Assessment of Semen Quality among Workers Exposed to Heat Stress: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Steel Industry

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate the heat stress and semen quality among male workers in a steel industry in Iran and investigate the relationship between heat stress indices and semen parameters. METHODS: The study was conducted on workers exposed (n = 30) and unexposed (n = 14) to heat in a steel industry. After obtaining a brief biography of the selected employees, scrotal temperature, oral temperature, and environmental parameters were measured, and their semen samples were analyzed according to the procedure recommended by the World Health Organization. The heat stress indices, including wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and predicted heat strain (PHS), in their workplace were calculated according to environmental parameters (ISO 7243:1989 and 7933:2004, respectively). RESULTS: Time-weighted averages of WBGT and PHS (35.76°C and 491.56 w/m2 w m 2 , respectively) for the exposed group were higher than threshold limit values. The mean difference of environmental, physiological, and semen parameters (exception: pH of semen), and also WBGT and PHS indices were statistically significant (p < 0.05) between the two groups. Mean semen parameters were in the normozoospermic range. WBGT and PHS indices showed significantly “negative” correlation with physiological parameters (scrotal and oral temperature) and most semen parameters (semen volume, sperm morphology, sperm motility, sperm count; p < 0.05); moreover, the correlation of WBGT with these parameters was stronger than PHS. CONCLUSION: Semen parameters of the studied workers exposed to heat were in the borderline level of normozoospermic range, and their semen parameters were significantly lower than controls. For better assessment of occupational environment concerning physiological and semen parameters in steel industries, WBGT can be a more useful index.

[Effect of cupping on morphine withdrawal symptoms in rat]

Nowadays, sedative drugs are the main therapeutic measures to attenuate the opioid withdrawal symptoms. These drugs have side effects, mainly dependency. However, physical therapies are found to be safe and without any serious adverse effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cupping, a kind of physical treatment, on morphine withdrawal symptoms in the rats. In this study male Wistar rats weighting 225-275gr were used. The animals were randomly assigned to 8 groups [n=10] and treated with morphine [dependent groups] or saline [nondependent groups]. The dependent groups received the additive doses of the morphine twice a day for nine days in order to induce dependency. Afterward, cupping was conducted on the GV14 acupuncture point either one time before withdrawal induction or daily in addition to administration of morphine or saline. In the control groups, the cup was just placed on the point without any vacuum induction. On the ninth day, 30 minutes after administration of saline or morphine, all groups received naloxone injection and the withdrawal symptoms including jumping, rearing, body grooming, abdominal-writhing, and wet-dog shaking were recorded for 60 minutes. The results revealed that a single cupping before the withdrawal induction significantly attenuated the withdrawal symptoms [p<0.01] compared to the control group. However, daily cupping failed to decrease the withdrawal symptoms in the dependent rats. The results also indicated that daily cupping in the non- dependent rats increased the naloxone-induced withdrawal symptoms significantly [p<0.01] in comparison to the saline control group. We found that one time cupping before withdrawal induction decreased the withdrawal symptoms which might be the result of the effect of the cupping on releasing the endogenous opioids and gabaergic pathway

[Evaluation of noise pollution and possibility of its control in a petrochemical plant]

This study was conducted to assess noise pollution in one of the petrochemical complex and take practical measures to reduce it. The companyis located in site 4 of Mahshahr Special Economic Zone. In the first phase of the research, environmental noise was measured to determine the noise levels in the different sections of the plant and also identify the main sound sources.Then, using the basic acoustic knowledge, a formula has been proposed as an index of noise control priority to select one section of the plant as the first priority for controlling noise. The main sound source of the selected section was known by referring to noise maps and contours and finally its acoustic properties were analyzed. The results showed that safety; caution and danger areas of the plant under study were 16.7%, 74.5% and 8.8% respectively and a major part of the danger zone [about 54%] was related to unit Air. Noise level in 24 percent of the caution zone ranged from 80 to 85 dBA and also it was above 90 dBA in 33.4% of danger areas. Compression section which was located in unit Air was known as first priority based on Noise Control Priority Index. Dryer machines were the main sound source in this section

Estimation of minibus and taxi induced air pollution in Yazd-Ardakan rord

The Existence of a safe, efficient, clean, fast, and economical public transportation system with the least environmental effects seems to be necessary with increasing population and people's need for using transport vehicles. The aim of this research is the investigation of air pollution in road transportation in Yazd-Ardakan route and estimation of the pollution at this route. In this study, the primary data were first collected by referring to the relevant organizations and departments and then by providing and distributing three questionnaires among drivers and passengers. The data were then analyzed by the Excell and Spss software for estimation of research results. The findings of this study indicated that transportation vehicles and relocation of the passengers in this route resulted in emission of annually 17.65 tons of suspended dust, 59.04 tons of hydrocarbons, 182.76 tons of carbon monoxide, 21.96 tons of sulfur dioxide and 40.8 tons of nitrogen oxide. Railway transportation because of reducing the emission of 286.31 tons of pollutants per year to the atmosphere and road accidents, improving traffic status in Yazd - Ardakan route, carrying many more number of passengers,having high efficiency on speed of transportation, saving and reducing of travel time, energy and cost of using personal vehicles and health proposed as a practical solution

