THE EFFECTS OF REALSIL (SILYBIN-PHOSPHOLIPID-VITAMIN E COMPLEX) ON LIVER ENZYMES IN PATIENTS WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD) OR NON-ALCOHOLIC STEATO-HEPATITIS (NASH): A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF RCTS.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to systematically review the effects of Realsil (silybin-phospholipid-vitamin E complex) on liver enzymes in patients with NAFLD or NASH. METHODS: We searched Web of Science, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, ProQuest, Scopus, and 1868 articles were found up to December 2018. Four studies that examined the effect of Realsil intake on liver enzymes among NAFLD or NASH patients were included. Exclusion criteria include: animal studies, studies with the design other than clinical trials, studies on non-adult individuals, studies that assess the effect of vitamin E, silybin, or phospholipid solely, studies that examined the effect of Realsil on other outcomes, or studies with insufficient data. RESULTS: The analysis demonstrated that Realsil intake led to a significant decrease in Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT) levels (standardized mean difference (SMD) =-0.37; 95% confidence interval (CI]): -0.68 to -0.06). Realsil intake non-significantly decrease alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (SMD=-1.02 U/L; 95% CI: -2.23 to 0.20) and non-significantly increase aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (SMD = 0.17 U/L; 95% CI: -0.26-0.61). CONCLUSION: Realsil intake was associated with a significantly decreased circulating GGT level without any significant effect on AST and ALT levels.

The evaluation of ocular refractive error and axial length changes after scleral buckle removal.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate refractive error and axial length changes after buckle removal due to buckle complications. METHODS: A total of 15 patients involved in this study. The enrolled patients who had history of scleral buckling (SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment referred to clinic for buckle removal due to buckle-related complications. Complete ophthalmic examinations and IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss) device performed prior and 3 months after buckle removal. Also best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive error and axial length changes evaluated after buckle removal. RESULTS: BCVA, refractive error, and axial length changes were not statistically significant (P value: 0.24, 0.23, 0.33, respectively). No redetachment or any other complication was observed after buckle removal. CONCLUSION: The study displayed induced globe shape changes due to SB are irreversible after buckle removal. In addition, it is a safe procedure and does not raise any risk of retinal redetachment.

Precisión diagnóstica mejorada para la imagen de perfusión miocárdica usando redes neuronales artificiales en diferentes variables de entrada incluyendo datos clínicos y de cuantificación / Improved diagnostic accuracy for myocardial perfusion imaging using artificial neural networks on different input variables including clinical and quantification data

OBJETIVO: La precisión diagnóstica de la imagen de perfusión miocárdica (IPM) no es óptima para predecir el resultado de la angiografía. El objetivo del presente estudio es investigar la aplicación de la red neuronal artificial (RNA) para integrar los datos clínicos con el resultado y la cuantificación de la IPM. MÉTODOS: De 923 pacientes con IPM, se reclutaron 93 que se sometieron a angiografía. Se recogieron los datos clínicos, incluidos los factores de riesgo cardíaco, y se registraron los resultados de la IPM y la angiografía coronaria. Se calculó la cuantificación de las gráficas polares IPM (es decir, los recuentos de 20 segmentos de cada una de las gráficas polares de esfuerzo y de reposo) y la puntuación de Gensini de las angiografías. La RNA fue diseñada integrando datos clínicos y de cuantificación para predecir el resultado de la angiografía (normal vs. anormal), la enfermedad coronaria no obstructiva u obstructiva (EAC) y la puntuación de Gensini (≥10 y <10). Las RNA fueron diseñadas para predecir los resultados de la angiografía usando diferentes combinaciones de datos como sigue: informes de IPM, la cuantificación de 40 segmentos de diagramas polares de esfuerzo y reposo, y la cuantificación de estos 40 segmentos además de la edad, el sexo y el número de factores de riesgo. Se comparó el rendimiento diagnóstico de la IPM con diferentes RNA. RESULTADOS: La precisión de la IPM para predecir el resultado de la angiografía, la EAC obstructiva y la puntuación de Gensini aumentó del 81,7 al 92,9%, del 65,0 al 85,7% y del 50,5 al 92,9%, respectivamente, mediante la RNA con cuantificación y factores de riesgo clínicos. CONCLUSIÓN: La precisión diagnóstica de la IPM podría mejorarse mediante la RNA, utilizando datos clínicos y de cuantificación

