[Efficacy of photocatalytic removal of Chromium in the presence of organic matter from aqueous medium by useing TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized by sol gel]

Background and Aim: Widespread use of Chromium and their compounds in many industries, including plating, steel production, and wood protection and tanning leather, can result in the discharge of large amounts of pollutants to receiving waters, leading to toxic effects on human health and the environment. The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of the photocatalytic process to remove Chromium in the presence of organic matter from the aqueous medium by using nanoparticles of TiO2 synthesized by sol gel

Materials and Methods: This was an experimental study. After nanoparticle synthesis, we used FTIR, SEM, XRD for analysis of nanoparticles. The photocatalytic process for Chromium removal was performed using a discrete stream reactor and Uv light bulb with 30 watts intensity. Then, the effects of independent variables, including pH, concentration of nanoparticles, contact time and the presence of interfering organic matters such as phenol, EDTA, CCl4, methanol and humic acid on the efficiency of the removal of Chromium in an aqueous medium were evaluated

Results: The results showed efficiency of Chromium removal increased after decreasing pH. Also, increasing the concentration of nanoparticles and contact time led to increased removal efficiency. We found reduced removal efficiency after increasing concentrations of the pollutants. Removal efficiency of Chromium increased in the presence of EDTA, but methanol, phenol, humic acid, and carbon tetrachloride reduced its removal efficiency

Conclusion: Photocatalytic oxidation with titanium oxide nanoparticles synthesized by sol- gel method can be an effective way for removal of Chromium from aqueous medium

[Evaluation of malnutrition prevalence and its related factors in primary school students in Kurdistan province]

Children are vulnerable because of their special age characteristics. Investigation of nutritional status of students can lead to design appropriate plans on teaching and hygienic programs. Correct nutrition is an important factor influencing learning ability, development of the educational growth, improvement of teaching, leading to increased investment on education and national profit. The aim of this study was to use anthropometric techniques for assessment of nutritional status in primary school students in Kurdistan Province, Iran. This was a descriptive- analytic cross-sectional study and included 1100 students selected by cluster sampling. Indices measured in this study were weight for age [W/A], weight for height [W/H], and height for age [H/A] and were compared to indices of NCHS standards. Based on the view of Ministry of Education, Kurdistan Province was divided into three parts; affluent, semi affluent and less affluent area. Some data were collected by interviewing students and their parents or obtained from their health records. Epi-info 2000 and SPSS were used for data processing. X2 and ANOVA tests were used for data analysis. According to the results of this study, the prevalence rates of malnutrition were 27.5, 32.3, and 36.9 percent of indices of W/A, W/H, and H/A respectively. There was a significant relationship between the mothers' occupations and chronic malnutrition [H/A], and also W/H [p<0.01]. There was a significant relationship between the parents education level and H/A, and W/H [p<0.01]. A significant relationship was noticed between weekly consumption of meat and chronic consumption of cheese and milk and chronic malnutrition [p<0.01]. The study showed a significant relationship between consumption of soft drinks and chronic malnutrition [p<0.01], and a significant relationship between consumption of confectioneries and W/H [p<0.01]. The prevalence rate of malnutrition in the primary school students in Kurdistan province was higher than those of other countries, but it is more desirable than those of some of other provinces of Iran

effect of yoghurt on BMI and weight reduction in overweight people

Diet regimen and nutritional therapy are suitable methods to reduce weight in obese people. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of yoghurt on weight reduction and BMI in overweight people. 32 overweight people in an interventional study were divided into two groups by block randomization, experimental group included 17 and control group 15 people. Before the beginning of study; the weights and heights of the subjects of the two groups were measured. The weight and BMI were measured in experimental group after 12 weeks again. Alterations of body weight and BMI in experimental group and control group were evaluated by means of SPSS software, Mann-whitney U and T-tests. p<0.05 was regarded significant. At the beginning of the study; weight, height and BMI of the people in the two groups had no significant difference but after yoghurt intake, experimental group, achieved more weight reduction than control group which was statistically significant [p<0.05]. Although reduction of BMI was not significant statistically in both groups; reduction of BMI in experimental group was more than that of control group. Taking two servings of the yoghurt is effective in weight reduction in the obese and overweight people

Comparison of therapeutic effects of Artemisia sieberi 5% lotion with clotrimazole lotion in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor

Pityriasis versicolor [Tinea versicolor] is a common fungal disease and many topical and systemic drugs have been used for its treatment. But more or less the treatment results had been similar with high recurrence rates. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of Artemisia sieberi 5% lotion with clotrimazole 1% lotion in the treatment of tinea versicolor. This was a double blind RCT study. 100 patients were divided into group 1 and group 2 by block randomization. Group 1 and group 2 comprised 51 and 49 patients respectively. Artemisia sieberi and clotrimazole lotions started for group 1 and group 2 accordingly and continued for 2 weeks. The patients were evaluated from clinical and laboratory points of view. The data collected were registered in check lists, introduced into SPSS win, and analyzed by means of independent T, x[2] and fisher's tests. In our study the cure rates at the end of the second week, from clinical point of view were 86.3% and 65.3% in group 1 and group 2 respectively [p=0.013], but from laboratory point of view the cure rates were 92.2% and 73.5% with a significant relationship [p<0.010]. Also 4 weeks after treatment [2 weeks after discontinuing the drugs] clinical improvement reached 86.3% an 59.2% in group 1 and group 2 respectively [p<0.01] which reveals an important relationship. In microscopic study, after 4 weeks the smears were negative in 96.1% and 65.3% of the patients of the group 1 and group 2 accordingly which disclosed a significant relationship [P<0.01]. The results of this study indicates that Artemisia sieberi lotion was more effective and had less recurrence rate than clotrimozole lotion in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor

Prevalence of osteoporosis, osteopenia and their related factors in post-menopausal women referring to Kurdistan densitometry center

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease. This study deals with prevalence of osteoporosis, osteopenia and their related factors in post-menopausal women who had referred to Kurdistan densitometry center in Sanandaj. This descriptive-analytic study included 305 post-menopausal women without previous history of osteoporosis who had referred for densitometry to Kurdistan densitometry center from 1382 to 1383. Sampling method was census. Patients with secondary osteoporosis were excluded. Data were extracted from a questionnaires filled out by the subjects. Bone mineral densities of femoral neck and second to fourth lumbar vertebrae were measured by DXA method. The results were expressed on the basis of T-score. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were defined as T<-2.5 and -2.5

Survey of the nutritional regimen of the female students in Kurdistan University of medical sciences regarding energy, macronutrients and micronutrients intake in the second half of 1384

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional regimen and habits of the students in the fasting month of Ramadan and usual days together with obtained energy and macro/micro nutrients intake. This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study. Every group included 60 female students who had been assigned randomly in three positions of home, dormitory and the fasting month of Ramadan. The groups received the 24 hr diet recall questionnaires in order to fill them out in 3 above mentioned positions. Finally 174 questionnaires were evaluated. Using descriptive and comprehensive statistic formulae, the data were analyzed by means of SPSS win software. The results of this study showed that the mean values for daily energy, unsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol and protein intake were 2258 +/- 823 Kcal 71.38, 7.26, 263.93 mg and 84.9 gm respectively. Also intake of some nutrients and vitamins like calcium, zinc and folic acid were less than normal. The comparison of the food intake by students in home, dormitory and Ramadan month showed that the students had received more nutriments at home so that in some instances such as cholesterol and fat intake significant differences were detected [p<0.05]. Considering the results of this study, it is necessary to add vegetables, fruits and dairy products to the nutritional regimen of the students