[Determining service life of respirator cartridge using a simple and practical method: case study in a car manufacturing industry]

For ensuring about proper performance of air-purifying respirators in providing protection against workplace contaminates, it is necessary to change the respirator cartridges before the end of their service life. The aim of this study was determination of service life of organic vapor cartridges using a simple and practical method in a spray painting booth of a car manufacturing industry. NIOSH Multi Vapor software was used for estimating service life of respirator cartridges based on workplace conditions and cartridge specifications. Efficiency of determined service life was investigated using an apparatus for field testing of cartridges in the workplace. The result showed that existing schedule for changing the respirator cartridges is not effective and no longer provide adequate protection for sprayers against organic contaminants while working in a painting booth. It is necessary to change the cartridges before their estimated service life [every 4 hours]. NIOSH Multi Vapor has acceptable efficiency for determining respirator cartridges service life and could be used as a simple and practical method in the workplace. This software could be used as a simple and practical method in the workplace. Moreover, Service life estimated by this software was confirmed by cartridge field test apparatus

[Evaluation of change schedule of organic vapor respirator cartridges in a petrochemical industry]

In the absence of End of Service Life Indicator [ESLI], a cartridge change schedule should be established for ensuring that cartridges are changed before their end of service life. The aim of this study was determining the efficiency of respirator change schedule and presenting a suitable schedule for changing the cartridges before their end of service life in a petrochemical complex. Required information for change criteria, number and time between changing the cartridges were gathered through the existing records in the industry. Also the highest values of measured environmental conditions were used as a worse case condition for estimation of service life of cartridges. Technical data and specification of used cartridges in the industry were collected through the cartridges manufactures. Manufacturer's service life software was used for estimation of cartridge service life and 10% of threshold limit values were considered for estimation of breakthrough time of cartridges. The results show that there is no effective change schedule for respirator cartridges in the studied industry. Also there was a significant difference between current schedule and developed schedule for changing the respirators in the studied industry. Relying on odor thresholds and other warning properties solely as the basis for changing respirator chemical cartridges is not allowed and a change out schedule should be developed base on workplace conditions and specification of respirator cartridges

[Disaster management in order to offset losses caused by the earthquake [case study: Tehran Province]]

Population density and economic loading led to various and multiple functions in Tehran. The most important concern of Tehran province is natural disasters including earthquake. This study aims to identify risk areas and to prepare the vulnerability maps by different degrees of vulnerability. In this descriptive study, the relationship between socio-economic indicators was analyzed with the effective factors causing vulnerability in Tehran province by using GIS in different layers. In order to offset the losses of earthquake the actions for empowerment should take into consideration in natural disasters in Tehran. Disaster management should be empowered regarding the physical-space characteristics and also strategic nature of Tehran province

[Effect of nutritional education on iron-deficiency anemia in high schools girls]

Iron-deficiency anemia is one of the main nutritional problems especially in young women. There are many strategies to combat iron deficiency anemia, including change in food habits and nutritional education. Aim of this study was to determine the effect of nutritional education on iron deficiency anemia among high schools girls. In this semi-experimental study, 68 high schools girls with iron deficiency anemia were educated for 4 months. Education materials were included brochures, pamphlets, and lectures. During nutritional education sessions the girls were presented with a pamphlet in which nutritional topics such as food groups, iron absorption enhancers and inhibitors, good sources of iron and ways to improve absorption of iron from foods were explained in simple word. Hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum zinc were measured in the beginning and end of the intervention. The girl's knowledge and their attitude about nutrition were also obtained before and after the study. Paired-t test, Wilcoxon, and Spearman tests were used for data analysis. The amount of hemoglobin at the beginning and the end of the study were 109.5 +/- 10 g/l and 123.3 +/- 13 g/l. respectively [P<0.001]. Serum ferrtin level was 4.5 +/- 3.2 and 25.4 +/- 36.9 microg/l, respectively [P<0.001]. Serum zinc level was 1.4 +/- 0.5 mg/dl at the beginning of the study and it was increased to 3.7 +/- 1 mg/dl at the end of the study [P<0.001]. Knowledge scores at the first and final intervention were 5.7 +/- 2.7 vs. 6.8 +/- 1.9 [P<0.01], and attitudes scores were 25.1 +/- 3.4 vs. 25.4 +/- 3.7 [P>0.05], respectively. Nutritional education can be used for improving the serum iron and zinc among anemic girls

Treatment of diabetic leg ulcer by local application of honey and olive oil mixture

Wound care is one of the main concerns of patients with diabetes This case involved a 55-year-old man with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus developed medial leg ulcer [2cm x 2cm] due to accident, for which he received currently recommended therapy, including antibiotic and betadin dressing. After 2 months of care the ulcer did not improved. Patient referred to diabetic clinic with 2x2x2 cm medial leg ulcer. After rule out of osteomylitis and discontinuation of antibiotic and betadin dressing, once-daily thick applications of honey and olive oil mixture were started. Granulation tissue appeared within 5 days and in one month the ulcer resolved Two weeks later, the ulcer has not been recurred

Evaluation of the appropriateness of hospital stay in gynecological wards in Tabriz Teaching Hospitals

The increasing demand for health care services together with the increasing cost of providing them supports the need for a reconsideration of the existing structures. This study evaluated the appropriateness of hospital stay in gynecological wards. This is a descriptive-analytic study which was conducted in 2006-2007 by using modified appropriateness evaluation protocol. The average duration of hospital stay for 402 patients was 55.18 +/- 45.03 hours. The length of hospital stay was inappropriate in 61.2%.The main reasons for unnecessary stay before surgery included: no prior outpatient preparation of patients for operation, inadequate diagnostic procedures and the problems resulting from urgent admission [OR=2.91, CI=1. 53-5.28, OR=1.56, CI=1.10-2.99 and OR=1.01, CI=0.08-2.58 respectively].The most important factors for inappropriate stay after surgery included: patient's home-hospital distance and delayed physician's order for discharge [OR=4.18, CI=2.57-13.20 and OR=2.06, CI=1.02-4.43]. Inappropriate hospital stay was 61.2%, and it could be decreased to 28.10% by using appropriate approaches