OBJECTIVE: Diagnostic accuracy of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is not optimal to predict the result of angiography. The current study aimed at investigating the application of artificial neural network (ANN) to integrate the clinical data with the result and quantification of MPI. METHODS: Out of 923 patients with MPI, 93 who underwent angiography were recruited. The clinical data including the cardiac risk factors were collected and the results of MPI and coronary angiography were recorded. The quantification of MPI polar plots (i. e. the counts of 20 segments of each stress and rest polar plots) and the Gensini score of angiographies were calculated. Feed-forward ANN was designed integrating clinical and quantification data to predict the result of angiography (normal vs. abnormal), non-obstructive or obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), and Gensini score (≥10 and <10). The ANNs were designed to predict the results of angiography using different combinations of data as follows: reports of MPI, the counts of 40 segments of stress and rest polar plots, and the count of these 40 segments in addition to age, gender, and the number of risk factors. The diagnostic performance of MPI with different ANNs was compared. RESULTS: The accuracy of MPI to predict the result of angiography, obstructive CAD, and Gensini score increased from 81.7% to 92.9%, 65.0% to 85.7%, and 50.5% to 92.9%, respectively by ANN using counts and clinical risk factors. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of MPI could be improved by ANN, using clinical and quantification data

Improved diagnostic accuracy for myocardial perfusion imaging using artificial neural networks on different input variables including clinical and quantification data. / Precisión diagnóstica mejorada para la imagen de perfusión miocárdica usando redes neuronales artificiales en diferentes variables de entrada incluyendo datos clínicos y de cuantificación.

OBJECTIVE: Diagnostic accuracy of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is not optimal to predict the result of angiography. The current study aimed at investigating the application of artificial neural network (ANN) to integrate the clinical data with the result and quantification of MPI. METHODS: Out of 923 patients with MPI, 93 who underwent angiography were recruited. The clinical data including the cardiac risk factors were collected and the results of MPI and coronary angiography were recorded. The quantification of MPI polar plots (i.e. the counts of 20 segments of each stress and rest polar plots) and the Gensini score of angiographies were calculated. Feed-forward ANN was designed integrating clinical and quantification data to predict the result of angiography (normal vs. abnormal), non-obstructive or obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), and Gensini score (≥10 and <10). The ANNs were designed to predict the results of angiography using different combinations of data as follows: reports of MPI, the counts of 40 segments of stress and rest polar plots, and the count of these 40 segments in addition to age, gender, and the number of risk factors. The diagnostic performance of MPI with different ANNs was compared. RESULTS: The accuracy of MPI to predict the result of angiography, obstructive CAD, and Gensini score increased from 81.7% to 92.9%, 65.0% to 85.7%, and 50.5% to 92.9%, respectively by ANN using counts and clinical risk factors. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of MPI could be improved by ANN, using clinical and quantification data.

Effect of vitamin D and omega-3 on nocturnal enuresis of 7-15-year-old children.

