patency. Patients and Methods: In a prospective study sixty two infertile cases were examined by HSG as part of their routine infertility evaluation, three months after HSG, tubs status were assessed by laparoscopy as a gold standard method. The findings of HSG and laparoscopy were compared. The Laparoscopy findings were used as reference standard to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for unilateral and bilateral no tubal patency. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of HSG on bilateral tubal patency or no bilateral tubal patency were 92.1% and 85.7% respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 97.2% and 66.7%, and the accuracy was 91.1%. The sensitivity and specificity of HSG for evaluation of the bilateral tubal patency and unilateral or bilateral no tubal patency were 77.8% and 52.94%, the positive and negative predictive values were 81.4% and 47.4% respectively, and the accuracy was 71%. Conclusion: HSG is considered to have a high sensitivity and specificity. HSG and laparoscopy are not alternative, but are the complementary methods in the examination of no tubal patency

The Effect of Short Duration Sperm Exposure on Development of Preeclampsia in Primigravid Women

Background: Preeclampsia is one of the most serious complications, and affecting about 3 of pregnancies. The aim of this study was to estimate the impact short duration of exposure to sperm on development of preeclampsia. Methods: The duration of sperm exposure with the biological father (cohabitation without barrier methods) <3,<6 months were evaluated among 120 primigravid women with preeclampsia and 120 women without preeclampsia in a case-control study. Results: The short duration of exposure to sperm was more common in women with preeclampsia compared with controls (29.2 versus 14.2 for <3 months, adjOR 2.6 (95 CI=1.32-5.13) and (45 versus 29.2 for <6 months, adjOR 2.4 (95 CI=1.35-4.32). Regardless of the contraceptive method, short duration of cohabitation was more common in preeclamptic group (14.2 versus 5.8 for <3 months, adjOR 3.38 (95 CI=1.28-8.92) and (29.7 versus 13.3 for <6 months, adjOR 2.64(95 CI=1.24-5.79). Conclusion: It was concluded that short duration of exposure to sperm was more common in women with preeclampsia compared with controls. © Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

High Redshift Supernovae in the Hubble Deep Field

Two supernovae detected in the Hubble Deep Field using the original December 1995 epoch and data from a shorter (63000 s in F814W) December 1997 visit with HST are discussed. The supernovae (SNe) are both associated with distinct galaxies at redshifts of 0.95 (spectroscopic) from Cohen etal. (1996) and 1.32 (photometric) from the work of Fernandez-Soto, Lanzetta, and Yahil (1998). These redshifts are near, in the case of 0.95, and well beyond for 1.32 the greatest distance reported previously for SNe. We show that our observations are sensitive to SNe to z < 1.8 in either epoch for an event near peak brightness. Detailed simulations are discussed that quantify the level at which false events from our search phase would start to to arise, and the completeness of our search as a function of both SN brightness and host galaxy redshift. The number of Type Ia and Type II SNe expected as a function of redshift in the two HDF epochs are discussed in relation to several published predictions and our own detailed calculations. A mean detection frequency of one SN per epoch for the small HDF area is consistent with expectations from current theory.Comment: 62 pages, 17 figures, ApJ 1999 in pres

The effects of foot reflexology on depression during menopause: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of foot reflexology on depression during menopause. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Gynecology outpatient clinic. Interventions: We enrolled 90 menopausal women with depression. Participants were assigned to the intervention (n = 45) and control (n = 45) groups by block randomization. Participants in the intervention group received 15 min of foot re�exology on each foot for a total of 30 min in evenings, twice a week for six weeks. Participants in the control group received only the routine care for menopause patients. Main outcome measures: The Beck Depression questionnaire was completed by all participants at the beginning of the trial and the end of the intervention and two months after completion of the intervention. Results: A total of 121 patients were assessed for eligibility to participate in the study. One-hundred patients met the criteria to participate, and 90 participants�45 participants in each group�completed the study. In the intervention group, the mean scores of depression before, immediately after, and two months after the study were 26.97 ± 4.47 (95 CI = 25.3�28.3), 22.55 ± 5.18 (95 CI = 20.9�24.1), and 21.20 ± 5.74 (95 CI = 19.4�22.9), respectively. In the control group, these scores were 26.15 ± 5.01 (95 CI = 24.6�27.6), 26.22 ± 5.14 (95 CI = 24.7�27.7), and 26.66 ± 3.87 (95CI = 25.5�27.8), respectively. Using Repeated Measures ANOVA, the comparison of the mean scores of depression in the two groups indicated that the scores were decreased over time. Conclusion: The findings indicated that the foot reflexology technique can be effective for reducing women's depression during menopause. However, considering the study's limitations, including a small sample size and no intervention in the control group, more studies are needed to verify the findings. © 2019 Elsevier Lt

Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Among Premarital Couples: A Need for Future Educational Programs

