---

Background & Aim: Due to various medical complications and high prevalence of periodontal disease in our society, the present study was designed for assessment of correlation between periodontal disease during pregnancy and low birth weight and preterm delivery. Methods: In this case-control study, the periodontal status of 50 women with infants who had less than 2500 gr birth weight and 100 matched control counterparts were evaluated at 2007-2008 in Akbarabadi and Mahdieh hospitals in Tehran. The periodontal parameters of GI, PI, CPI and probing depth indices were assessed on 6 teeth of Ramford index. The data were analyzed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U and logistic regression tests. Results: PD index was 0-3 mm in 90.0% of cases and 85.0% of controls with no significant differences. In 2.0% cases, GI was poor, in 34.0% was fair and good in 64.0% the rates were 3.0%, 34.0% and 63.0% in controls with no significant differences (p>0.93). CPI index was poor in 8.0% of cases, fair in 30.0% and good in 62.0% while it was poor in 3.0%, fair in 33.0% and good in 64.0% of control subjects with no significant differences (p>0.63). PI index was poor in 4.0%, fair in 32.0% and good in 64.0% of cases with no significant differences vs. control groups (p>0.68). However, the incidence of preterm birth had significant difference between two groups (P<0.0001). Conclusion: In this study, no significant correlation was observed between periodontal disease parameters and low birth weight of infants. However periodontal disease parameters may be correlated with preterm birth.

---

Background and aim: Considering the rise of HIV transmission through sexual contact, the necessity of disease prevention through sexually transmitted is apparent from the models. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of educational program based on health belief model in health beliefs about AIDS in high school female students in tehran. Methods: The present interventional study was conducted on 77 students in level one, two and three as intervention group and 72 students as control group from two high schools of area 8. Data collection tool was a questionnaire containing demographic information and questions related to the health belief model. After pretest on both groups the only intervention group was educated based on HIV and AIDS preventive behaviors. Collected data were analyzed by Paired t-test and Independent t-test. Results: In spite of similarity in both groups at baseline, the intervention was carried out based on health belief leads to a significant improvement in knowledge, perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits and self-efficacy respectively (p< 0.05). It also indicated that the students' perceived barriers to HIV preventive behaviors and beliefs associated to the disease significantly declined (p <0.05). Conclusion: Results of study revealed that the educational program might improve the health beliefs of the students regarding HIV preventive behaviors. Therefore it is recommended to high schools if the training program be approved by other studies.

---

Background & Aim: Cancers are the second cause of death after cardiovascular diseases globally. Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer in the world. This cancer is the third leading cause of death in America and one of the most prevalent cancers of the gastrointestinal tract in Iran. The purpose of this study was to estimate the survival rate of patients with gastric cancer in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran.

Methods: The present observational (the analytical type) study was conducted using the longitudinal and survival study methods. The population study included all patients with gastric cancer in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. The samples were selected by the census method and all the patients diagnosed with colorectal between the years 2000 to 2010 (estimated to be about 452 cases). After collecting the data and coding them, they were inserted into the SPSS 16 and STATA 12 software. To investigate the survival and the factors influencing the survival time of patients which was the main objective of this study, the Kaplan-Meier method was used. In order to compare the survival function in different subgroups, the log rank test or generalized Wilcoxon test was used.

Results: From the total 452 patients with colorectal cancer, 232 cases were male (51.3%) and 220 were females (48.7%), respectively. The mean age of patients was 59.12 ±19.99 years at the time of diagnosis. The median age of patients was 60 years. The probability of survival at 1, 5 and 10 years after diagnosis of colorectal cancer in both sexes using the Kaplan-Meier was 85.7%, 71.9,% 52.5% respectively.

Conclusion: Although the survival rate of patients with colorectal cancer in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province was at a desirable level, the need for further studies to identify prognostic factors is essential.

---

Abstract

 

Background and Aim: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most important reproductive and endocrine disorders in women. Evening primrose oil is a phytosterogenic plants, and there are many reports about the effects of phytoestrogens on the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Regarding the side effects of existing drugs, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of evening primrose oil (EPO) on changes in sex hormones, serum glucose and insulin levels and insulin sensitivity in PCOS.

 

Methods: In this experimental study 30 female Sprague Dawley rats with regular sexual cycle were divided into five groups (n=6). Group 1: control. Group 2: (control treatment) received evening primrose oil gavage at dose of 1000mg/kg for 21 days. Group 3: PCOS induced by estradiol valerate. Group 4: After induction of PCOS received evening primrose oil gavage at dose of 1000mg/kg for 21 days. Group 5: After induction of PCOS received evening primrose oil gavage at dose of 2000mg/kg for 21 days. Finally, blood samples were collected from heart and then sex hormones, glucose and insulin concentrations were determined. The results were analyzed by SPSS software using one-way ANOVA and Duncan 's test.

 

Results: The FSH level increased significantly in the fourth and fifth groups compared to the third (p <0.05). Levels of LH and testosterone levels were significantly lower in the fourth and fifth groups than the third group (p <0.05). There was no significant difference in the level of FSH and LH among the other groups. The serum levels of insulin and glucose in the fourth and fifth groups were significantly lower than the third group (p <0.05). Also, insulin sensitivity was higher in the treatment groups than in the third group (p <0.05). There was no significant difference in insulin, glucose and insulin sensitivity among other groups.

 

Conclusions: By changing the concentration of FSH, LH and testosterone hormones in polycystic ovary syndrome, evening primrose oil, can reduce the complications of these hormonal changes. EPO also reduces insulin and serum glucose and increases insulin sensitivity in PCOS. With more complete studies, Evening primrose oil can be recommended as a good alternative to chemical drugs for the treatment of PCOS.