The Incidence of Renal Scarring and its Related Factors in Children with First Pyelonephritis

Introduction:Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common in children. UTIs are important in view of the morbidity and risk of scarring. Several factors have been reported to be responsible for progression to scarring. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of scar and its related factors. Materials and Methods:In this study, 26 males and 77 females (3 months - 12 years) with first pyelonephritis were evaluated. All patients underwent ultrasound, cystourethrography, and Dimercaptosuccinic acid scan. A follow-up scan was performed 6 months later. Age, gender, organism, presence, and grade of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), delay in treatment, total white blood cell counts (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on admission were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the variables and scar.Results:Of 103 patients, 47.6% had VUR. Scar was detected in 38.8%. There were significant associations between delay in treatment (p=0.0001), grade of VUR (p=0.03) and elevated ESR (p= 0.006), CRP (p=0.002) and WBC (p=o.oo5) with scar. No association was established with age, sex, VUR, and organism. On multivariate analysis, delay in treatment was independently associated with scar.Conclusions:We found that the grade of VUR, delay in treatment, and increased ESR, CRP and WBC were important factors related to scar. Keywords: Child; Pyelonephritis; Renal Scar

Effect of Nanomicelle Curcumin on Quality of Life and Sleep in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: Considering the evidence indicating the neuronal protective effects of curcumin in previous studies, this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, and parallel-group trial was aimed at exploring the possible nanomicelle curcumin (SinaCurcumin®, nano-micellar soft gel)-mediated impact on sleep, fatigue, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).Methods: A sample of 50 PD patients were recruited and randomly divided into experimental (25) and control groups (25). Sleep quality, fatigue, and QoL were assessed based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire–39 (PDQ-39), respectively, at the beginning and the end of the study. The groups were treated for three months by 80 mg of nano-micellar soft gel twice a day.Results: Nanomicelle curcumin significantly increased sleep quality and QoL compared with placebo (P values = 0.0001 and 0.0002, respectively) in PD patients. This significant difference has not influenced by the duration of the disease, the severity of disease progression (Hoehn & Yahr scale), and the cumulative dose of levodopa. This supplement did not have a significant effect on the fatigue severity of patients compared to placebo.Conclusion: It has proposed that the nanomicelle curcumin can be used to improve sleep quality and QoL in PD patients

Knowledge of Emergency Contraception among College Students in Zanjan, Iran

Background & aim: Avoiding unintended pregnancy is an important issue among college students. Emergency contraception is considered as a practical method to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. This study was conducted to measure the knowledge of college students regarding emergency contraception in Zanjan, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 911 college students, who were studying humanity, engineering, and experimental sciences in Zanjan, Iran, during 2011 to 2012. The subjects were selected using stratified random sampling method, and the data were collected by a questionnaire developed by the researcher. The level of knowledge was considered as low, moderate, and high. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square test in SPSS software, version 16. Results: According to the results, 78 (8.6%), 279 (30.9%), and 545 (60.4%) of the students had high, moderate, and low levels of knowledge about emergency contraception, respectively. Additionally, 524 individuals (58.28%) had heard about emergency contraception so far. Furthermore, 256 (28.6%) students knew about combined oral contraceptive pills, and 64 (7.2%) of them knew about intrauterine device with copper as an emergency contraception. There was a significant relationship between marital status and the level of knowledge (P=0.01). Conclusion: The results showed that the students had inadequate knowledge about the methods of emergency contraception. Conducting educational programs and making students aware through the media may be helpful for increasing their level of knowledge

Asthma awareness among primary school teachers in Zanjan in 2014

Background: Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease and a leading cause of school absenteeism. Awareness, attitude, and knowledge of asthma can play an effective role in controlling this disease and its consequences. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the level of asthma awareness among primary school teachers in Zanjan. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 403 teachers of boys- and girls-only primary schools, who were selected using single-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire, in which higher scores indicated higher level of asthma awareness. Findings were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics in SPSS. Results: Data analysis showed that 58 (14.4%) and 345 (85.6%) out of 403 participants were male and female, respectively. The means of age and work experience of the participants were 45±5.53 and 22±5.92 years old, respectively. In addition, teachers’ mean score for asthma awareness was at a good level (12±2.2). Teachers’ mean level of asthma awareness had a significant relationship with gender and history of dealing with asthmatic children (p = 0.03, p = 0.04), while it had no significant relationship with age, work experience, and education level. Conclusion: In this study, the mean level of asthma awareness among the primary school teachers was good. Due to the importance of the disease in children and effective role of teachers in helping them, effective measures must be taken to increase teachers’ awareness

Factors related to women's childbirth satisfaction in physiologic and routine childbirth groups

Background: Women's satisfaction with childbirth is an important measure of the quality of maternity care services. This study aims to address factors related to women's childbirth satisfaction in physiological and routine childbirth groups. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted among 340 women in physiological and routine childbirth groups in 2012. Women were selected through convenience sampling method in the routine group and by census in the physiological group. Data were collected using a 5-part questionnaire composed of demographic and obstetrics details, Mackey's Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale (CSRS), satisfied with birth setting, Labor Agentry Scale (LAS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), which was completed by interview 24 hours after childbirth. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18 software using Pearson correlation test, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and linear, multivariate regression model at the significant level of P 0.05). Conclusions: Improved physical structure and setting of birth room, nonmedical pain relief, mothers' involvement in the process of labor, and sense of being in control are associated with mothers' satisfaction

