Body dysmorphic disorder in aesthetic rhinoplasty candidates

Body Dysmorphic Disorder [BDD] is a psychiatric disorder defined as obsessive ideas about distorted physical appearance, leading to social, professional and personal dysfunction. Many of these patients seek aesthetic surgery and are generally dissatisfied with the outcome of their surgery. In the present study patients coming to the otolaryngology clinic of Thaleghani Hospital in Tehran seeking rhinoplasty were evaluated. Between October 2010 and October 2011, 130 patients seeking rhinoplasty were recruited in a cross-sectional study. These patients were consecutively interviewed in the otolaryngology clinic of Taleghani Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Questionnaires were filled containing demographic data. BDD was evaluated by a separate questionnaire. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] questionnaire was filled to evaluate depression and anxiety. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software. The frequency and standard deviations were calculated. Differences between groups were evaluated by using the chi-square, and t-tests. Ninety nine [76.2%] of rhinoplasty candidates were female and thirty one [23.8%] were male. Eighty five [65.4%] were single and thirty eight [29.2%] were married while seven were divorced. About 63.8% were University students or University graduates. Mean age was 26.43 +/- 6.29 years old. 41 patients [31.5%] had BDD. Among BDD patients 12 [29.3%] had concurrent depression and 11 [26.8%] had concurrent anxiety. No statistically significant correlation was found between the presence or severity of BDD and age, gender, marital status, level of education and profession. Considering the high prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder [BDD] among rhinoplasty candidates, psychiatric evaluation is advisable before surgery to avoid unnecessary operations and patient dissatisfaction

[Evaluation of bacteria isolated from industrial wastewaters in removal of lead]

Lead is a metal which has the most destructive effect on infants and fetuses. Moreover, it has negative biochemical effects on all persons including the destructive effects on the kidneys, digestive system, intestine, joints, and reproductive system and may cause acute or chronic damage to the nervous system. The aim of this research was screening the bacterial biosorbents with high capacity for absorbing lead among other microorganisms. At first, by using medium containing of determined concentration of Pb [NO[3]][2], resistant bacterial isolates were received from three wastewater samples collected from the cities of Qom and Qazvin. Then, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of mentioned isolates was determined by agar dilution method. In order to identify isolates with metal uptake ability, a particular method [Pumpel et al, 1995] was used. At a later stage, biosorption capacity of lead for each isolate with metal uptake ability was investigated by using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Finally, after selection and identification of two effective isolates in removal of lead, optimizing the biosorption conditions was carried out in several steps. Out of 29 bacterial isolates that received, 15 lead resistant isolates with MIC >/= 7mM were selected in order to study lead uptake ability that resulted in selection of isolates Q-III and P-II with biosorption values of 162.8 mg g-1dw and 125.6 mg g-1dw, respectively. On the other hand, the maximum biosorption capacity of lead was observed by isolate Q-III in optimum conditions including contact time 2 h, pH 5, wet biomass concentration 0.5g and for isolate P-II in contact time 2 h, pH 5.5, wet biomass concentration 0.4 g. The results of this study indicated that bacterial isolates Bacillus sp. Q-III and Pseudomonas sp. P-II are two suitable biosorbents for the removal of Pb [II]

Emulsan analysis produced by locally isolated bacteria and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1

Growth of previously isolated bacteria from Iranian oil reservoirs on different carbon and energy sources and under varying conditions have been used to produce a class of extracellular microbial protein-associated lipopolysaccharides named emulsan.Several Bacteria were previously isolated from Iranian oil reservoirs and designated as; Ilam-1 and Paydar-4. In present study, the isolated strains were compared with standard sample of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1 from Persian Type Culture Collection [PTCC 1641], IROST. Among the isolated strains, two strains were found to produce an extracellular, emulsifying agent when grown in Mineral Salt Medium containing soya oil, ethanol or local crude oil. The isolated bacteria were cultured and further analysed using protein estimation, reducing sugar analysis, hemolytic activity, surface tension and emulsification activity tests. The crude emulsifier of RAG-1, PAYDAR-4 and ILAM-1 were concentrated from the cell-free culture fluid by ammonium sulfate precipitation to yield 1.89g, 1.78g and 1.69g of bioemulsan respectively. Emulsifying activity was observed over the entire production process. These investigations showed that emulsan produced by isolated Iranian crude oil reservoir were comparable with Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1 which is made of carbohydrate backbone as its hydrophilic part [N-acetyl-D-galactoseamine, N-acetylgalactoseamine uronic acid, diamino-6-deoxy-D-glucose] and fatty acid chain as its hydrophobic portion

