Production of a novel high strength heavy concrete using tourmaline and galena for neutron and photon radiation shielding

High density concrete is extensively used for efficient radiation attenuation in radiotherapy rooms and nuclear reactors. Over the past eight years, some efficient galena-based concrete samples for shielding X or gamma rays was produced. The goal of this study was to produce a novel high density concrete against neutron and photon radiations using tourmaline and galena. Attenuation of gamma photons was measured using a Farmer type ionization chamber with a standard [60]Co buildup cap on a Theratron[60] Co therapy unit. Neutron shielding characteristics were measured by using an Am-Be source. The MCNP4C radiation transport computer code was used to investigate the effects of various shield thicknesses on the attenuation of gamma-ray photons and neutrons. The concrete samples had a density of 4.0- 4.2 g/cm[3]. The compressive strength was 326 - 560 kg/cm2. The calculated value for Half Value Layer [HVL] of the tourmaline-galena concrete samples for 60Co gamma rays was 2.72 cm, which is much less than that of ordinary concrete [6.0 cm]. The MC-derived HVL for photons with the same energy was 2.77 cm, which is in a good agreement with the experimental data. Moreover, ToGa concrete had up to 10 times greater neutron attenuation compared to that of the reference concrete. Tourmalin-Galena Concrete opens a new horizon in economic and efficient gamma/neutron shielding in high-energy radiotherapy bunkers, nuclear power plants, and shielding of radioactive sources

comparison of direct technique and formalin-ether method in determining parasitic infection among health-card applicants in shahroud city

Parasitic infection is one of the major health problems in the world. This study aimed at comparing the accuracy of two methods of direct examination and Formalin-Ether to detect the presence of parasitic infection among health-card applicants in Shahroud city, 2011. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 801 patients seeking health-card. From each patient, three consecutive stool samples were taken and investigated, using direct examination and formalin-ether method, The use of formalin-ether method in recognizing the parasitic infection specially Giardia lamblia and Entamobea coh'is more than the direct method. The formalin-ether method is a more sensitive method than the direct method. But in circumstances that is urgency to respond or aims to see the shape of trophozoite, the use of direct method is recommended

[Effect of vertical prism induced stress on binocular visual evoked potential]

To evaluate the effect of vertical prism induced stress on binocular visual evoked potentials. Using checkerboard stimulus patterns in two spatial frequencies [SFs] of 0.48 cpd as a low SF and 2.18 cpd as a moderate SF reversing with temporal frequency of 4 Hz, the effect of increasing visual stress using vertical prisms of 0, 1, 2 and 3 prism diopters on binocular visual evoked potentials was investigated. The project was performed on 23 participants [11 male and 12 female] with normal binocular visual function, i.e., vertical prism vergences and stereo acuities were within normal limits. The amplitude and latency of N75, P100 and N135 components were measured during different vertical prism induced stresses in all cases. To compare mean amplitude and latency with different vertical prism induced stresses, the repeated measure ANOVA statistical method was used. The amplitude of N75, P100 and N135 components showed reduction as a function of vertical prism induced stress at both low and moderate SFs [P<0.001]. This reducing trend was more severe with increasing intensity of prism stress, while the latency of these components showed an increase as a function of vertical prism induced stress at both low and moderate SFs [P<0.001]. Based on clinical findings, ocular symptoms are caused by the vertical prism induced stress; in visual evoked potential as a paraclinical test, amplitude and latency of all components of the VEP wave, are affected by this stress

[ effect of type of enzyme and activated carbon concenteration on phenylalanine removal from milk]

Phenylketonuria is a hereditary disease caused by a lack or deficiency of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, its most severe clinical manifestation being irreversible mental retardation. Presently, the only therapy available is the dietary restriction of phenylalanine. The objective of this study was to produce laboratory-scale low-phenylalanine milk to be used as a dietary supplement by phenylketonurics. Low-phenylalanine milk can be used to make a variety of palatable, lowphenylalanine foods and beverages. Three milk hydrolysates were prepared enzymatically [1g of enzyme/100 g of substrate], using a protease from Aspergillus oryzae and papain, separately and in combination [0.5 g of either enzyme/100 g of substrate], followed by adding different amounts of activated carbon [0.3, 0.9, and 1.5 g] to them to remove phenylalanine. The combination of Aspergillus oryzae protease and papain, along with the use of 0.9 g activated carbon in the post-hydrolysis process, resulted in the lowest final phenylalanine content. The best condition for removing phenylalanine from milk was use of a combination of Aspergillus oryzae enzyme[0.5g of enzyme/100g of substrate] and papain [0.5 g of enzyme/100 g of substrate] with 0.9 g activated carbon in the post-hydrolysis process, resulting in removal of 99% of the phenylalanine

relationship between isokinetic squat and vertical jump in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed patients

For the rehabilitation program of the anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed patients [ACLR] strength and functional assessment and comparing with the uninvolved side is in great importance. Strength plays an important role in performing vertical jump moreover. It is performed in closed kinetic chain. Despite this importance, no information exists regarding the relationship on peak force of linear isokinetic and vertical jump score. The purposes of this study werel- To determine correlation between isokinetic squat and vertical jump in healthy and ACLR patients. 2- Comparing the peak force and vertical jump between the involved and uninvolved side of the ACLR patients. Twenty two ACLR patients with 6 months post-surgery and 16 healthy men participated in this study. Their isokinetic squat strength at the testing velocity of 25.4 cm/sec and vertical jump was measured. ACLR patients' peak force and vertical jump were significantly different between the involved and uninvolved side P<0.05. The findings showed low relationship [r=0.425] at the involved side between the vertical jump and peak force of squat, however, there was no relationship in the uninvolved side and the control group. Findings of this study indicate no relationship between vertical jump and peak force of squat. Both testing methods should be used since strength not always correlate strongly with physical performance. Closed kinetic chain isokinetic testing should be used for testing lower extremity strength, while vertical jump should be used to determine performance levels

