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Background and Objective: Birth defects are important causes of childhood morbidity and disability. This study was done to determine the incidence and pattern of birth defects in live birth in cities of Golestan province, north of Iran. Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 92420 live births in 13 hospitals in Golestan province, northern Iran from 21 January 2008 to 20 March 2011. The newborns were examined for the presence of birth defects. Gender, type of birth defects and residency of parents according to city in Golestan province was recorded for each newborn. Results: The incidence rate of birth defects, in Gorgan, Kordkoy, Aliabad and Gonbad was 20.46, 12.53, 10.86, and 8.99 per 1,000 live births, respectively. The incidence rate of birth defects western area (including Kordkoy, Bandargaz and Kordkoy), center (Gorgan, Capital city) and eastern area (including Aliabad, Gonbad, Minodasht and Kalaleh) of Golestan province) was 9.3, 20.46 and 8.79 per 1,000 live births, respectively. Cardiovascular anomaly was the most frequent birth defects. Conclusion: The incidence rate of birth defects varies in diferent area of Golestan provine and overally was lower than the other region in Iran.

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Background and Objective: Vitiligo is one of the most frequent skin disorders with a prevalence of 1-2% in different populations. Although many theories have been suggested for its pathogenesis, but the most popular hypotheses is the role of autoimmunity in Vitiligo. This study was done to evaluate the thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoantibodies in patients with Vitiligo.

Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 45 patients with Vitiligo and 45 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals as control group. Age, gender, duration of the disease and type of Vitiligo were collected through a standard questionnaire. Thyroid autoantibodies including thyroglobulin antibody, anti- thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibody, and anti-TPO thyroid hormones Tetraiodothyronine (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in Vitiligo patients and healthy volunteers were measeared.

Results: Serum level of T4 was significantly reduced in Vitiligo patient compared to controls (P<0.05). Serum level of T4 in 20% of Vitiligo patient and 2.2% of control cases was less the normal level. Anti-TPO in 14 (31.1%) of Vitiligo patient and 6 (13.3%) of controls were higher than normal range (<60 IU/m) (P<0.05). Serum level of anti- thyroglobulin was significantly higher in those with Vitiligo in compared to controls (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that the thyroid dysfunction particularly hypothyroidism and anti-TPO is more common in Vitiligo patients.

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Background and Objective: Propofol is one of the most commonly used drugs in anesthesia with the pain during an injection is a side effect of this drug. This study was conducted to compare the effect of Lidocaine, Magnesium Sulfate, and Ketamine on reducing pain caused by intravenous injection of Propofol in patients Undergoing surgery.
Methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial study, 80 patients aged 18 to 65 years were randomly blocked and assigned into four groups including Lidocaine, Ketamine, Magnesium Sulfate and Normal Saline. The pain was measured with the Ambesh Score. Hemodynamic changes of patients were evaluated in 1, 3, and 5 minutes.
Results: The patients in Lidocaine, Ketamine, and Magnesium Sulfate groups with 75%, 70%, and 55%, respectively, did not feel pain after Propofol injection compared to Normal Saline group (25%) (P<0.05). The mean time trend of Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure between the studied groups were significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The use of Lidocaine or Ketamine during Propofol injection can be effective in reducing pain during injection in patients undergo surgery.