Introduction: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is one of the important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction and increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) result in cardiovascular complications. Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are two adhesion molecules that are markers of early atherosclerosis and play a significant role in developing atherosclerosis. Aim:To evaluate CIMT and its association with the levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in children and adolescents with T1DM. Materials and Methods:In this descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted between April 2013 and September 2014, 29 children aged 7-20 years with T1DM for at least two years and 29 age and sex-matched, healthy individuals were evaluated.Plasma level of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was measured by ELISA, and CIMT via Doppler ultrasound was also assessed. The data were analysed by t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient in SPSS 16.0 (p≤0.05).Results: Independent t-test indicated that there is a significant difference in ICAM-1 level between the patients and controls (p<0.001). Further, CIMT was significantly higher in diabetic subject (p<0.001). CIMT was not significantly associated with the level of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the patients (p>0.5). Conclusion:ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were not associated with CIMT but, CIMT and level of ICAM-1 were significantly, higher in diabetic patients, and therefore could be used as useful tools for identification of early atherosclerosis in children and adolescents with T1DM.Noushin Rostampour et al., Vascular Endothelial Markers and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness www.jcdr.net

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Background: Thalassemia is considered as a group of genetic blood disorders, characterized by anemia. The present research aimed at evaluating the effects of aquatic exercise on quality of life and blood indices in patients with beta-thalassemia major. Methods: A clinical trial study involving 40 patients with thalassemia major, divided into two groups: experimental and control. The tools used to collect the data included demographic information questionnaire, blood indicators questionnaire, and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire. The experimental group performed exercise in water three times per week for 8 weeks in the pool after obtaining the consent. In this research, the quality of life questionnaire was filled out 24 h before the intervention, 24 h after the last session of the exercise program, and 2 months after the end of the exercise program. Results: The current research revealed that exercise in water affected the quality of life, hemoglobin, hematocrit, iron and ferritin of serum such that the mean score of quality of life and blood indicators in the study showed a significant difference in the experimental group. Conclusions: The use of a regular exercise program combined with drug therapy and blood transfusion can be useful in the treatment of beta-thalassemia patients.

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