INTRODUCTION: Nocturnal enuresis is known to be a common urinary bladder complication in children. Recent studies have associated vitamin D and omega-3 insufficiency with nocturnal enuresis. AIM: This was a 2-month randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial to measure the effects of vitamin D, omega-3 supplements, and their combination on nocturnal enuresis among 7-15-year-old children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants (180 children with nocturnal enuresis) were selected from children referred to the Pediatric ward of Imam Reza Clinic in Shiraz, Iran. Demographic information and anthropometric measures were taken. Fasting blood and urine samples were also collected, and serum vitamin D and urine prostaglandin E2 were measured before and after intervention. Enuretic children were randomly assigned to four groups: Group A, vitamin D (1000 IU/day); Group B, omega-3 (1000 mg/day); Group C, both omega-3 (1000 mg/day) and vitamin D (1000 IU/day); and Group D, placebo. RESULTS: The results suggested that the study groups were not significantly different regarding demographic and anthropometric measures at baseline. Comparison of different groups revealed that 44.4% of participants in Group A, 28.2% of Group B and 45% of Group C were cured from enuresis (P = 0.03). Serum 25(OH) D was significantly increased in Group A, but urine prostaglandin E2 was not significantly decreased in response to supplementation. Although supplementation with both Group A and Group B were found to be effective, the combined intervention did not increase the effect of each intervention solely. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that supplementation with vitamin D and omega-3 could reduce the number of wet nights among 7-15-year-old children with nocturnal enuresis.

Predicting In vitro Culture Medium Macro-Nutrients Composition for Pear Rootstocks Using Regression Analysis and Neural Network Models.

Two modeling techniques [artificial neural network-genetic algorithm (ANN-GA) and stepwise regression analysis] were used to predict the effect of medium macro-nutrients on in vitro performance of pear rootstocks (OHF and Pyrodwarf). The ANN-GA described associations between investigating eight macronutrients (NO[Formula: see text], NH[Formula: see text], Ca(2+), K(+), Mg(2+), PO[Formula: see text], SO[Formula: see text], and Cl(-)) and explant growth parameters [proliferation rate (PR), shoot length (SL), shoot tip necrosis (STN), chlorosis (Chl), and vitrification (Vitri)]. ANN-GA revealed a substantially higher accuracy of prediction than for regression models. According to the ANN-GA results, among the input variables concentrations (mM), NH[Formula: see text] (301.7), and NO[Formula: see text], NH[Formula: see text] (64), SO[Formula: see text] (54.1), K(+) (40.4), and NO[Formula: see text] (35.1) in OHF and Ca(2+) (23.7), NH[Formula: see text] (10.7), NO[Formula: see text] (9.1), NH[Formula: see text] (317.6), and NH[Formula: see text] (79.6) in Pyrodwarf had the highest values of VSR in data set, respectively, for PR, SL, STN, Chl, and Vitri. The ANN-GA showed that media containing (mM) 62.5 NO[Formula: see text], 5.7 NH[Formula: see text], 2.7 Ca(2+), 31.5 K(+), 3.3 Mg(2+), 2.6 PO[Formula: see text], 5.6 SO[Formula: see text], and 3.5 Cl(-) could lead to optimal PR for OHF and optimal PR for Pyrodwarf may be obtained with media containing 25.6 NO[Formula: see text], 13.1 NH[Formula: see text], 5.5 Ca(2+), 35.7 K(+), 1.5 Mg(2+), 2.1 PO[Formula: see text], 3.6 SO[Formula: see text], and 3 Cl(-).

Optimizing culture media for in vitro proliferation and rooting of Tetra (Prunus empyrean 3) rootstock.

The enormous demand for new rootstock genotypes in Prunus spp. makes us to use micropropagation as an unavoidable propagation method. Therefore, the study on micropropagation of a new semi-dwarf vegetative rootstock namely Tetra (Prunus empyrean 3) was carried out to develop an optimized protocol. Culture establishment using nodal segments was enhanced using WPM (woody plant medium) medium lacking growth regulators. From various shoot multiplication treatments, the highest number of shoots per explant (30.4) was found on ME (Media created specifically) medium supplemented with 0.8 mg l-1 BAP and 0.05 mg l-1 IBA. 100% in vitro rooting was achieved on ½ strength MS medium with 0.5 mg l-1 IBA, 1.6 mg l-1 thiamine and 150 mg l-1 iron sequestrene.

The analysis of health research system evaluation in medical sciences universities.

