Effects of heavy metals from petroleum pollutions on carbonate surface sediments of the persian Gulf

Persian Gulf is a tectonic intra-continental sediment basin in which 40% of global oil and gas trade carries out and is a rich oil and gas resource. Persian Gulf area is about 236000km2 that is one of the largest marine habitats including corals, sponges, crabs, fishes, clams, scaphpoodas, cephalopodas, foraminiferas, echinodermatas, ostracodas and bryozoas. some of them live in seabed sediments of Persian Gulf and their footprints of are still available and visible on the sediments. This study aimed to identify the effects of oil filters, drilling platforms and ship traffics on seabed sediments, we used 240 surface sediment, Sampled Sea cruise named [MG-2008-PG Cruise] within six fractions and sedimentary components were studied during morphoscopic and morphometric tests by Binocular Microscope as well as Electron Microscope in some cases. Chemical synthesis carried out with chemical analysis with ICP instrument and organic material proportion determination by Rock-Eval device. Results indicate that the effect of pollution in Persian Gulf has endangered fauna environments and absorption by shells has changed skin color to red, grey, and black. Some shells have deformed and lost their ornament. In addition, pollution has led to change the color of ooids. It identified that black color was due to existence of hydrous iron sulfide, organic materials, and oil pollutants, the source of elements could rather be from organic sources such as oil

[Epidemiological pattern of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Mazandaran Province, Iran [2001-11]]

Due to the increase of incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Iran, This study was conducted to determine the epidemiological pattern of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in the Mazandaran province, northern Iran. This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on medical record of 3313 tuberculosis patients in Mazandaran province, northern Iran during 2001-11. Age, gender, affected year, area and affected organ were gathered for each patient. 843 [25.4%] of subjects were diagnosed with extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis increased by 4% for every unit increase in incidence year [P<0.05]. The mean age of patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis was significantly less than patients with pulmonary tuberculosis [42.8 +/- 20.6 years vs. 48.7 +/- 21.2, P<0.05]. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis was significantly higher in women [P<0.05]. The chance of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in women was 1.7 times of men. Lymph node [33%] was the most common affected organ followed by pleura [18.9%] and bone [17.7%]. The trend of incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis was ascending during 2001 to 2011. The most affected organ in extra pulmonary tuberculosis was lymph nodes

Causes and anatomical site of blindness and severe visual loss in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran

This study in 2005 evaluated the causes and major anatomical site of blindness and severe visual loss at a school for blind children in Isfahan province, Islamic Republic of Iran. All 211 students were examined according to the modified WHO/PBL eye examination record: 70.4% were blind, 24.3% had severe visual loss and 5.3% were visually impaired. The major causes of abnormality were hereditary factors [42.7%], prenatal/ neonatal [18.5%] and unknown etiology [35.5%]. The main sites of abnormality were the retina [62.6%], whole globe [17.5%], lens [7.1%] and optic nerve [7.1%]. A high proportion of parents were in a consanguineous marriage [49.2%]. The pattern of blindness in Isfahan encompasses characteristics of both developed and developing countries

[Severe active ulcerative colitis and resistance to intravenous hydrocortisone therapy: successful treatment with methylprednisolone pulse therapy]

Ulcerative colitis is a mucosal-inflammatory disease that usually involves the rectum and extends proximally to involve all or part of the colon. Medications for treatment include anti-inflammatory agents such as 5-ASA compounds, systemic and topical corticosteroids and immunomodulators. A 33 year-old female and 52 year-old male both diagnosed with severe active ulcerative colitis who were resistant to intravenous hydrocortisone therapy [400 mg/day] were admitted to our clinic. Respectively, the patients were treated with pulsed steroid therapy at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/day methylprednisolone intravenously, for three consecutive days. After the treatment, the patients potentially achieved complete clinical remission. In conclusion, pulsed steroid therapy may induce complete clinical remission in patients with severe, active ulcerative colitis who have resistance to intravenous conventional steroid therapy

Phytobiological characteristics of Rosa hemisphaerica Herrm. extract

Roses are one of the most important groups of ornamental plants referred to as the queen of flowers and their fruits and flowers are used in a wide variety of food, nutritional products and different traditional medicines. A large diversity is expected to be found in Iranian Damask rose landraces with different biological properties. The antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Rosa hemisphaerica Herrm. were studied. Methods: The agar disc diffusion method was employed for the determination of antimicrobial activities. Total phenol contents of both extracts were estimated. Antioxidative properties of the extracts were determined by bleaching of beta carotene or 2, 20-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl [DPPH]. The Ferric-Reducing Antioxidant Power [FRAP] was expressed as gallic acid equivalents. Cytooxicity of the extracts were tested using Hela and human healthy peripheral blood cells. of various microorganisms tested, only S. aureus was found susceptible. The total phenol contents of the methanolic and aqueous extracts were 138.33 +/- 11.37and 129.67 +/- 4.51 micro g Gallic acid equivalent/mg sample respectively. DPPH scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition effects were higher than those of the synthetic antioxidants. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power [FRAP] of the methanolic and aqueous extracts were determined as 96.134 +/4.25 mg/g and 98.63 +/- 2.51 mg/g respectively. The 50% cytotoxic concentrations were found to be 0.327 mg/ml 0.177 mg/ml for Hela cells and human lymphocytes respectively. It can be concluded from the above results that R. hemisphaerica extract exhibited antimicrobial activity only against S. aureus. The extracts provided better antioxidative activity as compared with synthetic antioxidants. The extracts were toxic to the Hela cells as well as human lymphocytes. Hence, the R. hemisphaerica extract may be exploited as a natural antioxidant and health promoting agent

