[Quality zoning of seasonal changes in nitrate and ammonia in drinking water wells of Babol city using GIS system]

Background: Underground water resources constitute an important part of urban water resources. One of the serious challenges in ensuring and promoting community health is gradual increase in nitrate levels of drinking water of communities across the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the seasonal variation of nitrate and ammonia levels in drinking water wells of Babol city using GIS software, in 2010-11.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was performed on drinking water wells of Babol city in 2010-11. Sampling was done according to a standard method from 20 drinking water wells, in different seasons; and in final, 80 water samples were analyzed. Nitrate and ammonia concentration of samples was measured using Spectrophotometer DR2000 [Hach company] in 500 and 425 nm, respectively. For qualitative analysis and seasonal fluctuation of nitrate and ammonia concentration of different areas, Geographic information systems, ArcGIS, was used.

Results: The results showed that the highest amount of nitrate was in summer [23.68 mg/l], and the lowest was in winter [14 mg/l]. While the highest and the lowest amount of ammonia was in spring [0.43 mg/l] and summer [0.06 mg/l], respectively. Also, the results showed that only in well number 5 located in Kate Sofla village, nitrate concentration had increasing trend, and in the remaining wells, nitrate and ammonia concentration, had an increasing and a decreasing trend, respectively.

Conclusion: The results indicate that nitrate and ammonia levels in all samples were lower than the WHO recommendations. To avoid increasing in the ammonia and nitrate concentrations in the underground waters, ongoing training to farmers on the proper use of chemical fertilizers, as well as the construction and operation of wastewater collection systems are recommended.

Fluoride concentration in potable groundwater in rural areas of Khaf city, Razavi Khorasan province, northeastern Iran

Long-term exposure to high concentrations of fluoride is associated with several adverse effects on human including dental and skeletal fluorosis. We studied all the groundwater wells located in rural areas of Khaf city, Razavi Province, northeastern Iran between 2009 and 2010. Fluoride concentration of water samples was measured by SPADNS method. We found that in rural areas the fluoride concentration ranged from 0.11 to 3.59 ppm-the level was less than the permissible limit in 31% of studied samples, higher than the permissible limit in 4% of the samples, and within the optimum limit of 1 to 1.5 ppm in 65% of water samples

Amniotic membrane dressing vs conventional topical antibiotic dressing hospitalized brun patients

Different natural and synthetic materials were used for temporary burn wound coverage; however, they are associated with disadvantages including high price which prohibit their widespread use, especially in developing countries. Among all, human amniotic membrane is the only easily available and cost free coverage. Its effects on burn wounds have been studied in this survey. One-hundred and twenty four patients with 20-50% second and third degree burns and without any other disease were randomly assigned into two groups. The first 61 patients [control group] underwent traditional method of dressing with silver sulfadiazine and gauze which were changed twice a day. The remaining 63 patients underwent dressing with human amniotic membrane [amnion group], being changed every 3-4 days. Patients in the control group had significantly lower albumin and needed more albumin infusion [231.80 +/- 234 gr. versus 111.51 +/- 143.82 gr.], received more blood transfusion [1.75 +/- 2.52 bags versus 0.65 +/- 1.18 bags], had significantly more intense pain and so received more narcotics than amnion group [7.97 +/- 12.85 doses versus 3.84 +/- 7.56]. Wound infection was higher in the control group [65.66% versus 46.91%] and so was the incidence of sepsis [24.62% versus 6.10%]. There was 8.53% mortality in the control group versus 0% in the amnion group. All of the above-mentioned differences were statistically significant. Amniotic membrane dressing in deep and more extensive burns leads to better homeostatic, immunologic and local results and because of its low price, its use is strongly recommended

Self-burning: a common and tragic way of suicide in fars province, Iran

Self-burning is the most devastating burn injury. It is a common social and medical problem in Iran. In a longitudinal prospective study, from April 2003 to March 2006, all burn patients admitted to Ghotb-eddin burn Hospital were enrolled in this study. Suicide attempts by burning accounted for 283 [21.9%] of all burn patients admitted to the hospital. Most [68.2%] of self-burning patients were female. Self-burn patients had significantly large burned body surface area [64.8 +/- 29%]. Suicidal burns occurred predominantly in the age group 15-24 years [44.6%]. The mortality rate for suicidal burns was [60.4%]. Fars is a province composed of many different tribes and cultural minorities whereby major decisions are made by forums of clergymen. It is important to involve those clergymen in burn prevention programs to achieve a meaningful reduction in Self-burning prevalence

Comparison of mortality and mean hospital stay between patients with burns in upper and lower extremities in Southern Iran

Burn injury according to severity, extent and organ involvement leads to different mortalities and morbidities. Considering burn injuries of similar extent, the mortality related to lower extremity seems to be higher than that of upper extremity. This study was performed to compare the mortality and mean hospital stay between two groups of burn patients with upper and lower extremities admitted to Ghotbeddin Hospital during a two years period. The present retrospective study encompassed 322 patients aged from 15-40 years with 45% females and 55% males and burns of 15%-40% during a two years period. Depending on 2/3 or more of total burns; they were divided into two groups with burns in the upper and lower extremities. Upon comparison of the mean hospital stay and mortality rate, it was shown that the mean hospital stay in those with burns of lower extremity was two weeks, which was longer than that in patients with upper extremity burns. Mortality in lower extremity burns was about 10% more than that of upper extremity. It seems that treatment of lower extremity burns along with appropriate planning for intensive care of this organ would help reduce mortality, save time and lower costs