BACKGROUND: Based on Iran by 2025 defined vision, we must to receive the first grade of science position in south western Asian region. Thus we need to have a comprehensive evaluation program. METHODS: A comprehensive WHO Health Research System Analysis (HRSA)- based evaluation system was developed to evaluate the HRS in Iran. This article has explored the results of the five-year evaluation (2003-2008) and aims to introduce this method to other developing countries. Here we explore the results of research performance evaluation from 2002 to 2010 and by comparing the results with previous available information, we reveal the probable role of this method in research promotion and proposed approach to facilitate and expedite achieving the prospects for goals of health research based on the visions of Iran by 2025. RESULTS: All of the indicators of stewardship and capacity building axes are received to their predefined levels. Moreover all of the medical science university research policies are based on their strategic plannings which are extracted from national visions of Iran by 2025. Most of the predefined goals in knowledge production domain had a significant grow trend but for more growth for commitments they should be closely follow. CONCLUSION: We developed an HRS-based comprehensive evaluation program to our national vision as well as our regional and international research competition.

Health research evaluation and its role on knowledge production.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge production and evaluation are two important functions of health research system (HRS). In this article, we aimed to reveal the correlation between evaluation of health research organizations and health knowledge production promotion. METHODS: A comprehensive evaluation system was developed to evaluate the academic performance of national medical science universities on an annual basis. It assess following domains; stewardship, capacity building and knowledge production. Measurable indicators for each domain were assigned, a 'research profile' for each department was provided. In this study, we compared the results of annually national Health Research System evaluation findings during 2005-2008. RESULTS: The number of scientific articles has been increased from 4672 to 8816 during 2005 to 2008. It is mentionable that, the number of articles which has been published in indexed data bases has risen too. This fact could be related to directed policy for more international publication of scientific articles from Iran. The proportion of total articles to the number of academic members was 1.14 in 2008, comparing to 0.84 in 2005. It means that this proportion have increased about twice (0.7 Vs 0.45) during mentioned time. Moreover, other scientific products such as authored books based on domestic researches and cited articles in textbooks have increased according to special attention to knowledge production by policy makers. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Health System Research evaluation could be used as a mean for implementing policies and promoting knowledge production.

Community mobilization for youth health promotion: a lesson learned from iran.

BACKGROUND: More than 36 % of the total population of Iran consists of young people aged 15 to 25 yr. Recent studies show that this age group has the highest rate of serious health problems. Youth participatory studies on youth health priority have shown that mental health is one of the most important priorities in youth health. Aim to assessing the mental health needs of youth we conducted a peer group based multidisciplinary study. METHODS: To conduct a multi disciplinary approach through involving youth for finding their mental health needs and their suggestion for solving them, we designed a qualitative approach based on grounded theory. To data collection, we used a semi-structured guide questionnaire. Sixteen focus group discussions were conducted by trained peers with youth aged 15-25 years. RESULT: According to FGDs results, most of youth health needs concern with their interpersonal communications skills particularly with their parents'; they had some problems with their parental expectations meet; life skills; self-expression and problem solving process. They were extremely interested in participatory approach in which they involved in assessment and determination of their health problems also in designing health programs. CONCLUSION: Success of program shows empowering the community through capacity building and notice to peer group-based interventions to critical enhancing in various aspects of youth health is the most effective method to needs assessment and community mobilization for better health.

Nuclear imaging with radiolabeled odor molecules in patients with olfactory disorder.

Smell loss originates from peripheral disorders, like intranasal obstruction and olfactory cell injury, as well as central pathway diseases. Information derived from electrophysiological and psychophysical tests are useful for identifying loss of smell, but not for discriminating between central and peripheral deficits. This is because conventional imaging modalities are unable to deliver information about functional olfactory performance. Although functional imaging is able to show abnormal changes in central olfactory pathways, it seems that it is only possible to observe such abnormalities in olfactory cell dysfunction. We hypothesize that the scanning of peripheral olfactory systems by radiolabeled odor molecules may specifically reveal olfactory dysfunction and may be useful for differentiating peripheral from central olfactory disorders.

Review of the relationship between milk urea nitrogen and days in milk, parity, and monthly temperature mean in Iranian Holstein cows.