Background: A significant number of youths have insufficient awareness about sexual health; whereas, correct sexual information is the main factor to prevent adverse consequences. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the sexual knowledge and attitudes in a sample of Iranian premarital couples. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sequential sample of 500 males and females who met the inclusion criteria was selected. This study was conducted in Kashan, Iran. Participants were in the age range of 16 to 40 years referred for premarital testing and educational classes. Two questionnaires containing demographic data and a culturally based sexual knowledge and attitudes scale were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U, analysis of variance and multivariate regression. Results: About 50% of premarital couples had poor sexual knowledge and attitudes. The mean score of total sexual knowledge was 12.45 ± 8.54 out of a possible score of 33; and the mean score of total sexual attitudes was 121.63 ± 14.51 out of a possible score of 170. A significant association existed between the score of sexual knowledge and the level of education (P < 0.01), participants’ age (P < 0.01) and the score of sexual attitudes (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The majority of participants had poor sexual knowledge and attitudes regarding different aspects of sexual health

Effect of Ginger on Relieving Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: Nausea and vomiting are common and unpleasant complications in pregnancy. Although many alternative therapists support the use of ginger for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, there is currently insufficient clinical evidence to support its use in this condition Objectives: The present study was performed to assess the effectiveness of ginger in the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Patients and Methods: This seven-day clinical trial was performed on 120 eligible pregnant women with symptoms of mild to moderate nausea and vomiting before 16 weeks gestation. They were divided into; ginger, placebo and control groups, by block randomization. Women were asked to record their nausea and vomiting for three days, and then participants received either ginger capsules, or a placebo for four days. No intervention was done with the control group. Data measure was self-recorded symptoms according to the Rhodes Index. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, ANCOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, and Fisher’s exact test, for the quantitative and qualitative variables. Results: There were no statistical differences in the baseline demographics between the three groups apart from age of marriage and wanted or unwanted pregnancy. An ANCOVA test (covariance test) showed significant differences in mean scores after the intervention in the three groups (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Ginger was effective for the relief of mild to moderate nausea and vomiting in pregnant women at less than 16 weeks gestation

The Relationship Between Maternal Passive Smoking During Pregnancy and Preterm Delivery

Background: Maternal passive smoking or exposure to environmental tobacco smoke may be a risk factor for maternal and newborn morbidity. Objectives: The current study aimed to assess the relationship between preterm delivery and tobacco smoke exposure in pregnant woman referring to the Shabih-Khani maternity hospital in Kashan, Iran. Patients and Methods: An analytical retrospective cohort study was conducted on 300 non-smoker pregnant women in two groups of passive smoking and non- passive smoking. Passive smoking was defined as exposed to smoking of 5 or more cigarettes per day during pregnancy at home. Preterm delivery compared between passive smoking and non-passive smoking groups. Results: Preterm delivery in the passive smoking group was more than non-passive smoking group (10% versus 6%, P = 0.2), this difference was not significant. Gestational age was similar in the two groups (38.96 ± 1.56 and 38.99 ± 1.42 weeks in the passive and non-passive smoking groups respectively). Conclusions: Preterm delivery in the exposed group was more than non-exposed group, but difference was not significant

Prevalence and Severity of Menopausal Symptoms and Related Factors Among Women 40-60 Years in Kashan, Iran

Background: Menopause is a unique event in a woman’s life which has many symptoms. Frequency and severity of these symptoms vary, and they are based on the woman’s epidemiological characteristics. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and related factors among women, 40-60 years in Kashan, Iran. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 700 menopausal women in Kashan City were selected using cluster sampling. Data were collected by the Menopause Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL). In addition, demographic variables including; current age, age of menarche and menopause, marital status, educational level, working status and exercise activity levels, were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 and socio-demographic characteristics were compared using a chi-square test. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The most common symptoms in; vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual domains were; ‘night sweats’, ‘accomplishing less than I used to’, ‘feeling a lack of energy’, and ‘change in sexual desire’, respectively. Moreover, the most severe symptoms in these domains were; ‘night sweats’, ‘feeling anxious or nervous’, ‘aching muscles or joints’, and ‘avoiding intimacy’. There was a statistically significant difference between; the severity of menopausal symptoms and working status (P = 0.017), different educational levels (P = 0.001), exercise activity (P = 0.001), exercise frequency (P = 0.04), and duration of menopause (P = 0.03). Conclusions: The prevalence of menopausal symptoms in our population is similar to most other communities. Employment, higher educational levels, doing physical activity and duration of menopause of more than five years is associated with milder menopausal symptoms

ON THE GIRTH OF TANNER (3,7) QUASI-CYCLIC LDPC CODES

Abstract. S. Kim et al. have been analyzed the girth of some algebraically structured quasi-cyclic (QC) low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, i.e. Tanner (3, 5) of length 5p, where p is a prime of the form 15m + 1. In this paper, by extension this method to Tanner (3, 7) codes of length 7p, where p is a prime of the form 21m + 1, the girth values of Tanner (3, 7) codes will be derived. As an advantage, the rate of Tanner (3, 7) codes is about 0.17 more than the rate of Tanner (3, 5) codes