ABSTRACT
Background: Underground water resources constitute an important part of urban water resources. One of the serious challenges in ensuring and promoting community health is gradual increase in nitrate levels of drinking water of communities across the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the seasonal variation of nitrate and ammonia levels in drinking water wells of Babol city using GIS software, in 2010-11.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was performed on drinking water wells of Babol city in 2010-11. Sampling was done according to a standard method from 20 drinking water wells, in different seasons; and in final, 80 water samples were analyzed. Nitrate and ammonia concentration of samples was measured using Spectrophotometer DR2000 [Hach company] in 500 and 425 nm, respectively. For qualitative analysis and seasonal fluctuation of nitrate and ammonia concentration of different areas, Geographic information systems, ArcGIS, was used.
Results: The results showed that the highest amount of nitrate was in summer [23.68 mg/l], and the lowest was in winter [14 mg/l]. While the highest and the lowest amount of ammonia was in spring [0.43 mg/l] and summer [0.06 mg/l], respectively. Also, the results showed that only in well number 5 located in Kate Sofla village, nitrate concentration had increasing trend, and in the remaining wells, nitrate and ammonia concentration, had an increasing and a decreasing trend, respectively.
Conclusion: The results indicate that nitrate and ammonia levels in all samples were lower than the WHO recommendations. To avoid increasing in the ammonia and nitrate concentrations in the underground waters, ongoing training to farmers on the proper use of chemical fertilizers, as well as the construction and operation of wastewater collection systems are recommended.
ABSTRACT
Background: Considering the high number of cataract surgery and the posterior capsular opacity as its complication which needs laser capsulotomy and also the rising of intraocular pressure [IOP] after such surgeries, the purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of apraclonidine and timolol separately in decreasing IOP after laser capsulotomy in Matini hospital of Kashan during 2010-11
Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 200 eyes of patients with posterior capsular opacity were randomly divided into two groups and each group treated by timolol or apraclonidine before YAG laser capsulotomy. Then, the tonometer was used to record the intraocular pressure, 1 hour before, 6 and 24 hours after the capsulotomy
Results: One-hundred forty [70%] of the patients were women and 60 [30%] men. The interaction between the two drugs and time was not significant [P=0.104]. There was no significant difference between the two groups for mean IOP at any time. [P=0.738]. Therefore, apraclonidine and timolol are similar in their effects on reducing IOP after laser capsulotomy. In addition, mean IOP in three consecutive measurements were significantly different [P=0.001]. Moreover, the differences between paired comparisons of time were also significant in all three measurements
Conclusion: The efficacy of apraclonidine in reducing IOP in patients underwent the posterior capsulotomy is established and it is similar to timolol in mechanism
ABSTRACT
Previous studies showed that inflammation is an important factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. IL-1beta, IL-6, and HS-CRP are biomarkers with a predictive value in cardiovascular disease. Considering that the effects of resistance training at moderate and high intensity on inflammatory markers have not been studied, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance exercise intensities on levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, HS-CRP and fibrinogen. Thirty healthy young male volunteer students were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 participants each. Groups I and II performed moderate [45-55% 1RM] and high intensity [80-90% 1RM] resistance exercise for 6 consecutive weeks [3 days/week] respectively. Group III, was the control group. Seven exercise stations were employed per session. The rest intervals between the sets of the protocols and stations were 1-2min and 3min respectively. Serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, HS-CRP and plasma level of fibrinogen were assessed before and after resistance training periods. Statistical analysis of data was accomplished using analysis of variance with repeated-measures design. There were no significant differences in serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 before and after the training period. HS-CRP was decreased in groups I and II, but this was not significant [p>0.05]. Post test, however, HS-CRP in the two exercising groups was significantly lowered [p=0.008], compared to the control group. Plasma levels of fibrinogen decreased significantly in the high intensity resistance exercise group. In conclusion, short term resistance training can have beneficial effects on serum levels of some proinflammatory markers in healthy young males. In addition high intensity resistance training decreases plasma level of fibrinogen
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adolescent , Adult , Inflammation Mediators/blood , Interleukin-6/blood , Interleukin-1beta/blood , FibrinogenABSTRACT
Creatine is a dietary supplement that is used by athletes to increase muscle mass and strength and especially to improve sports performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of creatine-monohydrate supplementation on hormonal responses in resistance exercise. Twenty-seven trained men took, daily, either creatine- monohydrate [CR, n=15] or a placebo [PL, n=12] for 7 days, followed by performing exercise testing [6 sets of no more than 10 repetitions of the squat exercise at 80% of their 1RM]. Blood samples were taken at baseline and on the exercise testing day [pre-exercise [Pre], immediately post-exercise [1P], and 15 [2P] and 30 [3P] minutes post-exercise] to measure of serum growth hormone [GH] and testosterone concentrations. Significant increases in the number of repetitions [7.2 +/- 1.2] and volume of exercise [1569 +/- 1.8] were observed in the CR, as compared to PL group in set 5 of the exercise protocol. GH was significantly higher at minutes 15 [6.1 +/- 1.8 ng/ml] and 30 [3.6 +/- 1.9ng/ml] post-exercise, as compared to the pre-exercise values in the CR group. In addition, in the CR group the testosterone concentration was also significantly higher [69.1 +/- 19.2 pmol/L] at minute 15 post-exercise as compared to the pre-exercise and PL values. These results suggest that creatine supplementation can enhance acute exercise performance by increasing the number of repetitions performed and the total volume of exercise. The enhanced performance results in an increase in both GH and testosterone concentrations, indicating an augmented anabolic hormone response to creatine supplementation
ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of mortality in the world. Increased blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Decreasing blood pressure due to exercise can reduce the risk of cardiovascular incidents. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of exercise on blood pressure, heart rate and rate pressure product. To evaluate the effects of intensity and volume of resistance exercises on the post-exercise cardiovascular responses, 10 young untrained non-athletic men [age: 22 +/- 0.8 years; height: 173.05 +/- 2.4 cms and weight: 67.2 +/- 3.4 kgs] participated in this study as the subjects. The subjects performed four exercise bouts in a randomized order. Each bout consisted of five exercises: arm curl, hamstring curl, squat, seated lat pull-down and bench press. The exercises were determined to be performed at three sets: SHORT volume of LOW 40% IRM [SL] and HIGH intensity 80% 1RM [SH] and at six sets: LONG volume of LOW 40% 1RM [LL] and HIGH intensity 80% 1RM [LH]. Blood pressure [BP], heart rate [HR] and rate pressure product [RPP] [product of HR and systolic BP] were measure before the exercise [baseline] and at the ten-minute intervals within 90minutes after each exercise. Then, the data were analyzed using two way ANOVA repeated measures and LSD post-hoc tests. Systolic BP was found to be affected by the volume and intensity of exercise and became lower during 10 to 60 minutes after the exercises [P<0.05]. However, Diastolic BP was not altered after the exercise bouts. HR was increased in 30 minutes after LL and SL, and within 60 minutes after SH and LH exercises [p<0.05]. In contrast, after SH and LH, RPP was increased over a period of 50 minutes. The intensity and volume of resistance exercises do not influence the magnitude and duration of post-exercise hypotension. Also, HR and RPP post-exercise are not affected by the resistance exercise volume