The objectives of this study were to determine the relationships between milk urea N and days in milk, parity, and season in Iranian Holstein cows. Twelve Iranian commercial dairy herds participated in a 13-mo study from December 1, 2008, to December 31, 2009. All cows were milked 3 times daily, housed in freestalls, and fed a total mixed ration twice a day. Mean milk urea N over the study period was 16.0mg/dL. Mean milk urea N, categorized by 30-d increments of days in milk, paralleled changes in milk values and followed a curvilinear shape. However, milk urea N concentration reached a maximum at the fifth month of days in milk, but milk production reached a maximum at the third month. The concentration of milk urea N was lower during the first 30 d in milk category compared with all other days in milk categories. Overall mean milk urea N concentration of Holstein cows in the third and greater lactations was lower than in the first or second lactation. Milk urea N was at its lowest level in December (13 mg/dL), increased in the spring and summer months, and reached a maximum in July (18.8 mg/dL). From that point, milk urea N concentration progressively diminished to the autumn-winter level. In this study, milk urea N concentration was positively correlated with monthly temperature mean and may be a reason for the lower reproductive performance during the summer months. It has been recommended that milk urea N concentration should be evaluated in association with parity, days in milk, and season (or month). These variables should be considered potential sources of misinterpretation when exploring the relationship between milk urea N and nutritional management or measures of performance.

Evaluation of radioiodine therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer subjects with elevated serum thyroglobulin and negative whole body scan using 131I with emphasize on the thallium scintigraphy in these subgroups.

OBJECTIVE: Negative diagnostic 131I whole body scans with elevated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels are found in 20% of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Empirical radioiodine treatment has been advocated by some researchers, but has had with controversial outcomes. This anterospective study was performed to examine this dilemma and also to determine the capability of thallium (201TI) scintigraphy in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients who had a history of DTC and elevated serum Tg levels, together with a negative diagnostic 131I whole body scans (WBS), were included in the study. All patients underwent posttreatment 131I WBS. Patients with negative posttreatment 131I WBS then underwent 201TI scintigraphy. RESULTS: The 21 included patients (9 women and 12 men) had a mean age of 53 +/- 14.17 years. The mean pretreatment and posttreatment Tg levels were 227.23 +/- 208.50 ng/ml and 163.43 +/- 282.57 ng/ml, respectively (p value <0.05). Eleven cases showed at least a 50% decrease in Tg value (remission group), 6 patients revealed less than a 50% decrease in Tg value (stable group), while 4 subjects demonstrated an increment in posttreatment Tg relative to pretreatment Tg value (progression group). The cumulative and last 131I doses in the remission, stable, and progression groups were not significantly different (p value >0.05). In the posttreatment 131I WBS, 10 patients showed abnormal findings in their images. In a follow-up scan after 201TI treatment, 7 out of 11 patients had positive scans. CONCLUSION: The study indicates a positive effect of RAI therapy in DTC patients with elevated Tg and negative 131I WBS. In addition, 201TI scintigraphy can be useful as an alternative modality to improve tumoral detection in this situation and when access to a PET system is limited.

Initial and delayed stress phase imaging in a single-injection double-acquisition SPECT. The potential value of early 99mTc-MIBI redistribution in assessment of myocardial perfusion reversibility in patients with coronary artery disease.

