[ effect of maternal anemia and umbilical cord cortisol level on birth weight and length]

Background and Aims: Maternal anemia in pregnancy is a considerable risk factor for both mother and fetus. Growth retardation, intra uterine fetal death, maternal cardiovascular symptoms and reduction in blood supply are among outcomes of maternal anemia. Since there are different reports about the relationship between low maternal hemoglobin level and low birght weight, the precent study was designed to determine the relationship of maternal iron deficiency in pregnancy and umbilical cord cortisol level with neonatal weight and length

Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 500 pregnant women reffered for elective cesarean. At first, blood sample was taken for determining hemoglobin level. Then, in anemic ones [Hb<11], blood sample was taken to determin iron deficiency indices. After cesarean, blood sample was taken for determining the umbilical cord cortisol level. Data were analyzed through SPSS 20

Results: In mothers with normal hemoglobin, neonate's weight and length were significantly higher [P=0.030, P=0.039]. Umbilical cortisol level had a significant relationship with birth weight and length [P=0.001, P=0.001], but there was no significant correlation between maternal hemoglobin level and umbilical cord cortisol level

Conclusion: Maternal anemia changes the angiogenesis in placental vessels and causes growth retardation and pregnancy complications due to creating stress in mother and increasing CRH. The results of this study highlight the importance of maintaining the hemoglobin level in normal range with prescription of iron products in iron deficiency anemia and removing the risk factors of maternal hemoglobin increment. Due to the meaningful relation between umbilical cord cortisol with birth weight [direct relation] and length [indirect relation], more studies about the maternal anemia, maternal cortisol and another factors influencing on umbilical cord cortisol level are suggested

[Correlation of serum pro-inflammatory [IL 6] and anti-inflammatory [IL 10] interleukine levels with fatty acid composition of dietary oils in rats]

Nowadays, proposing dietary recommendations to regulate serum inflammatory mediators is of immense importance. This study is designed to evaluate the effects of different commercial dietary oils which have more complicated effects than pure fatty acids on serum levels of interleukins IL 6 and IL 10. In this experimental animal study, 40 male rats were divided into 5 groups and received standard chow diet for 3 weeks. At the end of the 3[rd] week, four rats from each of the 5 groups were sacrificed and blood samples were collected. The remaining rats then received chow diet or an experimental diet containing yogurt butter, olive oil, soybean oil, or flaxseed oil for another 4 weeks. Then, blood samples were collected and serum fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography and serum levels of interleukins were obtained by use of ELISA kits. We used variance analysis for comparison of the mean values and regression analysis for assessment of correlation among variables. Consumption of yogurt butter and soybean oil significantly increased serum level of IL 6, whereas IL 10 level increased after consumption of flaxseed oil [p<0.05]. Increase in serum n-6 PUFA, led to a notable increase in IL 6 concentration, but increase in serum MUFA gave rise to decreased IL 6 level. A direct relationship was observed between the levels of arachidonic acid and IL 6. In addition, the level of IL 6 decreased when serum decosahexaenoic acid increased. We showed that composition of serum fatty acids can modulate concentrations of the interleukins. Using oils containing n-6 PUFA led to generation of pro inflammatory mediators, but oils containing n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids showed anti inflammatory effects.

[Association between duration of daily visual display terminal [VDT] use and sleep disturbances among bank tellers in Sanandaj-Kurdistan of Iran in 2010-2011]

Visual display terminals [VDT] are standard equipment for many office workers. Their use, however, may increase the risk of developing adverse conditions related to vision, the musculoskeletal system, and mental health such as insomnia. In this study, we examined the relationship between duration of daily VDT use and insomnia in bank tellers. In this cross-sectional study, 382 bank tellers working with VDT who met our inclusion criteria were selected randomly. Their demographic data, sleep quality, and stress information were collected by AIS and DCM model questionnaires. We used SPSS 15 software for data processing. Chi-square and independent t-test were used for data analysis. The results showed that the insomnia symptoms score were significantly higher in the participants using VDT more than 6 hours/day [P<0.001]. To protect bank tellers from VDT adverse effects, we recommend restriction of daily work time in these terminals to less than 6 hours, and planning for work-rest periodic times during working shift

[Different effects of dietary fats on serum fatty acid composition and lipid profile in rat]

The correlation between dietary fat and coronary heart disease [CHD] has been clearly established. This study was designed to investigate the effects of different dietary oils on serum fatty acid composition and lipid profile in rats. In this experimental study, 40 male rats were assigned to 5 groups and received standard chow diet for 3 weeks. At the end of the 3rd week, blood samples were obtained from four rats in every group. The remaining rats received standard chow diet or experimental diet [chow diet supplemented with yogurt butter, olive oil, soybean oil, or flaxseed oil for another 4 weeks. Serum fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography whereas serum lipids were determined by use of enzyme kits. Total saturated, monounsaturated, and n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFA] were significantly higher in the rats which received yogurt butter, olive, soybean, and flaxseed oils, respectively. In addition, consumption of olive, soybean, and flaxseed oil markedly increased total unsaturated fatty acids. There was a significant increase in total PUFA after consumption of soybean or flaxseed oils in comparison to yogurt butter. A marked reduction was observed in n 6:n 3 PUFA ratio in the rats that consumed flaxseed oil. Serum triglycerides significantly decreased after consumption of olive, soybean, and flaxseed oils, whereas no change was observed in the total cholesterol. Olive oil and yogurt butter consumption led to increased HDL-C, but a noticeable decrease occurred in LDL-C in the rats of all test groups. Different dietary oils differentially affect serum fatty acid composition and serum lipid profiles