[Prevelance of adynamic bone disease among dialysis patients reffer to Tehran Dialysis Center]

Background: during the last few years the spectrum of renal osteodystrophy [ROD] in dialysis patients has been studied thoroughly and the prevalence of the various types of ROD has changed considerably. Whereas until a decade ago most patients presented with secondary hyperparathyroidism [HPTH], adynamic bone [ABD] has become the most common lesion within the dialysis population over the last few years

Materials and Methods: in this study [n=127], the prevalence of ABD in the memorialized patients [more than 3 months dialysis] was evaluated by means of these biochemical markers [especially PTH<100]. Clinical data on the patients included were recorded at the moment of blood sampling

Results: HPTH was found in only15% of the patients, whereas ABD appeared to be the most frequent renal bone disease as it was observed in 44% of the cases. There was no significant difference between groups in age, sex and serum Albumin, Hb levels. Patients with ABD had significantly higher serum calcium and phosphor levels, whilst HPTH patients were associated with higher serum Alp level

Conclusion: ABD is the most prevalent type of ROD in this population

Arginase status in bull reproductive system

Seven healthy and sexually adult bulls were slaughtered and their reproductive system was isolated. Different tissues including: testes, epididymis, vas deferan, ampulla, accessory sex glands [seminal vesicle, prostate and bulbourethra], muscular and mucosal layer of pelvic and penile urethra were carefully dissected. Total soluble protein and arginase specific activity [ASA] were measured by Lowry and modified paranitrophenylglyoxal [PNPG] method, respectively. The results indicate that the highest arginase specific activity [51.28 +/- 8.79 x10[-3] IU/mg of protein] is present in muscle of pelvic part of urethra. Based on ASA, bulls reproductive system was categorized in three tissue groups: high, medium and low. Muscular layer of penile urethra with the highest ASA level [> 50 X10[-3] IU/mg tissue protein] is in the 1st group, Testes, bulbourethral gland and mucosal layer of penile urethra [30-40 X10[-3] IU/mg tissue protein] are in the2nd group and the rest parts [<25 X10[-3] IU/mg protein] are in 3rd group. Significant differences observed between classified tissues [p<0.05]. The present study indicate that ASA is present at different levels in all parts of bull reproductive system. This condition may be related to different rate of cell proliferation and differentiation or some other unknown physiological and biochemical activities of the enzyme in this system

[Evaluation of the cause and predisposing factors in neonatal mortality by using international coding diseases version 10 in Valiasr Hospital]

According to the fact that the reduction of Neonatal Mortality Rate is correspondent to improvements in health and hygienic status of the society, understanding the major neonatal mortality causes will help the society to plan better prenatal and neonatal care systems. On this retrospective study, the major causes of the mortality of the dead neonates were extracted from files of Vali-Asr hospital according to the International Coding of Disease Ver 10 [ICD[10]]. Data were analyzed in proportion to gestational age, birth weight, gender and neonatal age. Mortality rate was higher during the first week of life [78%]. Generally five main causes of death were; prematurity, respiratory distress syndrome, intra cerebral hemorrhage, multiple congenital anomalies and air leak syndromes. It was also revealed that the causes of death of low birth weight neonates were similar to those of premature neonates [respiratory distress syndrome, prematurity, intra cerebral hemorrhage, septicemia and air leak syndromes]. Similarly there was no difference between the causes the of death in mature neonates and appropriate for growth age neonates. The main causes of death in these two groups were; congenital disease, infections [septicemia and Pneumonia], asphyxia, diffuse intra vascular coagulation, intra cerebral hemorrhage, meconium aspiration and complications of pregnancy. Data analysis indicated significant relationships between death and gestational age, neonatal age and birth weight [P=0.001] but it was not related to gender. With due attention to the easy application of ICD 10 for determining the major and underlying causes of death of neonates and the fact that autopsy is not routinely applicable in neonatology wards, routine using of ICD 10 for classifying the causes of death in death certificates is highly recommended

study of the relationship between organizational culture and the manager's leadership styles in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 1382

Nowadays, organizational culture plays an important role in the process of developing and reconstructing an organization. The selection of an appropriate leadership style by the manager has a significant impact on the development and establishment of a favorable oragnizational culture which pave the ground for the organizations to compete with others. This is a descriptive study in which 28 managers including the bosses and their deputies in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were selected in census. The data were collected by two questionnaires one for organizational culture and one for leadership style. The validity and reliability of the questionnairs were examined. Both descriptive [e.g percentage of frequency] and inferential statistics [e.g.chi.square, Fisherman exact test, Mann-Withney] were used to analyze the data. The leadership style was frequently cooperative in this study. There was a powerful organizational culture prevailing and there was no relationship between the manager's leadership style and different organizational cultures due to lack of variation in leadership styles and their demographic features. And neither was any relationship between different kinds of organizational cultures and the manager's demographic features when p-value is less than 0.05. The findings revealed that the managers did not have enough variations in their leadership styles. The managers should be able to choose an appropriate leadership style according to the specific situation they encounter