Dipstick Urinalysis Screening of Healthy Neonates

Renal disease may accidentally be discovered during urinalysis. This study was conducted to examine the usefulness of dipstick urinalysis screening in healthy neonates for the diagnosis of underlying renal disease and to study the magnitude of abnormal urinalysis in apparently healthy neonates. Methods: In this descriptive study, voided urine samples were obtained from 400 apparently healthy neonates and tested using urine dipstick. The reaction of dipstick strip was read visually by a trained nurse. In cases with an abnormal urine analysis, a second screen test was performed within a week, and for those with persistent abnormalities, complete diagnostic tests were done. Results: On the first urinalysis, 375 (94%) subjects were normal and 25 (6%) had abnormalities: 23 had proteinuria (5.75%), one was blood positive (0.25%), and one was both protein and blood positive (0.25%). Male neonates had a higher proportion of proteinuria than female neonates (p=0.038). In the second examination, proteinuria was found in five (1.25%) neonates, but the proportion of other abnormalities did not change. In follow-up investigations, ureteropelvic junction obstruction and vesicoureteral reflux were recognized in two infants who had blood-positive or combined blood- and protein-positive results on their first tests. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that dipstick test during neonatal period could be used for early diagnosis of renal diseases

Evaluation of socioeconomic factors in injured children at Mousavi and Valiasr hospitals of Zanjan

Background and Objective: Injury is one of the causes of morbidity and mortality that deprives the injured individuals of a normal life but also imposes high emotional and financial costs for the patients and their family. This study was done in order to determine the socioeconomic factors in injured children at Mousavi and Valiasr hospitals of Zanjan.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study 650 injured children under 15 who referred to Mousavi and Valiasr hospitals of zanjan were randomly selected. Using a questionnaire, information on demographic and socioeconomic factors including sex, age, and type of injury, parents' age, occupation and salary were gathered. Data was analyzed using measure of central tendency, frequency tables and Chi-Square Test.Results: From 650 injured children, %61.5 were boys and %38.5 were girls. The mean (SD) age of these children was 7.8 (4.3). Three hundred eighty five of the children (%59.2) were urban and 265 (%40.8) were rural. Most of injured children had a father who was worker or a mother who was housewife. The level of education of parents was low in most cases. Furthermore, the frequency of injuries in children had a significant association with family income and socioeconomic factors.Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that carrying out prevention programs for students and parents, especially families of low socioeconomic status has a major role in reducing injury risk factors from the children's living environment.  </p

Mortality after low trauma hip fracture: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Various risk of mortality due to hip fracture has been reported by different studies. There is scarce controlled study on hip fracture mortality from developing countries and no data from Middle East region. The objective of this study is to determine mortality and its risk factors one year after low trauma hip fracture. Methods One hundred and two patients after hip fracture not caused by high impact injuries or local bone diseases followed up prospectively for one year. Control group consisted of sex and age matched patients admitted to ophthalmology ward for eye surgery. Data about comorbidity obtained from both groups at baseline. Functional state and health-related quality of life for the participants were measured using RDRS-2 and SF-36 questionnaires, respectively. Results The overall survival was 83% in cases and 92% in controls (log rank test 3.62, df = 1, P = 0.057). Early mortality within the first 6 months of observation was significantly higher in patients than controls (13 in patients vs. 2 in controls) (log rank test 8.84, df = 1, P = 0.003). The risk of mortality in the first year after fracture was significantly and independently associated with age and baseline RDRS score. By the end of follow-up, in the patient group, 55.4% of survivors were able to walk without any assistance and 10.8% were not able to walk. Conclusions The risk of mortality within the first 6 months of observation was significantly and independently associated with low trauma hip fracture. However, age and baseline RDRS score were independent predictors of mortality in the first year following hip fracture.</p

Assessment of Sensitivity, Specificity, and Diagnostic Accuracy of High Resolution CT Scan in Meniscal Lesions

Background and Objectives: Knee joint as the largest synovial joint in the body, consists of the lateral collateral ligament, cruciate ligament, and medial and lateral meniscus. For proper management, identification of damage to any structures of the knee is necessary. In this study, snsitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of high resolution CT scan in meniscal lesions, were assessed. &nbsp; Methods: In this test accuracy assessment study, 57 patients with a history of positive meniscus lesion, who referred to Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital of Zanjan city from 2015 to 2016, were investigated by magnetic resonance imaging, high resolution computed tomography, and arthroscopy. Magnetic resonance imaging and high resolution computed tomography data, were compared to knee arthroscopy as the diagnosis gold standard. Kappa (&kappa;) correlation coefficient was used to calculate the consistency of the tests. &nbsp; Results: Out of the 57 patients presented with meniscal lesion, 52 patients (91.2%) were male and 5 patients (8.8%) were female. The highest incidence of meniscal lesions was in ages from 21 to 30 years. Among the causes of meniscal lesions, exercise with prevalence of 47.9%, was the most prevalent cause of injury. In comparison with arthroscopy, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of high resolution computed tomography were determined to be 64.7%, 55%, and 60%, respectively, and for magnetic resonance imaging were 85.2%, 50%, and 77.5%, respectively. &nbsp; Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of high resolution computed tomography in the diagnosis of meniscal lesions, was lower than the previous studies. &nbsp; &nbsp

Correlation between serum IgA and other variables in diabetic individuals.

<p>^†Correlation coefficient was calculated by Spearman</p><p>*P Value<0.05</p><p>Correlation between serum IgA and other variables in diabetic individuals.</p