[ Survey of causes of occupational accidents at working place under protection of Yazd social security organization in 2005]

In rapid development in industrialization, lack of attention to safety principles causes a raise in work-related incidents. According to ILO, around one-third of work-related deaths is due to. The aim of our study is to survey the causes of occupational incidents at working place under protection of Yazd Social Security Organization in 1384. This is a descriptive study that was done to determine the incident frequency and factors affecting on it. The study included 776 incidents selected among all of the incidents occurred in 1384 in Yazd. The data were collected from available information in social security organization. The findings showed that the center of province, has had the most number of incidents [%41 .2]. Also, the mean age of people who had incident was 29.5. The most causes of incident were related to falling down [%20.8]; fingers were injured more than other parts [%3 1.5]. The highest consequence of the incidents was related to injuries [%34]. The distribution of age among the subjects indicated the prevalence of incident in young workers more than others, which is in the same line with other researches. The cause of most incidents was falling

[ study of changes in the serial peak flowmetery test in the workers of car painting workshops in Isfahan]

Workers working in car painting workshops are exposed to different contaminants including isocyanates. One of the most important sequelae of this exposure is occupational asthma. The aim of this study was to identify alterations in peak expiratory flow test in the workers working in the car painting workshops. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. 43 workers were selected randomly from the car painting workplaces in Isfahan. The peak expiratory flow of the workers was measured by means of a peak flow meter set at the beginning and at the end of the work shift, for one week. The mean percentage of alterations in peak expiratory flow was 6.91% on the first day and 8.11% on the last day of week. The mean percentage of alternation of peak expiratory flow of the workers were 11.2 +/- 1.8 and 7.9 +/- 1.9 an the day of exposure to the contaminants after painting, and also one day after exposure respectively, which was indicative of pathological changes in the lungs of the workers, as shown by standard tests of pulmonary function. 72% of the workers after exposure to the contaminants showed alternation of more than 10% in the peak expiratory flow. This study showed there is high risk of occupational asthma and other lung diseases in the workers working in car painting workshops and peak flow meter test can be useful for assessment of pulmonary disorders

[Effect of role modeling through theater show in oral health education]

There are different methods of oral health education for child population. Theater show is a method that has not received enough attention until now. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of using theater show on dental health education in Yazd femal elementary students. This was a quasi experimental study performed by using pre- and post-test method in Iran over the year 2004. One elementary school from each region of the city was selected. Twenty students from each grade of each school were included in the study [n=200]. The information on knowledge, attitudes and practice of oral health were collected by using a valid and reliable questionnaire before and after theater show performance. Data were analyzed using SPSS and Wilcoxon signed rank test. This study showed that the theater show could improve knowledge, attitude and proper oral health practice of children. The effect of the theater show on knowledge was more than attitude and was more on attitude than practice [P<0.001]. Only literacy on the part of mothers was significantly correlated with practice [P=0.021]. There were significant correlations between Knowledge [P=0.020], Attitude [P=0.0001] and oral health Practice [P=0.022] with students' grade level. This study showed that using theater show for oral health education, could improve the oral health related knowledge, attitude and proper oral health practice by elementary school students

Application of a hazard and operability study method to hazard evaluation of a chemical unit of the power station

The aim of this study was to identify the hazards, evaluate their risk factors and determine the measure for promotion of the process and reduction of accidents in the chemical unit of the power station. In this case and qualitative study, HAZOP technique was used to recognize the hazards and problems of operations on the chemical section at power station. Totally, 126 deviations were documented with various causes and consequences. Ranking and evaluation of identified risks indicate that the majority of deviations were categorized as "acceptable" and less than half of that were "unacceptable". The highest calculated risk level [1B] related to both the interruption of acid entry to the discharge pumps and an increased density of the acid. About 27% of the deviations had the lowest risk level [4B]. The identification of hazards by HAZOP indicates that it could, systemically, assess and criticize the process of consumption or production of acid and alkali in the chemical unit of power plant

[Study of changes in cellular surface glycoproteins of alveolar macrophages in fibrotic lung disorders]

The respiratory system is both a route of entry and exit for toxins and injurious agents, as well as being a target for chemical substances and pathogens. Therefore, an understanding of the structure and function of the migratory cell populations of pulmonary tissues including alveolar macrophages is central in a number of important disease processes. This study aimed to identify and specify the glycotypes of alveolar macrophages in fibrotic lung disorders. Sections of paraffin-embedded tissue from 40 cases in both normal human lung and fibrotic lung disorders were studied by immunohistology and by lectin histochemistry with a panel of 27 biotinylated lectins. The findings of this study showed that ten lectins [AHA, PTL-II, AAA,, LTA, UEA-I, BSA-1B4, VVA, SBA, DBA, PTL-I] did not bind to the alveolar macrophages in any of the cases, whereas 17 lectins [GNA, NPA, HHA, l-PHA, e-PHA, LCA, PSA, ConA, LEA, PAA, s-WGA, ECA, MPA,HPA, WFA, SNA, MAA[ bound from moderately to strongly. In contrast, in fibrotic lung disorders some glycans were somewhat more marked or changed. Glycans terminating in beta-galactose, terminal Galbeta1,3GalNAc and subsets of GalNAc also appeared in alveolar macrophages of fibrotic lung disorders. L-fucosylated and terminal alpha-linked galactosyl glycans were also detected in diseases states. Subsets of N-glycans were either changed minimally or not at all