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Background: There are different controversial reports about Zinc status in healthy and normal population. The aim of this study is to evaluate Zinc status in normal and healthy population. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on 320 subjects aged between 10 -30 years without any underlying diseases or history of mineral therapy in Zahedan, south east of Iran. Zinc level was measured in all subjects after 12 hours fasting. All blood samples were centrifuged following 45 minutes spontaneous coagulation and then stored at -20°C. Zinc level was measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, Varian, Australia (spectr AA 240fs, 2009, USA).

Background: Homeless people are prone to sexually transmitted and blood-borne infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV due to their risky behaviors and low awareness of various diseases. Objectives: Thus, the present research aimed to examine the epidemiologic patterns of HBV, HCV, HIV, and related factors among the homeless population of Zahedan in 2019. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 329 homeless people. Eligible people were selected using a convenience sampling method from homeless individuals residing in care centers affiliated with the Welfare Organization and the Health Deputy of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. Data on the demographic and behavioral characteristics of the cases were collected through a structured questionnaire completed in face-to-face interviews. A 10 cc blood sample was taken from each of the cases for serological tests of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. The test results and collected data were entered in SPSS16 software. Logistic regression analysis and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Results: The majority of the cases (84%) were males, and 59% were in the age-group of 35 - 50 years. Of the subjects, 93% had a history of drug abuse, 74% reported a history of smoking, and 45% had tattoos. The prevalence of hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV was 13%, 2.7%, and 0.3%, respectively (only one case of HIV was identified). In a multi-variate model, imprisonment history [OR = 2.32 (1.08 - 4.98)], history of sexual abuse [OR = 3.73 (1.36 - 10.26)], being widowed or divorced [OR = 2.83, (1.21 - 6.64)], and history of injection with shared needles and syringes [OR = 5.11 (1.97 - 13.28)] remained the predicting factors of hepatitis C. Conclusions: Based on the obtained results of the study, homeless people are more prone to infections with HCV, HBV, and HIV due to their risky behaviors. Therefore, a need is highlighted for preventive interventions and developing the level of health literacy in this group regarding behaviors contributing to the aforementioned infections.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of world health problems and its prevalence and incidence is increasing. Chronic Kidney Failure involves a range of pathophysiologic processes that are associated with impaired renal function, leading to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Renal artery resistive index (RI) is indicator of atherosclerotic change in small vessels. The current study was aimed to assess RI in diabetic nephropathy patients at stage 0-4 and to compare RRI with HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In this cross sectional study,100 diabetic nephropathy patients who attend to nephrology clinic of Ali-ibn Abi Talib Hospital were entered to the study. Ultrasound Doppler renal resistive index was measured and other information was recorded from their last lab data that was recorded in their medical records. Variable included: systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, albuminuria, GFR, HbA1c. All data was analyzed by Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. The findings indicated a significant correlation of RI with systolic BP (p=0.04 R=0.75), microalbuminuria (P=0.001 R=0.67), and GFR (P=0.001 R=0.76), while diastolic BP (P=0/45 R=0/32), HbA1c (P=0/56 R=0/43) were not found to be associated with RI. The findings indicated that increased systolic blood pressure, albumin excretion (microalbuminuria) and severity of disease were capable of increasing RI values in diabetic nephropathy patients. In addition, decreased GFR.

Background: Croup, or acute laryngotracheobronchitis, is the most common cause of upper airway obstruction in children. Objectives: In this study, the efficacies of intramuscular and oral dexamethasone administration are compared for treatment of croup. Patients and Methods: This is a single-blind randomized trial involving 68 children divided into two groups, the first group received 0.6 mg/kg intramuscular dexamethasone and the second group received 0.6 mg/kg oral dexamethasone. The clinical score, respiratory rate, heart rate, O2 saturation and clinical response were assessed before and then hourly for four hours after treatment. Results: The respiratory rate of two groups was significantly different at the first hour of treatment (P = 0.02), but it did not vary between study groups at the second, third, and fourth hour of treatment. There was no statistical difference among clinical score, heart rate, O2 saturation and clinical response in any of the measurement times. Conclusions: Oral and intramuscular administrations have the same effectiveness for treatment of croup and oral dexamethasone was proposed because this is a non-invasive procedure.