UNLABELLED: Some studies reported that 99mTc-MIBI may redistribute in ischaemic myocardium and this phenomenon may have potential role for better assessment of viability by delayed 99mTc-MIBI imaging. Some studies also suggested that infusion of low dose dobutamine during delayed imaging may enhance the value of 99mTc-MIBI imaging for evaluation of viability. The aim of this study is to determine whether the observed changes of perfusion defects on delayed images are caused by early radiotracer redistribution or as a result of reversal partial volume effect secondary to inotropic stimulation. PATIENTS, METHODS: 89 patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) were enrolled in this randomized clinical trial study. In all cases, gated-SPECT images were obtained 60 minutes after stress with dipyridamole injection. Subsequently the patients were randomly allocated in two groups and the second imaging was performed at 120th minute during low dose dobutamine (dobutamine group; 45 cases) or placebo infusion (placebo group; 44 cases). Difference between summed stress score of the first (SSS1) and second (SSS2) stress images (DeltaSSS) was considered as a marker of reversibility in single-injection double-acquisition (SIDA) protocol. Also summed difference score (SDS) was recorded as a marker of reversibility in standard stress/rest, double-injection double-acquisition (DIDA) protocol. DeltaSSS of the two studied groups were compared. Also the correlation and agreement between DeltaSSS and SDS were analyzed. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between SSS1 (median 15, range 0-48) and SSS2 (median 11, range 0-42) in total patients (p < 0.0001). A significant correlation was noted between DeltaSSS and SDS in dobutamine group (r = 0.58, p = 0.002) as well as in placebo group (r = 0.57, p < 0.0001). Considering DIDA protocol as a standard reference method, the influence of dobutamine infusion was not shown to be significantly different from the placebo effect on the magnitude of fixed or reversible perfusion defects in SIDA protocol. CONCLUSION: The changes in the magnitude of the perfusion defects may occur in the first hours of 99mTc-MIBI injection in the stress phase imaging. These changes correlate well and are in agreement with perfusion improvement on the rest images. This phenomenon may be independent of improvement in myocardial function, in more delayed imaging or following inotropic augmentation, and thus is likely due to 99mTc-MIBI redistribution. This may open new technical and clinical aspects and potentials for 99mTc-MIBI imaging.

The Effectiveness of Educational Intervention in the Health Promotion in Elderly people.

BACKGROUND: More than 8% of Iran's populations are elderly. The greatest challenge in this generation is improvement of health and quality of life. So we decided to perform an interventional study with the aim of promoting the health of the elderly. METHODS: This study was a community interventional in Ekbatan Complex. Subjects were elderly. At first, need assessment was done with the participation of 200 elderly by questionnaire. Based on the need assessment, we designed the educational interventions in different fields such as nutrition, mental health, and exercise and then, we compared the results. RESULTS: 0ne hundred elderly participated as interventional group. There were 86% women and 24% of men. Almost 59% were in the 60-69 age group. More than » of the subjects were university graduates. Pre and post interventional groups were matched in age, education and gender. Regarding nutrition, second priority food in women aged 60-69 was rice and after the intervention, it was changed to vegetables (P= 0.05) but in other age groups and in the men's groups no difference were noted. Aerobic exercises in women has increased after the intervention (P= 0.01). With regards to mental health, life satisfaction among women under study has increased from 68% to 90% after the intervention (P= 0.01). Feeling happy most of the time has increased from 53% to 83% in women aged 60-69 (P= 0.01) and in men from 64% to 83% (P= 0.05) respectively. CONCLUSION: Policymakers should design long-term educational programs to promote the elderly lifestyles.

Evaluating the relationship between breakfast pattern and short-term memory in junior high school girls.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between breakfast pattern and short-term memory in guidance-school students. Memory improves for subjects who have eaten breakfast. It appears that breakfast consumption influences cognition via several mechanisms. What children eat for breakfast before going to school is very important. A total of 150 junior high school girls were taken from a subject pool in four schools in Shiraz (capital of the Fars Province in Iran). They filled out the socio-economic questionnaires as well as food frequency questionnaires for breakfast and provided two-three day breakfast records in two different seasons and their short-term memories were evaluated by Weksler test socio-economic conditions and dietary intakes were analyzed. The results of the study showed that there was no correlation between parents job, students mean age and their school grades with their memory scores. Dietary analysis demonstrated a negative correlation between local soup consumption in breakfast and memory scores. Food record analysis showed no correlation between fat, cholesterol, protein, vitamin B6, B12, calorie and iodine intake in breakfast and memory scores, but there was a positive correlation between carbohydrate, iron and vitamin B3 intake in breakfast and memory scores, similarly there was a positive correlation between B12 intake in the breakfast and students' average school grades during the year.

Blood lipid and lipoprotein profile of female athletes with respect to their jobs and nutrients intake.