[Prevalence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and it's relation with anxiety in medical, dental and pharmaceutical students]

Oral Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers [RAS], are among the most common oral mucosal ulcerations. The association of RAS with psychological factors has been reported in some of the previous studies. However, the results of these researches are controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and its relationship with anxiety in medical, dental and pharmaceutical students. In this study, the prevalence of recurrent aphthous ulcers, in 550 medicine, dentistry and pharmaceutics students of Kerman medical university, and the relationship between lesions and students' anxiety, were evaluated. Cattel anxiety questionnaire was used to assess the amount of anxiety. Another questionnaire was used, in order to evaluate the aphthous ulcers. T and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Results showed that, 107 of 550 students [19.4%] had a positive history of oral recurrent aphthous ulcers. According to the patients' statements, mental stress, use of certain food, and exam induced stress, were the most important effective factors to aggravate the aphthous ulcers. The mean adjusted score of anxiety, anxiety intensity and mean rank of anxiety, in case group, were significantly higher than control group [P<0.001]. These results showed significant difference between the two groups for the gender [P<0.05]. According to the prevalence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and its relationship with anxiety, prevention of anxiety or anxiety reduction should be noticed in the management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Production of biosurfactant from Iraninan oil fields by isolated Bacilli

Crude oil and water samples were collected from selected Iranian oil reservoirs. Experimental works were carried out in laboratory conditions. The samples have been grown on PYG medium and incubated at 30-80 0C. Thirty-six mesophile and thermophile bacterial strains have been isolated. All the isolates were able to grow at aerobic condition. Batch growth kinetic studies were carried out in a 500 ml. shake flask. Out of 36 isolated strains from 24 crude oil and water samples, 35 strains were gram positive rod. Shaped spore forming bacteria and one strain was coccid form. Eight out to 35 bacillus species were capable of producing surfactant. Production of biosurfactant was found to be cell growth associated. The ability of surfactant producing bacteria indicated by reduction of surface tension [ST] and interfacial tension [IFT] of the supernatant. Eight strains obtained the IFT reduction in crude oil, hexadecane, sucrose, glucose, fructose and mannose medium as a sole source of carbon and energy at 40 0C by 15-30 mN/m. Results showed that all the bacteria are producing more surfactant when glucose is the carbon source. Further screening of biosurfactant producer showed that three of the isolated strains resulted the maximum ST and IFT. Effect of temperature on these three isolates investigated at 30-80 0C, above 50 0C surfactant production was dramatically reduced. The isolated strains had the capacity to produce the surfactant at 3-5% NaCl a wide rang of pH [6.5-8.5]

Bioemulsan production by Iranian oil reservoirs microorganisms

The biosurfactants are believed to be surface active components that are shed into the surrounding medium during the growth of the microorganisms. The oil degrading microorganism Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1 produces a poly-anionic biosurfactant, hetero-polysaccharide bioemulsifier termed as emulsan which forms and stabilizes oil-water emulsions with a variety of hydrophobic substrates. In the present paper results of the possibility of biosurfactant [Emulsan] production by microorganisms isolated from Iranian oil reservoirs is presented. Fourthy three gram negative and gram positive, non fermentative, rod bacilli and coccobacilli shaped baceria were isolated from the oil wells of Bibi Hakimeh, Siri, Maroon, Ilam, East Paydar and West Paydar. Out of the isolated strains, 39 bacterial strains showed beta haemolytic activity, further screening revealed the emulsifying activity and surface tension. 11 out of 43 tested emulsifiers were identified as possible biosurfactant producers and two isolates produced large surface tension reduction, indicating the high probability of biosurfactant production. Further investigation revealed that, two gram negative, oxidase negative, aerobic and coccoid rods isolates were the best producers and hence designated as IL-1, PAY-4. Whole culture broth of isolates reduced surface tension from 68 mN /m to 30 and 29.1mN/m, respectively, and were stable during exposure to high salinity [10%NaCl] and elevated temperatures[120°C for 15 min]