Field efficacy of expanded polystyrene and shredded waste polystyrene beads for mosquito control in artificial pools and field trials, Islamic Republic of Iran

Concerns about traditional chemical pesticides has led to increasing research into novel mosquito control methods. This study compared the effectiveness of 2 different types of polystyrene beads for control of mosquito larvae in south-east Islamic Republic of Iran. Simulated field trials were done in artificial pools and field trials were carried out in 2 villages in an indigenous malaria area using WHO-recommended methods. Application of expanded polystyrene beads or shredded, waste polystyrene chips to pool surfaces produced a significant difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment density of mosquitoes [86% and 78% reduction respectively 2 weeks after treatment]. There was no significant difference between the efficacy of the 2 types of material. The use of polystyrene beads as a component of integrated vector management with other supportive measures could assist in the control of mosquito-borne diseases in the Islamic Republic of Iran and neighbouring countries

[Bioassay for toxicity assessment of zinc oxide and titanium oxide to escherichia coli ATCC 35218 and staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 bacteria]

This study was conducted to investigate the toxicity of Titanium Oxide [TiO2] and Zinc Oxide [ZnO] nanoparticles as two of most widely used nanoparticles. The result of this study can help to designing environmental standard and legislations for nanoparticles. Different concentrations of nano ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles were added to nutrient Agar culture media. Then, definite numbers of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were added to culture media and inhibition of these bacteria growth was measured in comparison to controls. Obtained data were analyzed to determine nanoparticles' EC50 and NOEC [No Observed Effect Concentration] using SPSS ver.16 and Probit standard test. 24-hours EC50 of nano ZnO using E. coli and S. aureus determined to be 5.47 mg/L and 2.38 mg/L respectively. In addition, 24-hours EC50 of nano TiO2 using E. coli and S. aureus determined to be 5366 mg/L and 3471 mg/L respectively. In the case of ZnO nanoparticles, no observed effect concentration determined to be 1.15 and 3.28 mg/L for E. coli and S. aureus respectively and in the case of TiO2 nanoparticles no observed effect level determined to be 1937 and 1184 mg/L for E. coli and S. aureus respectively. This study showed that acute toxicity of nano ZnO is by farmore than that of nano TiO2. Regarding the EPA acute toxicity criteria, nano ZnO is categorized as moderately toxic and nano TiO2 is categorized as practically non toxic. Hence, regarding the acute toxicity, in recommending exposure criteria and environmental disposal standards, compared to nano TiO2, nano ZnO requires more attention

[Evaluation of the relationship between global ultraviolet index in different regions of Iran and skin cancer in 1383]

Skin cancer is the most frequent malignancy in Iran. Exposure to the excessive ultraviolet radiation is an important factor in creating skin tumors. The purpose of this study is to determine how the ultraviolet index has been distributed in all townships throughout the country, to determine different kinds of skin cancer and to evaluate a geographical distribution of skin cancers with regard to the UV geographical distribution. This study is ecologic, descriptive and analytical in nature. A total number of 6921 skin cancer cases registered at the Center for Disease Control of Iran in 2004 were thoroughly analyzed and UV data were collected from the world wide web. With the help of ArcGIS software and SPSS, the statistical analysis was done. The incidence rates were 10.13 for the total skin cancer, 7.53 for basal cell carcinoma, 1.79 for squamous cell carcinoma and 0.39 for malignant melanoma per 100000 population of Iran. The mean ultraviolet index differed from 9 in July to 3 in January. The correlation between the skin cancer incidence at the level of districts and ultraviolet index was not significantly observed. Skin cancer is a public health problem in Iran. Further research in this regard would lead to skin cancer registration improvement and more understanding of different climatic, cultural and behavioral factors in developing skin tumors. With this knowledge the possibility of more effective prevention of the most prevalent cancer in Iran can be created

[Quantity and quality analysis and management of solid waste produced in dentistry laboratories and practical dentist offices in Hamedan, 1386]

Today, One of the most important environmental issues is solid waste Produced in Dentistry That because of the presence of hazardous, toxic and pathogen agents has special importance. In this survey, solid waste produced in Hamadan Dentistry laboratories and practical dentist offices is studied. In this descriptive study, from 24 Dentistry laboratories in Hamedan 5 offices and from 27 practical dentist offices 5 offices were selected in simple random way. From each offices 3 sample at the end of successive working day [Sunday, Monday and Tuesday] were analyzed. Samples were manually sorted into different 41 components and by means of laboratory scale were measured. Then, measured components were classified based on characteristic and hazardous potential. Total annual waste produced in Dentistry laboratories and practical dentist offices in Hamaden is 15921.79 and 8677.56 Kg respectively. Production percentages of domestic type, chemical and pharmaceutical waste, potentially infectious and toxic wastes in practical dentist offices were 91.14, 6.7, 2.14 and 0.02 respectively. Dentistry laboratories solid waste comprises of 94.47 percent domestic type and 5.53 percent chemical and pharmaceutical waste. Main components of produced analyzed wastes were 2 components that consist of more than 80 percents of total dental solid waste. So, waste reduction, separation and recycling plans in the offices must be concentrated on these main components. In order to waste suitable management, it is suggested that in addition to educate waste producer for waste reduction, separation and recycling in the offices, each section of dental waste [toxic, chemical and pharmaceutical, potentially infectious and domestic type wastes] separately and according to related criteria are managed

effect of nano-molar dose of meperidine on the prevention of pruritus due to intrathecal meperidine

Background and Purpose: Opioids are frequently added to local anesthetics in order to improve analgesia in neuraxial blocks, which may lead to - sometimes intolerable - pruritus in the patients. In this study, the effect of meperidine on pruritus following the prescription of opioids [in the scale and dose of mg] in regional anesthesia was investigated

Methods and Materials: This clinical trial was conducted on 54 patients in two groups of 27. The patients included those hospitalized fro cesarean section in the midwifery ward, as well as those in the surgical-orthopedic ward. Both groups received anesthetic and opioids [meperidine in mg doses]. The first group, i.e. the control group, received a certain volume of physiologic serum, and the second group, i.e. the experimental group, received the same volume of physiologic serum plus IV meperidine [nanogram dose]. Pruritus was measured in the conventional scale at hours 0, 6, 12, and 24 after surgery. In the statistical analysis, Mann Whitney U, Fisher's exact test, and chisquare were used

Results: in the experimental group, incidence and intensity of pruritus [in case of occurring] were significantly lower than the control group [intensity score being one]

Conclusion: Using nano-doses of opioids [meperidine] is effective in preventing pruritus

Use of expanded polystyrene [EPS] and shredded waste polystyrene [SWAP] beads for control of mosquitoes

Mosquitoes transmit several diseases to human. There are several measures for control of larvae. As part of Integrated Vector Management [IVM] program, the utility of floating layers of polystyrene beads [EPS] is a potential alternative in habitats of mosquito larva. EPS beads prevent oviposition of mosquito as well as killing the immature stages by forming a tick layer on the water surface. They are cheap, environmentally safe and do not need frequent application and remain on the surface of water for long time. The objective of the current study was to asses the effectiveness of two types of polystyrene beads of [EPS] and [SWAP] for control of mosquito larvae under laboratory conditions. Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus were used for experimental purposes. In each tray 250 larvae of late 3rd and early 4th instars were introduced. The experiment was conducted on 4 replicates for An. stephensi, Cu. quinquefasciatus and combination of both. Emerging of adult mosquitoes were calculated every day until the end of experiments. Mortality rate and Inhibition of Emerge [IE] for Cu. quinquefasciatus, An. stephensi and combination of both species was 97.8%, 100% and 99.07%, respectively using EPS. In average, EPS was able to kill 98.9% of larvae. The figures with SWAP were 63%, 91.05% and 72.65%, respectively. The average mortality for mosquitoes was 75.57% EPS and SWAP beads can be very effective and practical for elimination of An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefasciatus under the laboratory conditions

Retention of humic acid from water by nanofiltration membrane and influence of solution chemistry on membrane performance

The objectives of this research were to investigate the rejection efficiency of salt and hydrophobic fraction of natural organic matter, to study the flux decline behavior with a spiral wound nanofiltration membrane, and also to survey the influence of water chemistry on membrane performance. Experiments were conducted using a cross flow pilot-scale membrane unit with a full circulation mode. Humic acid was used as hydrophobic organic matter and NaCl as background electrolyte. Results showed that flux reduction increased with increasing ionic strength and humic acid concentration, and with lower pH. The rejection efficiency of organic and salt decreased with the decrease in pH and increase in ionic strength, because of osmotic pressure increase, leading to permeate flux decline and decrease in salt rejection. In addition, the improved salt rejection was likely due to Donnan exclusion by humic material close to membrane surfaces. The average rejection efficiency of humic acid and salt ranged between 91.2%-95.25% and 63.6%-80%, respectively. Dissolved organic carbon concentration was less than 0.57mg/L in permeate for all experiments. With increasing organic concentration, the charge of the membrane surface has become more negative due to the adsorption of organic foulants on the membrane surface, and thus increased the electrostatic repulsion. However, the increasing surface charge had the potential to result in a larger molecular weight cut-off of a fouled membrane due to membrane swelling which can lead to lower rejection solutes. Therefore, results of this study indicated that membrane fouling may significantly affect the rejection of organic and ion solute