There is general believe that exercise may results in changes that likely reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and may slow the progression of established coronary artery disease. Chronic cardiovascular training results in changes in lipoproteins and apolipoproteins that reflect adaptation to the increased metabolic demands imposed by frequent, vigorous exercise. Moreover, the alterations in lipoproteins vary according to level of physical conditioning and intensity of exercise. One hundred three pre-menopausal physically active women ages 20-50 years old which have been exercising for at least 6 months involve in this study. Upon entering the study subjects were asked to complete questionnaire, regarding personal health and diet history (24 h recall plus 7 days food frequency list). Total calorie intake, level of carbohydrate, protein and fat in the subjects' diet were analyzed. In addition the concentration of women's plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C were also measured and compared with normal value. The results of the present study showed that, the mean total caloric intake of women were 1812.54 kilocalories, where their carbohydrate, protein and fat intake were 67.28, 12.83 and 19.89% of their total calories, respectively. The average age, weight, height and Body Mass Index (BMI) of the women involved in the study were, 30.81+/-8.87 years, 57.85+/-7.79 kg, 160.32+/-5.36 cm and 22.53+/-2.82 kg m(-2), respectively. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentration of women were also in normal range with the lowest in those who exercise for more than one year and physical education teacher.

Body mass index and thyroid function in adolescent girls.

The present research was conduted to examine the relationship between thyroid function and body mass index. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Lar province and its' vicinity in south of Iran. By stepwise random sampling from all public girls' high schools, 227 high school participants (aged 12-21) were selected. Serum samples were collected and assayed for Triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3). Weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) were calculated (weight (kg)/height2 (m)). Subgroup analysis was done according to body mass index. TSH, T4 and rT3 were correlated with BMI (r = 0.66, p = 0.001 and r = 0.12, p = 0.05 and r = 0.65, p = 0.001, respectively). Adolescent girls with BMI > or = 25 kg m(-2) showed higher serum TSH, T4 and rT 3 than subjects with BMI < 25 kg m(-2) (p = 0.001, p = 0.05 and p = 0.001, respectively). Present results showed that, although thyroid function was normal in the studied participants TSH and rT3 were positively correlated to BMI. TSH and rT3 could present a marker of altered energy balance in overweight and obese adolescent girls.

Effects of administration of iron, iodine and simultaneous iron-plus-iodine on the thyroid hormone profile in iron-deficient adolescent Iranian girls.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether iron supplementation can improve thyroid hormone function in iron-deficient adolescent girls. DESIGN: A double-blind randomized intervention study. SETTING: The study was performed from 2002 through 2003 in the Islamic Republic of Iran. SUBJECTS: 103 iron-deficient non-anaemic girls who fulfilled all inclusion criteria were included, and 94 subjects successfully completed the study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups and treated with a single oral dose of 190 mg iodine plus 300 mg ferrous sulphate 5 times/week (n=24), 300 mg ferrous sulphate 5 times/week (n=23), a single oral dose of 190 mg iodine (n=25), or a placebo (n=22) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: All groups were comparable at baseline. After the intervention, there was a significant increase in ferritin and transferrin saturation in the iron+iodine group (17.6 vs 8.7 microg/dl, and 18.8 vs 7.2%, respectively, P<0.001 for both) and in the iron group (P<0.001 for both). Urinary iodine doubled in the iron+iodine group and in the iodine group (P<0.001 for both). Thyroid indices tT4, tT3 and T3RU increased and reverse RT3 decreased in the iron+iodine group (10 vs 8.9 microg/dl, P< 0.001; 143 vs 138 microg/dl, P<0.05; 32.3 vs 28.4%, P<0.001 and 24.8 vs 44.2 ng/dl, P<0.001, respectively) and in the iron group. These two groups did not differ for any of the four indices, but both differed significantly from the iodine and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that improvement of iron status was accompanied by an improvement in some indices of thyroid hormones. SPONSORSHIP: This study was supported by the Dean of Research Affairs of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences.