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Background and Aim: Considering the physical and psychological benefits of aerobic exercise and complications of menstrual disorders as familial and social problems, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on menstrual cycle disorders and levels of estrogen and progesterone in non athlete women.

Material and Methods: In this study, 20 women with menstrual disorder were randomly divided into two experimental (age: 23.6±3.1 years, height: 161.0±4.2 cm, weight: 58.2± 6.2 kg) and control groups (age: 23.4±3.2 years, height: 162±5.1cm, weight: 57.5± 7.1kg). The experimental group performed 8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise with 60-85% MHR. Before and after the training period, blood samples were taken from the subjects in the follicular phase to measure the levels of sex hormones. The subjects were asked to fill out the standard questionnaire for identification of the kind of menstrual disorders. Levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones were measured using electrochemiluminescence method. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS20. p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: In the experimental group, we found a significant decrease in Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS Pain) after 8 weeks of moderate intensity exercise compared to pre exercise stage and also control groups (p<0.01). In addition, serum levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones significantly increased in comparison to pre exercise stage and control groups (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Regular moderate intensity endurance exercise decreases menstrual disorders probably due to increase in the estrogen and progesterone secretion. Therefore, these exercise training programs can be used as a preventive, therapeutic or adjunctive measure to control dysmenorrhea and other menstrual disorders.

Keywords: Endurance Training, Estrogen, Progesterone, Menstrual disorders.

Received: Nov 07, 2015      Accepted: Mar 06, 2016

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Background And Aim: Suicide is a social problem which can be influenced by geographical, cultural, economic, social, and environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis in order to evaluate the relationship of  rates of suicide attempts and successful suicides with seven climatic conditions in Iran.

Materials and methods: The present study was a systematic review and meta-analysis on the incidence rates of suicide attempts and successful suicide in seven climatic areas of Iran which was carried out by reviewing the published papers between 2001 and 2014. Using the  keywords suicide, attempted suicide, incidence, Iran and combined terms, two trained investigators searched SID, ISI, Pubmed, Google Scholar, Irandoc, Scopus, and Magiran databases and all the relevant articles were extracted independently by them. The results were analyzed by using weighted average and Poisson distribution. 

Results: Among 74 articles,  30 were eligible for our study. The highest level of suicide attempts belonged to the climate area 5 (Isfahan, Yazd, Semnan and Qom cities ) with and incidence rate of 114.7/100000 people and the least belonged to the climate area 6(Chaharmahal and Bakhtiaree, kohkiloyeh and BoyerAhmad, Khuzestan Province) with the incidence rate of 37/ 100000 people. The highest and lowest incidence rates of successful suicide belonged to climate area 1 (Ilam, Lorestan, Hamadan, Kurdistan and Kermanshah) and climate area 5  with incidence rates of 12.9 and 2.8/100000 people respectively. Climate zone 5 had the highest incidence rate of suicide attempts and lowest rate of successful suicide.

Conclusion: According  to the findings of this study, the incidence of suicide and successful suicide can be influenced  by climatic factors. Based on the results of the studies conducted in different regions of the world, geographical and climatic factors can affect the incidence rates of suicide attempts and successful suicides. This was an ecological study. In order to find  the association of climate factors with suicide attempts and successful suicides, further studies should be done on individual level.

Keywords: Seven climatic conditions , Suicide attempt, Iran, Incidence, Successful suicide, Meta-analysis.