[Preschool vision screening program: coverage, validity and outcome]

To evaluate the preschool vision screening program coverage and to assess its validity indices including specificity, negative predictive value [NPV], sensitivity and positive predictive value [PPV] and the frequency of treatment for visual impairment. A sample of 906 six-year-old children signed up for primary school registration in the Shahrood district [Semnan, Iran] were randomly selected and invited for optometric examination. Mentally retarded and blind subjects due to organic disorders were excluded. All children were examined by optometrists for ocular alignment, visual acuity, cover test, stereoacuity and retinoscopy under cycloplegia. Screening history and the results were detected by available documents. Treatment history was obtained from the family. Of 906 invited children, 827 [91.3%] participated in the study, of which 815 [98.6%] were eligible and cooperative. Fifty-two children [6.4%] had amblyogenic visual impairment. Screening coverage rate was 85.3% [95% confidence interval [CI], 82.9-87.7] which was unrelated to gender, residence in urban or rural area or parents' education but was greater in families with higher-thanaverage economic status [87.7% vs 81.9%, P<0.05]. The specificity and NPV of the screening exam were 95.4% [95%CI, 94.1-96.7] and 96.7% [95%CI, 95.3-98.1], respectively. Only 47.5% of children with amblyogenic factors were suspected on screening examination [sensitivity]. Of those with suspected exams, 38.8% had impairments in optometric examination [PPV]. All of those with a correct diagnosis of amblyogenic visual impairment on screening had been treated. A significant proportion of six-year-old children have amblyogenic vision impairment. Inadequate coverage and validity of the current screening program has prevented timely diagnosis and treatment of many of them

investigation of human apolipoprotein e polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis patients of Iran

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system, with a complex etiology that includes a strong genetic component. The chromosome 19q13 region surrounding the apolipoprotein E [APOE] gene has shown consistent evidence of involvement in MS. In a cross-sectional study, to show the APOE genotype and allele frequency in the MS population of Iran in comparison with the control group, we genotyped its polymorphisms [sigma 2, sigma 3 and sigma 4 alleles]. The authors investigated 81 patients with clinically definite MS and 93 asymptomatic elderly volunteers. The frequency of the APOE allele in the MS population in comparison with controls was 9.3% vs. 0.5% for sigma 4, 44.4% vs. 51.6% for sigma 3, and 46.3% vs. 47.8% for sigma 2. The highest frequency of APOE genotype was from sigma 2/sigma 3 with 66.7% vs. 94.6% and the lowest, sigma 4/sigma 4 genotype with 2.5% vs. 0%. The authors found significant differences in the distribution of 84 allele between patients with MS and controls [9.3% vs. 0.5%; X[2]=15.2;df=2; p<0.001]. The highest frequency of sigma 4 allele in MS patients was in Pure Turkish [25.0% vs. 5.3%] ethnicity. There was no significant relation between ethnicity and genotype. In the present study sigma 2/sigma 4, sigma 3/sigma 4 and sigma 4/sigma 4 genotypes were more common in bout-onset cases compared to primary progressive cases, and the secondary progressive disease was higher in carriers of sigma 4 allele. Also, the sigma 2 allele was higher in relapsing remitting disease

Polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein E region and severity of multiple sclerosis

Background: the apolipoprotein E [APOE] polymorphism is known to affect various neurologic disorders with different effects on the immune system and CNS repair. However, previous studies on possible modulation of the clinical course of multiple sclerosis [MS] by APOE polymorphism have been inconsistent

Objective: to clarify the issue for MS patients' management and future research

Methods: the present cross-sectional study investigated 81 patients with clinically proven MS and related their clinical and demographic findings to the allelic polymorphism of the APOE gene. The genotype distribution of patients with MS was compared with a comparison group of 93 asymptomatic elderly volunteers

Results: significant differences were found in the distribution of Epsilon 4 allele between patients with MS and the comparison group [9.3% vs. 0.5%; p>0.001]. An analysis of disease progression in 81 patients with MS indicated that APOE Epsilon 4 carriers are more likely to be affected with severe disease

Conclusion: the results obtained suggested that APOE genotype affected susceptibility to MS and indicated an association of the APOE Epsilon 4 allele with a more severe course of the disease