Increased serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus

Background: Elevated serum levels of oxidized Low-density Lipoprotein (oxLDL) have been found in type 2 and in poorly controlled diabetic patients. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has common features with type 2 diabetes. Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the serum levels of oxLDL in women with GDM compared to normal pregnant women. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ninety-two subjects were randomly allocated to either GDM (n=46) or control (n=46) groups matched for age, body mass index and parity from March 2013 to March 2014. GDM was diagnosed according to the American Diabetes Association criteria at 24-26 weeks of gestation. OxLDL was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. T-test and Pearson correlation coefficients were applied for analyzing the data by using SPSS version 17. Results: Compared to the controls, significantly higher oxLDL levels were found in the GDM group (17.16 ± 3.71 U/L vs. 8.77 ± 1.84 U/L, respectively, p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between oxLDL and age and BMI of the patients in the groups. Conclusion: Our study found significant increase of oxLDL in GDM emphasizing the role of short-term hyperglycemia in the formation of oxLDL during GDM. The importance of aptly diagnosis of GDM in maternal health may also be concluded

Pulmonary Adverse Effects of Welding Fume in Automobile Assembly Welders

Welding is one of the key components of numerous manufacturing industries, which has potential physical and chemical health hazards. Many components of welding fumes can potentially affect the lung function. This study investigates the effects of welding fumes on lung function and respiratory symptoms among welders of an automobile manufacturing plant in Iran. This historical cohort study assesses 43 male welders and 129 office workers by a questionnaire to record demographic data, smoking habits, work history and respiratory symptoms as well as lung function status by spirometry. The average pulmonary function values of welders were lower relative to controls with dose-effect relationship between work duration and pulmonary function impairment. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was higher in welders than controls. Our findings suggest that welders are at risk for pulmonary disease

Metabolic syndrome and ethnic groups

<p>Metabolic syndrome is defined as the co-occurrence of<br>metabolic risk factors for both type 2 diabetes and<br>cardiovascular disease (i.e. abdominal obesity,<br>hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension). Indeed,<br>metabolic syndrome is an important risk factor for<br>subsequent development of type 2 diabetes and/or CVD.<br>Thus, the key clinical implication of a diagnosis of<br>metabolic syndrome is the identification of a patient who<br>needs aggressive lifestyle modification focused on weight<br>reduction and increased physical activity. Multiple different<br>phenotypes and ethnic-specific values for waist<br>circumference are included within metabolic syndrome,<br>with indications for differing treatment strategies. This book<br>covers several aspects of metabolic syndrome, including<br>its definition, diagnostic criteria, preventive measures, and<br>treatment, as well as the possible association between<br>ethnicity and the occurrence of metabolic syndrome.</p> <p> </p

Effect of Exposure to a Mixture of Organic Solvents on Hearing Thresholds in Petrochemical Industry Workers

Introduction: Hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases. In most workplaces, workers are exposed to noise and solvents simultaneously, so the potential risk of hearing loss due to solvents may be attributed to noise.  In this study we aimed to assess the effect of exposure to mixed aromatic solvents on hearing in the absence of exposure to hazardous noise.   Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 99 workers from the petrochemical industry with exposure to a mixture of organic solvents whose noise exposure was lower than 85 dBA were compared with 100 un-exposed controls. After measuring sound pressure level and mean concentration of each solvent in the workplace, pure-tone-audiometry was performed and the two groups were compared in terms of high-frequency and low-frequency hearing loss. T-tests and Chi-square tests were used to compare the two groups.   Results: The mean hearing threshold at all frequencies among petrochemical workers was normal (below 25 dB). We did not observe any significant association between solvent exposure and high-frequency or low-frequency hearing loss.   Conclusion:  This study showed that temporary exposure (less than 4 years) to a mixture of organic solvents, without exposure to noise, does not affect workers’ hearing threshold in audiometry tests

Effect of Exposure to a Mixture of Organic Solvents on Hearing Thresholds in Petrochemical Industry Workers

Introduction: Hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases. In most workplaces, workers are exposed to noise and solvents simultaneously, so the potential risk of hearing loss due to solvents may be attributed to noise.  In this study we aimed to assess the effect of exposure to mixed aromatic solvents on hearing in the absence of exposure to hazardous noise.   Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 99 workers from the petrochemical industry with exposure to a mixture of organic solvents whose noise exposure was lower than 85 dBA were compared with 100 un-exposed controls. After measuring sound pressure level and mean concentration of each solvent in the workplace, pure-tone-audiometry was performed and the two groups were compared in terms of high-frequency and low-frequency hearing loss. T-tests and Chi-square tests were used to compare the two groups.   Results: The mean hearing threshold at all frequencies among petrochemical workers was normal (below 25 dB). We did not observe any significant association between solvent exposure and high-frequency or low-frequency hearing loss.   Conclusion:  This study showed that temporary exposure (less than 4 years) to a mixture of organic solvents, without exposure to noise, does not affect workers’ hearing threshold in audiometry tests

Assessment of clinical diagnostic accuracy compared with pathological diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, afflicting light skin more than dark skin people. This malignancy metastasizes rarely and has unique histological properties. Aims and Objectives: We focused on the accuracy of clinical diagnoses of BCC by specialists. Materials and Methods: Patients′ information for 4-year period between 2007 and 2011 was extracted from files at a Pathology Department. The results were analyzed using the Chi-square method and SPSS software. Results: From 367 referred cases dermatologists diagnosed 41% as direct BCC cases, 43.4% through excluding other skin diseases, 4% incorrectly and 1.11% unidentified. For other specialists (including plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, general surgeons, and general practitioners) these were respectively 47.8%, 22.4%, 6.3% and 23.5%. Dermatologists had diagnosed 107 cases of all skin diseases as BCC through clinical examination of which 78.5% were correctly and 21.5% incorrectly diagnosed. The same parameters for all other specialists were respectively 77.36% and 22.64%. Diagnostic sensitivity, positive reportability, clinical conjecture indicator (CCI) and clinical diagnostic indicator were respectively 84.4%, 78.5%, 121.5% and 75.6%; whereas for other specialists these indicators were 70 among cases diagnosed by dermatologists as BCC, where pathological results showed other causes. The most common diagnosis by pathologists and other specialists was reported as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Among cases not diagnosed by dermatologists as BCC, where pathological results indicated BCC, the most common clinical diagnosis was malignant melanoma by dermatologists and SCC by other specialists. Conclusion: Dermatologists diagnosed BCC with higher sensitivity and positive reportability; also, CCIs and clinical diagnostic correctness was higher among dermatologists. The necessity for consulting with dermatologists and referring all skin diseases samplings to pathologist is thus clearly visible

Association between Glutathione S-Transferase GSTM1-T1 and P1 Polymorphisms with Metabolic Syndrome in Zoroastrians in Yazd, Iran

<p> </p> <p>GSTP1-I/V and V/V alleles, alone or in association with GSTM1 null and GSTT1 present genotypes, are related with decreased susceptibility to the development of MS in Zoroastrian females. </p