[Prioritizing of chaharmahal va bakhtiari province rural districts based on population density-first step towards disaster mitigation measures]

Demographic data on crucial information regarding disaster management, particularly the Early Warning Systems are considered to be the basic requirements of disaster preparedness and mitigation measures. Population density information in developing countries is of critical importance but extremely scarce and mostly appears in the public. Demorgaphic census information often lacks spatial or location coherence in smaller scales, in a way that is not beneficial and useable in processes such as vulnerability assessment relating to the geographical limitations. Since rural areas play an important and undeniable role in agriculture, economy and production as well as revitalization of vast areas in the country and since they are more vulnerable for cultural and underlying causes, they are the focus of attention in the planning system of the country. Taking into consideration the rural demographic information, including population density is very important in adopting mitigation and preparedness measures in the development of rural physical settlements, guidance plans and enhancement and retrofitting of rural texture. Population density can help in targeting mitigation and preparedness measures. In this research, statistical data of population census were used for determining rural districts with high population density. Raw population data were gathered and evaluated, furthermore needed information was extracted from evaluated data and processing by using GIS soft ware. Demographic distribution and density in the area of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiyari province has been investigated in this study. Population density map of rural districts has been provided and according to this, the rural population density was 25.61 persons in 1 km[2] and it was allocated eighth position in the ranking of Iranian provinces. The villages of this Province have been prioritized in terms of population density into 5 groups, in order to implement rural housing retrofitting plans and large scale disaster management programs, especially mitigation, aiming at reducing human causalities in a significant manner

[Assessment of ischemic heart diseases and related risk factors in professional drivers]

Nowadays cardiovascular disorders are the most common cause of death in worldwide. Several studies have shown that ischemic cardiovascular diseases are more common in drivers, especially professional drivers, but underlying causes have not been completely understood. This study was a cross sectional, descriptive-analytic study. 1120 professional divers who worked with heavy vehicles and referred for periodic examinations to one of the centers of drivers examinations in city of Yazd with simple random sampling included in the study. The study findings showed that age, overweight, cigarette smoking, duration of driving, chronic diseases known as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, had a significant relationship with ischemic heart diseases [p <0.05], and second job, family history of ischemic heart diseases risk factors, vehicle type and regular exercise had not a significant relationship with ischemic heart diseases [p>0.05]. Because of high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors in drivers and lack of a concentrated system for driver's education, it seems that decreasing of these risk factors requires occupational medicine examination centers educate them too

Assessment of hearing standard threshold shift based on audiometric findings in steel company workers

Exposure of workers to excessive noise and its complications including hearing loss as one of the most important health problems in industries. Standard Threshold Shift [STS] is considered as an indicator for monitoring of the effectiveness of hearing conservation program [HCP] implemented in the industries. This study was designed to determine the frequency of STS and hearing loss in steel industry workers. 310 steel workers with sound level exposure to unauthorized noise [85 dBA or higher] that had at least 3 years work experience were enrolled. Required data were recorded in a questionnaire through direct interview. STS was investigated using baseline audiogram and audiometric evaluations. 22.3% of workers in 2008 and 41.3% of workers in 2009 had STS in both ears. There was a significant relationship between the sound exposure level and work experience with STS, while the relationship between age and STS was not significant. High frequency of STS in workers indicates unsuccessful hearing conservation program in the factory and careful implementation and reassessment of HCP seem necessary

effects of abdominal hollowing maneuver on thickness of lateral abdominal wall muscles

The Transversus Abdominis Muscle [TrA] is the deepest abdominal muscle which contributes to lumbosacral stability. Abdominal Hollowing [AH] maneuver is a clinical way to activate the TrA muscle in an isolated fashion. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AH maneuver on External Oblique [EO], Internal Oblique [IO], and Transversus Abdominis [TrA] muscles in supine and standing positions in both healthy men and women. This clinical trial study was conducted on 43 asymptomatic volunteers aged 19-44 years. After collecting demographic information, the participants were instructed to activate their TrA muscle in standing position. Then Rehabilitative Ultrasonic Imaging [RUSI] was performed for measuring thickness of all above muscles in both supine and standing positions and before and during doing AH. At the same time activation of the TrA was controlled by Pressure Biofeedback [PBF]. ANOVA, paired t-test and Pearson correlation tests were used to analyze the data. Values of p<0.05 were considered to be significant. During AH, the thickness of TrA increased significantly in both supine and standing positions [p<0.0001]. Also, thickness of the IO muscle increased in both men and women groups after AH [p<0.0001]. Generally, we observed that both IO and TrA thickness increased in standing position compared to supine position [p<0.003, p<0.0001] but advanced analysis indicated that TrA had increased only in its rest thickness [p<0.02]. There was no effect of AH or changing position on EO muscle's thickness [p<0.2]. It appears that performing AH in standing position can be effective on TrA thickness, although the PBF has been introduced as a clinical and available device for monitoring TrA activity, RUSI showed that both TrA and IO muscles were activated after AH. We recommend performing further investigations using electromyography and RUSI at the same time