Received: Jan 10, 2016      Accepted: Jul 19, 2016

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Background and Aim: Congenital hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder and is one of the main causes of mental retardation in the newborns. Genetic, environmental and geographical factors are associated with the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence rate and correlation of geographical factors with congenital hypothyroidism in Ilam Province.
Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive analytical study and evaluated the incidence rate and geographical distribution of congenital hypothyroidism in the newborns in Ilam Province from the beginning of 2006 to the end of 2016. We studied the results of heel samples of the newborns between 3 to 5 days of age who had been screened for congenital hypothyroidism in the referral laboratories of the health centers of the health department of the Ilam University of Medical Sciences in all cities of Ilam Province. We used ArcGIS (ver 10.3) software for evaluation of geographical distribution. Statistical tests of Poisson regression and scatter plot were used to investigate the relationship between geographical factors and the incidence rate of congenital hypothyroidism. Data analysis was performed by use of SPSS 16 software.
Results: Based on the findings of the screening of 106900 newborns born in Ilam Province, the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism in this study was 2.61 in 1000 live births (2.7 male newborns / 1000 live births, and 2.48 female newborns / 1000 live births). Among all the patients 55.4% were male and 44.6% were female. There was a significant correlation between the mean annual rainfall and herbal coverage with congenital hypothyroidism (p<0.05). Mean annual temperature, sunlight and relative humidity had no significant relationship with the disease (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, incidence of congenital hypothyroidism is high in Ilam Province. Abdanan and Ilam cities had the highest incidence rates of hypothyroidism and are among the high risk hotspots of the disease. As a result, authorities should take appropriate measures in order to control and reduce the incidence of this disease in the province. Also, among the geographical factors, the mean annual rainfall, herbal coverage and sunlight were associated with congenital hypothyroidism.

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Background and Aim: Excessive interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) in hemodialysis (HD) patients has serious effects. Therefore patients should follow a fluid-restriction diet. Non-adherence to fluid restriction can lead to excessive IDWG. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ice chips on thirst, xerostomia and IDWG in HD patients.

Materials and Methods: This one- group pretest- posttest study included 49 HD patients and had three stages. In the first week (baseline stage) the patients received instructions for three sessions. In the second week (liquid stage) patients consumed fluid for one week and in the third week (ice chip stage) patients consumed fluid and ice intermittently for one week. Weights of the patients were measured before and after every dialysis session. Thirst and dry mouth were evaluated only before the dialysis session. Using SPSS version 16, data were analyzed by t-test and Wilcoxon tests.

Results: The average IDWG (p=0.001) and xerostomia scores (p=0.041) in the two stages of fluid and ice chips were significantly different. Comparison of the thirst scores (p=0.127) between the two stages of fluids and ice chips showed no significant difference.
Conclusion: Consumption of ice chips led to reduction in IDWG which was indicative of less fluid consumption by the patients. This is one of the most important goals of care in HD patients, and can be used as an educational recommendation for them

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Abstract
Background and Aim: Acute respiratory distress syndrome is one of the main causes of death in neonates. Studies have shown that 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 [25(OH) D3] has a significant effect on fetal lung growth and can be related to acute respiratory distress. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between serum 25 OH Vitamin D3 levels and acute respiratory distress syndrome in premature neonates.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a case-control study in which 105 premature neonates with acute respiratory distress syndrome were selected as the case group and 35 premature neonates without acute respiratory distress syndrome were selected as the control group from the neonatal intensive care unit of Bahar Hospital (Shahroud, Iran) in 2019 and 2021. Then, serum 25 OH Vitamin D3 levels of the neonates and mothers were measured 24 hours after birth.
Results: the average serum 25 OH Vitamin D3 level in neonates and mothers was 19.53±10.71 and 28.57±15.26 ng/ml, respectively. The average serum level of 25 OH Vitamin D3 in neonates of the case group was 15.27±7.08 ng/ml; in the control group, it was 32.34±9.53 ng/ml. The average duration of hospitalization in neonates with ARDS with 25 OH Vitamin D3 deficiency was longer than that of neonates with normal 25 OH Vitamin D3. Also, in ARDS neonates with 25 OH Vitamin D3 deficiency, 12.5%, 71.9%, and 78.1% needed ventilators, surfactant, and Continuous positive airway pressure, respectively.
Conclusions: Based on the findings, neonates with ARDS were more deficient and had insufficient levels of 25 OH Vitamin D3 than healthy neonates. Also, 25 OH Vitamin D3 deficiency in sick neonates led to an increase in the need for clinical interventions including surfactant administration, mechanical ventilation, and Continuous positive airway pressure.