[Effect of low level laser therapy on orthodontic movement in human]

Lasers with different characteristics have been used to stimulate orthodontic tooth movement. Considering the contradictory findings in this regard, this study was designed to assess the effect of low level laser therapy [LLLT] on the rate orthodontic tooth movement. In this randomized clinical trial study, 12 patients [4 boys and 8 girls; average age: 16.9 +/- 3.4] with extracted upper first premolars and required canine retraction into extraction site were included. While in both sides canines were retracted by NiTi coil spring, one side was exposed to GaAlAs laser [890 nm]. LLLT was done [on the buccal and palatal mucosa by slow movement of probe] at the beginning of the first month. Impression and cast fabrication performed at the beginning of retraction, one and two months later. The amount of retraction on the cast was measured with the aid of a reference plaque fabricated on the rogae using a digital caliper. Data were analyzed using paired sample T-test and one-sample Kolmogorov- Simirnov test. There was no significant difference in the amounts of canine movement between laser exposed and control sides [P>0.05]. The energy dose of laser used in this study [72 J per each tooth] was not appropriate for increasing dental movement

[Survey of knowledge and attitude of farmers of Southern Khorasan province regarding agriculture related OHS issues in 2008]

Agriculture is one of the oldest and high risk professions. Traditional agricultural production mainly depends on the physical power of farmers; thus, optimum efficiency in agriculture depends on the attention paid to the importance of certain measures to prevent diseases and accidents due to farming. This research was performed with the aim of survey of knowledge and attitude of farmers of Southern Khorasan province regarding agriculture related OHS issues in 2008. In this cross-sectional study, 818 farmers were selected and a questionnaire that is validity and reliability had been approved was filled out through interviewing each subject. Data were analyzed using the SPSS program and appropriate statistical tests. p 0.05]. Considering the obtained results, improving health knowledge of farmers through appropriate training programs is necessary

Seroprevalence of neospora spp. in horses in north east of Iran

Neospora caninum, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, is recognized as a major cause of abortion in cattle, while limited information is presently available on the seroprevalence of Neospora antibodies in horses' worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine serologic prevalence of Neospora infection in horses in Iran. Sera from 150 horses from Mashhad suburb in Razavi Khorasan Province, northeast Iran were examined for antibodies to Neospora spp. using Neospora modified direct agglutination test [N-MAT]. Antibodies to this parasite were detected in 45 [30%] of the examined serum samples. Thirty four percent of the samples had titer of 1:40 while then reduced to 30% when 1:80 serum dilution was applied as significant cut off titer. This study is the first investigation carried out on the Neospora in horses in Iran and indicates that horses in Iran are exposed to this parasite

Characterization of Leishmania isolated from unhealed lesions caused by leishmanization

Leishmania parasites were isolated after 13 and 8 years from the unhealed lesions of 2 soldiers who had been immunized against leishmaniasis during the war between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Isoenzyme characterization on these isolates using 11 enzyme systems was carried out and the results were compared with the enzyme profiles of the original isolates of L. major used for leishmanization. Minor enzymatic differences in glucose-6-phosphate dehyrognase and phosphoglucomutase were observed but otherwise the strains appeared unchanged

[ study of knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers on hypertension at villages of Yazd - 1384]

Hypertension is the most important risk factor for coronary heart diseases. Statistics indicates the high rate of hypertension in Iran [11.5%] and in yazd the highest [19.3%]. Regarding the role that inappropriate diet plays in causing hypertension as well as mothers' role in nutritional management of family and in adopting and administrating health instructions, this study was carried out to determine the knowledge and attitude of mothers in villages of Yazd. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Information was collected by a standard questionnaire. 363 mothers, their health being controlled by Health Service Centers, were selected by simple sampling and the data was analyzed by SPSS. 92.4% of the mothers knew that salt overuse can act as a factor affecting hypertension. According to most of the mothers [76.1% and 73.8%] hypertension has a good effect on stroke and heart attack respectively. Mothers' knowledge mean score on hypertension was 16.4 +/- 3. 68.3% of mothers had an average knowledge on hypertension and merely 23.1% enjoyed a good knowledge in this regard. In this study, there was no significant relationship between disparity of the average knowledge score among various academic and business groups [P>0.05]. However the relationship between mothers' knowledge score and informed threat score was significant. Media was the most important source of information for mothers [47.5%]. Mothers regarded daily chores as the most effective factor on lack of hypertension control. 32% of the patients were on a diet and 60% used medicine prescribed by their physicians. No one believed that drugs are of no use on hypertension control. Generally, the results showed the good knowledge of mothers about effective factors on hypertension and their complications. But, mothers' attitude and practice on prevention and control of hypertension wasn't acceptable. It was suggested that an extensive educational program should be planned to promote knowledge, attitude and practice of the people especially mothers on the problem

[Depression in truck driver: prevalence and related factors]

Depression is the most prevalent psychiatry disorder. It consist of 35-40% of all psychiatry disorders that lead to medical intervention. Driving is a dangerous job and drivers are strongly susceptible to physical and mental disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression and to investigate factors related to depression in truck drivers. Using a descriptive cross-sectional study in Yazd province goods terminal, 222 truck drivers were evaluated by a questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were determined using the Beck Depression Inventory. Data was analyzed by the statistical package for the social sciences. The mean +/- SD of depression score was 18 +/- 11 and major depression prevalence came to 15.5%. In this study we couldn't find any statistical significant correlation between the depression score and variables such as age, benefitting from a co-driver, accident in last year, specific disease, use of specific drug, type of truck ownership, marital status, educational status, duration of driving, number of children and number of cigarettes smoked in 24 hours. But the correlation between the depression score and number of home returning days was statistically nearly significant [r=0.108, p=0.06] and showed a reverse statistical significance related to the number of sleeping hours in 24 hours [r=-0.183, p=0.005]. Also in this study there was a significant association between depression score and dwelling city and capacity of loading truck [p=0.02]. Prevalence of major depression in drivers is higher than total population. Since depression leads to disturbance in concentration and alters the nature of a person's behavior, so there must be planning for health promotion in drivers to reduce accidents