[ effect of educational program based on BASNEF model on diabetic [Type II] eyes care in Kazemi's Clinic, [Shiraz]]

Ocular complications are the most important impediment that result from uncontrolled blood sugar among diabetics. For eye care, patients need to be educated on how to control their blood sugar and increase their behavioral preventive skills. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of educational program based on the BASNEF [Belief, Attitude, Subjective Norm, Enabling Factors] Model on Diabetic [Type II] eye care in Nader Kazemi Clinic, Shiraz City. This is a perspective and quasi-experimental intervention study, the research population being type II diabetics, between the ages of 40 and 65 years, having had diabetes for over 5 years. During the first visit of the subjects' eyes exam, 68 of 215 patients, diagnosed with ocular complications, were eliminated from the study. Finally, 100 diabetic patients, fulfilling the inclusion criteria, participated in the study, and were randomly divided to two groups, experimental and controls. The instruments for data collecting were a questionnaire established based on the BASNEF Model, a check list related to patient practice on the basis of self reporting, a check list for recording the patients' HbA[1]c and FBS levels, and the ophthalmologist's eyes exam report as well. All groups completed the questionnaires and check lists, and ophthalmic eye examination results were documented before and three months after intervention. The patients of the experimental group participated in 6 educational session classes during the one month of intervention and again two months after, with 2 session meeting classes as the follow up of intervention. The data were collected and analyzed by SPSS computer software. Our findings indicated that mean scores of BASNEF Model variables [beliefs, attitudes, subjective norm, enabling factors] were significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the controls after intervention. Also, behavioral eye care, rate of HbA[1]c [before intervention as 8.65% after three months 7.47%] and FBS levels [before intervention 207.08, after three months 124.2] improved significantly among the experimental group, compared to control group. Applying the BASNEF Model is very effective for developing an educational program for diabetics, in order to control their blood sugar and enhancing behavioral eye care. Besides such programs, follow up education on controlling and monitoring is highly recommended

Prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in diabetic patients

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome [PEX] is the most common identifiable cause of secondary glaucoma, the prevalence of which varies considerably among different ethnicities. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of PEX in diabetic patients older than 50 years. In this descriptive, cross-sectional study 400 diabetic patients older than 50 years referred to the Yazd Diabetes Research Center were selected consecutively. After completing a questionnaire, ophthalmologic examination was performed with slit-lamp, 3-mirror lens and Direct Ophthalmoscopy. Of the total of 400 patients, 24 patients [6%] had PEX. PEX was significantly higher in older diabetic patients [P = .007]. No significant association was observed with the other variables, including sex, duration of diabetes and retinopathy [p = 0.7]. Also, prevalence of glaucoma in patients with PEX was 14.8%. In our study the prevalence of PEX was 6%. On comparison of results with similar studies on non diabetic patients of the same age group in our region, the prevalence of PEX in diabetic patients is less than non diabetic patients in Yazd

Study of four year incidence rate of diabetic retinopathy and its associated factors in type II diabetes patients

It seems that improvement in care and new treatment and screening methods along with better control of diabetes mellitus [DM] has led to a change in incidence of diabetic complications, especially diabetic retinopathy. This study was performed to assess the 4 years incidence rate of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type II diabetes and factors affecting its progression. In this prospective study on diabetic patients referring to Yazd diabetes center, 120 type II diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy were selected. After complete ophthalmic examination, fasting blood sugar [FBS], post prandial blood sugar, triglyceride and cholesterol levels were measured, and height, weight and blood pressure [BP] were recorded. Then the patients were followed with yearly eye examinations for 4 years. Four year cumulative incidence of diabetic retinopathy was 47.5% [95% CI: 38.6 - 56.4]. The retinopathy was mild, non proliferative diabetic retinopathy [NPDR] in 43 [35.8%] where as 10[8.3%] patients had moderate NPDR and 3[2.5%] patients had severe NPDR. Only one patient had proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The incidence of diabetic retinopathy was 5.8% in first year, 20.3% in second year, 24.4% in third year and 7.4% in fourth year. Duration of diabetes, FBS and systolic BP had a statistically significant relationship with grades of diabetic retinopathy, but there was no significant association between age, sex, Body mass index [BMI], triglyceride and cholesterol levels, method of treatment, smoking and diastolic BP with grades of diabetic retinopathy. Duration of diabetes, blood glucose levels and systolic blood pressure are main risk factors of diabetic retinopathy

[Sodium Valproate effect in occurrence of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome]

Administration of sodium valproate for treatment of psycho-neurological disorders has increased considerably. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome [PCOS] is indicated as one of the side effects of long-term administration of sodium valproate. Therefore, more detailed studies are needed for assessment of the side effects of sodium valporate. Forty patients were randomly selected from the patients who referred to neurology and psychiatric clinics, sodium valproate prescribed for them. In all patients, FSH, LH and testosterone levels as well as ovarian size, BMI and the symptoms of hirsutism and menstruation irregularities were evaluated prior to and six months after treatment with sodium valporate. Mean level of BMI, LH, FSH and LH/FSH ratio was significantly increased following sodium valporate administration, compared to their levels prior to the treatment. No such effect was observed about the mean level of testosterone before and after the treatment. One of the patients showed the signs of PCOS, which they were ceased following discontinuation of the drug. The current results show that the administration of sodium valproate could lead to polycystic ovarian syndrome in some patients