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The etiology of androgenic alopecia (AGA) involves several factors, including genetics, androgens, age and nutrition. Digit-length ratio of the index and ring finger (2D:4D) is an indicator of prenatal exposure to sex hormones. There is a paucity of studies that systemically review the possible positive predictive value of 2D:4D in the development of AGA. We performed a single-site, descriptive-analytical study among a racially homogeneous population. Our results revealed that no significant association was determined between right 2D:4D and AGA severity within our entire population (P=0.384, r=0.025), however a positive correlation coefficient was identified in subjects above the age of 40. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, 2D:4D does not predict the development of AGA. AGA is truly a multifactorial disease. Further, our findings suggest that increased in utero exposure to androgens as a fetus does not predispose men to develop AGA.

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Recently a novel DNA virus (Torque Teno Virus (TTV) has been identified in Japan and shown to be associated with elevated aminotransferase s levels after transfusion. However the exact role of TTV in pathogenesis of liver disease is yet to be established. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of TTV in thalassemic patients and its relationship with elevated alanine-aminotransfrase (ALT) and aspartateaminotransfrase (AST). This cross-sectional analysis study was conducted on 452 thallasemic patients. Serums were collected from all of the patients, first ALT and AST levels were determined. Then, after DNA extraction, TTV DNA was amplified and detected using semi-nested PCR, followed by gel electrophoresis. Demographic characteristics and clinical data were collected from each participant for statistical analysis. The findings showed that 160 of 452 (35.4%) samples had TTV DNA detected by PCR. From 160 TTV DNA positive, 98 (61.20%) were female and 62 (38.80%) of them were male (P=0.549). The mean ALT and AST values in TTV positive group were higher than in TTV negative group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.0001). The result showed that the prevalence of TTV in thalassemic patients in Jahrom is less than other studies in Iran and the mean ALT and AST values in TTV positive individuals were about 2 times more than in TTV negative individuals.

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Background and objective: Nowadays, Cesarean is the most common surgery among women, and anesthesia is an elective technique in these surgeries. Unfortunately, spinal anesthesia in Cesarean section is associated with high incidence of nausea and vomiting. The aim of this research is the comparison of the effects of propofol and midazolam on nausea and vomiting in pregnant women undergoing elective Cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. Methodology:We conducted a double-blind clinical trial recruiting 42 patients aged 15 years to 35 years with ASA class I and II who were undergoing Cesarean section that divided into two groups. Both groups were treated with 7 ml/kg of Ringers solution. Patients had spinal anesthesia with 65 mg of 5% lidocaine and then 1.5 cc midazolam and 2 cc propofol were intravenously administered to patients in Group A and Group B, respectively. Also, after the baby was born, Apgar score was measured at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. The obtained data were analyzed using repeated measurement and chi-square tests in SPSS software. Level of significance was determined to be p<0.05. Findings:Comparison of the antiemetic effects of propofol and midazolam in pregnant women after elective caesarean section showed that in all minutes, except in the thirtieth minute, nausea and vomiting were higher in the midazolam group and a significant difference was observed between two groups in this regard (p=0.96).Results: Administration of propofol immediately after spinal anesthesia was more effective in reducing nausea and vomiting, compared to administration of midazolam.

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the association of sonographic parameters with the serum levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (Tg), and thyroid hormones in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Methods 149 patients (118 females, 31 males; aged 18–60 years; mean age: 38.60 ± 8.03 years) who were diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis were enrolled in the study. Blood sample was taken to measure the serum levels of free T3 and T4, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-TPO antibody titers, and anti-Tg antibody titers. The thyroid sonography of each patient was classified into one of the five grades by real-time ultrasonography (US) based on echogenicity, thyroid size, and thyroid pattern. We evaluated whether a correlation existed between thyroid characteristics on US and serum levels of thyroid hormones, anti-TPO and anti-Tg. Results Nodular structures were detected in 54 (36.2%) patients (38 micronodular and 16 macros nodular). Echogenicity was recorded as isoechoic in 15 (10.07%) and hypoechoic in 119 (79.87%) subjects. Euthyroid ‎subjects had significantly thicker isthmus than overt and subclinical hypothyroid patients (p = 0.018). Mean serum TSH, anti-Tg and anti-TPO titers was significantly higher in patients with micronodules than those with micronodules and subjects without nodules (P < 0.05). Isthmus thickness had a significant negative correlation with FT4 and FT3 (P = 0.046; r = 0.11& P = 0.017; r = 0.15, respectively). Thyroid autoantibodies had positive significant correlations with different parameters of the thyroid volume (P < 0.05). Conclusions Thyroid’s US findings in addition to serum levels of anti-Tg and anti-TPO titers would be useful in diagnosis and evaluation of the severity and extent of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but further evaluations are needed. Trial registration: Trial registry identifier IR.SUMS.REC.1395.S161 (2015/11/30).

Thalassemias are heterogeneous group of inherited anemias caused by various mutations in the genes encoding the synthesis of α α α α α or β β β β β-chains of hemoglobin. It seems that there are some aspects in thalassemia that protect minor thalassemic patients from coronary heart disease. From those aspects we can count such as low serum lipoproteins, low arterial hypertension, and anemia and so on. A cross sectional descriptive and analytical study was designed to compare some lab data of minor thalassemic students and others. So 570 preschool children (6-7 years of age) and 450 pre-college students (17-19 year of age) in 4 educational discrete of Shiraz (center of Fars province-Iran) were selected in a random cluster manner were tested for CBC and serum lipids (TG, cholesterol, LDL, HDL) and were screened for minor thalassemia by CBC and HbA 2 (by column chromatography). For definition of minor thalassemia as cut-off Point HbA 2 ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 3.5% was accepted. After selection of minor thalassemic patients, serum lipids (TG, cholesterol, HDL, LDL) for them and control group were checked. According to this study in preschool children there is no significant difference between minor thalassemic patients and control group. In pre-collage students TG in control group is lesser than minor beta thalassemic patients (P value=0.004); but total cholesterol and LDL in patients group is lesser than control group and difference is significant. Total cholesterol and LDL in pre-college beta thalassemia minor students are lesser than control group. But TG in control group is lesser than patients group. According to this study in preschool children there is no significant difference in serum lipids between minor thalassemic students and control group.