[Time effect of oocyte collection from oviducton number and quality of oocyte and its effect on in vitro fertilization in rabbit]

Quality and quantity of ovum are major determinants in invitro fertilization. The aim of the present study was to determine effect of the time of oocyte collection and also distance of HCG injection to oviduct flushing on the quantity, quality and fertilizing ability of rabbit oocyte. Accordingly, sixty two adult female rabbit selected and randomly allocated to seven groups. The rabbits were superovulated with PMSG [50 IU/head] followed by HCG [45 IU/head]. Semen specimens were collected from two adult fertile male bucks using artificial vagina. Results showed, superovulation of 62 does yielded 412 oocytes [average 6. 6 oocyte/rabbit] and mean 7.8 +/- 1.7, 5.3 +/- 2.8, 5.2 +/- 2.7, 7.6 +/- 2.8, 4.3 +/- 2, 7.3 +/- 4 and 18.3 +/- 7.7 oocyte / animal for seven groups respectively. So, when flushing done after 23-30 hours of HCG injection and between hours of 19-24 of day, maximum oocyte were collected and in contrast the oocytes were minimum when flushing performed between hours of 9-14 of day at the same period, mean 18. 3 in contrast 4. 3 oocyte/rabbit respectively, this difference was significant [p<0. 01]. In 7 groups value of grade Aoocyte were 12.9, 8.1, 49.3, 26.2, 60.0, 18.2 and 54.8 percent respectively, so the difference of the first, second and sixth groups with the third, fifth and seventh groups and also forth with seventh group were high significant [p<0. 001]. From 223 oocytes were used for 27 times IVF experiments,%31 [n=69] of them were fertilized, so this value for 7 groups were 38. 5, 15. 6, 37. 6, 11. 0, 32. 0, 42. 0 and 100. 0 percent, respectively, and maximum significant difference was between seventh group with second and forth groups [p<0. 001]. Results of this study proposed that the best time for oocyte collection is hours between 19-24 of day, together with 23-30 hours after HCG injection, which produce maximum number, and fertilizable oocyte in Dutch laboratory rabbit

[ comparison on fluoride uptake rates in the enamel of permanent teeth after application of Cina and ADA standard gel [Sultan]]

Background and aim: periodic and regular fluoride therapy significantly reduces caries prevalence in children and adolescents. Nowadays, a lot of different kinds of fluoride gels are used in the dental office and determination of fluoride ion uptake rate by enamel is a good way to evaluate the efficacy of these products. The aim of this experimental study was to compare fluoride ion uptake rate by the enamel of permanent teeth after the application of "Cina" gel and an ADA standard gel [Sltan]

Methods and Materials: forty intact permanent premolars Nere divided into buccal and lingual halves - with diamond disks under to water. Buccal halves were considered as cases [Fluoride-applied] and lingual ones as controts. A half-circle [6mm diameter] adhesive tape was applied to the enamel surface and other parts were then covered with acid-resistant polish. After adhesive tapes removal twenty buccal halves were exposed to "Cina and the others to "Sultan" gel. After four minutes, the specimens were suspended in 5ml synthetic saliva for 24hours at 37 degree C. Afterwards, each specimen was etched for 30 seconds in lcc of 0.5M Acid Percholoric in two sequential stages and in each stage, the window was washed with 0.2M KOH solution. Measurements of fluoride and calcium concentrations were carried out using Potentiometer and Atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. Data were subjected to Paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and wilcoxon Signed Rank test

Results: results showed that mean fluoride concentration of cases was significantly higher than controls in "Sultan" group [1824.4 ppm vs. 1449.6 ppm, P=0.000 in the first layer of biopsy and 2032.5 ppm VS. 1310.5 ppm, P=0.000 in the second layer]. In Cina gel group, there were no significant differences in fluoride concentration of two biopsy layers in cases and controls [1521.7 ppm vs. 1450.3 ppm, P=0.316 in the first layer and 1385.8 ppm vs. 1357.6 ppm, P=0.951 in the second]. In both layers, the mean fluoride uptake rates were higher in "Sultan" than "Cina" group [392.8 ppm vs. 71.4 ppm, P=0.000 in the first layer and 722.1 ppm vs. - 1.7 ppm, P=0.000 in the second layer]

Conclusion: considering the insufficient uptake rate of fluoride ion in "Cina" gel, it is suggested that lhisgel has no efficiency in increasing enamel fluoride content