Combined alpha-thalassemia and Hemoglobin J-Iran [beta 77 His --> Asp]. A Family Study in southern Iran

We report a 23-year-old man and three members of his family with Hb J-Iran confirmed by electrophoresis, chain separation by high performance liquid chromatography and sequencing. Alpha thalassemia was also confirmed in two family members. The substitution at beta 77 led to a higher negative charge of the beta J-Iran subunit, which enhanced its electrostatic attraction for the normal positively-charged alpha subunit. Therefore, more Hb J-Iran than Hb A forms in the red blood cells of heterozygotes. In alpha -thalassemia, the more attractive beta J-Iran subunit out-competes beta A subunits in forming assemblies with deficient alpha subunits, so even more Hb J-Iran was formed

[Effects of occupational exposure with mixture of aromatic organic solvents on liver enzymes in workers of an automobile plant]

Organic solvents have a broad range of application in industry. Hepatotoxicity of different organic halogenated solvents like carbon tetrachloride has been verified in numerous studies; however, studies investigating the association between the occupational exposure with aromatic organic solvents like benzene, toluene and xylene and hepatic toxicity are limited. The goal of this study was to review the long term effects of exposure with mixture of aromatic organic solvents, in higher amounts of permissible level, on hepatic system. This is a cross sectional study which was conducted in an automobile plant. Workers employed in the painting saloon were considered as cases and workers in assembly as controls. A questionnaire, containing demographic data like age and years of employment, was completed for each of 349 workers. After considering exclusion criteria, liver enzyme level [AST, ALT and ALP] of 163 case workers was compared with 186 controls. Concentration of mixture of organic solvents in painting saloon was twice and a half as much of the permissible level. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software, using T score, K2 and Linear Regression. The Mean level of ALP in case group was significantly higher than the control group [P<0.001]. For AST and ALT the mean was higher in the case group but this difference was not statistically significant. Increase in ALP level had a significant association with BMI [P<0.001] and smoking [P=0.007]; yet, no significant relation was seen with age and years of employment. Our study suggested that exposure with mixture of aromatic organic solvents, in higher amounts of permissible level, can cause mild functional liver damage [cholestatic type]. So, it is recommended to use liver function tests, especially ALP, for screening of workers exposed to mixture of aromatic organic solvents, for preliminary detection of hepatic dysfunction

[Review of drug treatments for nightmare in combat- related post-traumatic stress disorder]

Background: In Iran-Iraq war, many militants and civilians injured in body and soul aspects. Posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] is one of the psychiatery disorder who suffer it. Studies have shown the 80% percent of veterans who suffer from psychiatery disorder have PTSD. It means that PTSD is a prevalent, often chronic, significantly disabling illness in them. Sleep disturbance and freqnent nightmares are core symptoms of PTSD especially in combat veterans

Materials and Methods: This study is a review article. We gather articles in Internet by search engines snch as google and yahoo and we used Medical data bases such as: Pubmed and Iranmedex by keywords: PTSD, Post- traumatic stress disorder and nightmane

Results: In our stady we found traumatic- related nightmares in Posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] response to pharmatologic treatment. In a review article study We evaluated the efficacy of drugs that use for nightmare in PTSD. Drug such as Prazosin [alpha- 1 adrenerg: antagonist], Clonidin [alpha-2 receptor Agonist] , Propranolol [Beta- receptor Antagonist] Trazodone, Nefazodone, Cyproheptadine [5HT2- Blockers] are efficacious

Conclusion: Regards to frequent articles and researches in Iran and ont of country, Prazosin and Nefazodore are more efficacious in treatment for nightmare in combat- related Post- traumatic stress disorder

Comparison of the efficacy of oral [10 and15 mg/kg] and rectal [15 mg/kg] acetaminophen in fever reduction in children

Fever is the most common symptom of patients referring to pediatrics clinics. The first choice for antipyretic medication is acetaminophen with dosage of 10-15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours. We compared the efficacy of oral [10 and 15 mg/kg] and rectal [15 mg/kg] acetaminophen in fever reduction in children. A randomized, controlled trial was performed in 90 patients aged between 6 months and 6 years with fever >/= 39°Celsius. The patients were divided into three groups; Group 1 administerd rectal acetaminophen 15mg/kg, Group 2 oral Acetaminophen 15 mg/kg and Group 3 oral acetaminophen l0mg/kg. The results at the end of the first and third hour were assessed. The rate of temperature reduction at the end of the first and third hour in the group receiving rectal acetaminophen [15mg/kg] was 1.07 +/- 0.16 and 1/74 +/- 0.25, respectively. The rate of temperature at the end of the first and third hour in the group receiving oral acetaminophen [15mg/kg] was 0.98 +/- 0.19 and 1.25 and 1.7 +/- 0.14, respectively. The rate of temperature reduction at the end of the first and third hour in the group receiving oral acetaminophen [10mg/kg] was 0.63 +/- 0.18 and 1.25 +/- 0.22, respectively. There was no significant difference in temperature reduction between the groups receiving oral [15mg/kg] and rectal acetaminophen, but oral acetaminophen [10 mg/kg] was less effective in temperature reduction