[Chemical quality of water entrance to dialysis machines and its comparison with AAMI and EPH standards in hospitals of Qom province, Qom, Iran]

The presence of certain chemical compounds in dialysis water which enter patients' bodies through haemodialysis can cause various problems such as acute poisoning, brain damage, osteoarthritis, Therefore, applying the standards for dialysis water is indispensible. This study was carried out to determine the chemical quality of water entrance to dialysis machines and its comparison with AAMI and EPH standards in the hospitals of Qom province. This is a descriptive-cross sectional study which was carried out on 45 samples of water entrance to dialysis machines in hospitals of Qom province. Since there were 3 hospitals in Qom having dialysis units, out of each one 15 samples were chosen as the samples of this study. The following machines were used for analysis of samples in the research: Atomic Absorption, DR4000 and Flame photometer. The gathered data were then analyzed by independent t-test [p<0.5]. The means of all measured compounds were statistically lower than standard levels and had a significant difference with standard levels. The elements and compounds such as Lead, Zinc, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphate, Nitrate, and Chloride in all the measured samples were below the standard levels, but elements such as Aluminum, Cadmium, and Fluoride were above the standard levels in 13, 6 and 9 percent of samples, respectively. The results of the study showed that in all cases the means of all the studied compounds were below the standard levels, indicating high quality dialysis water in the hospitals. However, the presence of high level of elements such as Aluminum, Cadmium, and Fluoride compared with the standard levels signifies that much should be done in examining dialysis water

[ epidemiology of pediculus is humanus capitis infestation and effective factors in elementary schools of Qom province girls 2010, Qom, Iran]

Nowadays pediculusis [Head-louse infestation] is one of the dermal infections with a Global distribution, and is prevalent worldwide. Head-louse infestation is highly common in collective centers such as schools, garrisons and champuses; in schools, specially in feminine elementary schools which is dramatically high. The current study has been conducted to determine the prevalence of Head-louse and to assess the epidemiologic features of the disease. This descriptive cross-sectional study was done over 1725 feminine elementary students from 75 schools in rural counties and total urban districts of Qom province by a multi stage random sampling. Data collection was done by questionnaires and physical exams of the hair. Analysis was done by Chi-square and Multivariate logistic regression model test. [Significant level with p<0.05 objected]. 131 of 1725 survived students, were infected by pediculusis. [7.6%]. The statistical meaningful relation was observed between the habitat, father's job and literacy, mothers literacy, family size, students grade, bath in home, bath times, daily comb, record of infestation in years ago, hygiene corrector in school, access or no access to primary health care and pediculusis [p<0.05 objected]. But no meaningful relation was detected between mother's job, head hairs length, type of school, residing status [private, rental and other site] and the prevalence of Pediculusis. Pediculusis is still a health burden in societies with low health and life standards. The high prevalence of pediculusis among students in the majority of schools in Qom province is attributable to inadequate access to health educator and sanitation facilities and inattention to personal health and related factors else

Identification of hepatitis B virus surface antigen [HBsAg] genotypes and variations in chronic carriers from Isfahan province, Iran

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] gene and protein variations are frequently been seen in chronic patients. The aims of study were to determine the genotypes as well as the patterns of variations distribution in chronically-infected patients from the central part of Iran. The surface gene was amplified, sequenced and subsequently aligned using international and national Iranian database. All strains belonged to genotype D, subgenotype Dl and subtype ayw2. Of all 62 mutations occurred at 39 nucleotide positions, 31 [50%] were missense [amino acid altering] and 31 [50%] were silent [no amino acid changing]. At the amino acid level, 30 substitutions occurred, however, 3 were in positions 122 and 127, corresponded to subtypic determination. 22 [73%] out of 30 amino acid mutations occurred in different immune epitopes within surface protein, of which 12 [54.54%] in B cell epitopes in 10 residues; 5 [45.45%] in T helper epitopes in positions; 5 [22.73%] in inside CTL epitopes in 4 residues. The distribution of amino acid mutations as well as the ratio between silent and missense nucleotide mutations showed a narrowly focused immune pressure had already been on the surface protein in these patients, led to the emergence of escape mutants in these patients

[ relation between serum zinc level and febrile seizures in children admitted to Zanjan Valie-Asr Hospital]

Febrile seizures [FS] are the most common seizures seen in childhood with a prevalence of 2-14% in different societies. This study was carried out regarding the possibility of the relationship between serum zinc levels and occurrence of FS. 117 children ranging from 6 months to 5 years were divided into four groups: FS [n=39], febrile patients with no seizures [FNS] [n=40], control group of afebrile patients with no seizures [AFNS] [n=32], and patients with seizures without fever [n=6]. After completion of a questionnaire and obtaining blood, serum zinc levels were measured. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. The mean serum zinc levels in 39 FS patients was 75.67 mcg/dl, 40 febrile patients with no seizure had a mean serum zinc level of 87.58 mcg/dl. 32 afebrile patients with no seizure had a mean serum zinc level of 89.06 mcg/dl and in 6 afebrile patients with seizure; the mean serum zinc level was 96/67 mcg/dl. The serum zinc level in FS patients was significantly lower than the other groups [p=0.002 and p=0.001], whereas the 3 other groups had no significant difference [P= 0.971]. Regarding the high incidence of hypozincaemia in FS, low serum zinc levels may be associated with the occurrence of FS

[Mechanism and removal efficiency of C.I. acid blake 1 by pumice stone adsorbent]

Treatment of colored wastewater is one of the important challenges of environmental engineers. Adsorption process is a key option for removal of organic matter from wastewater. The aim of present work was to investigate pumice stone as an adsorbent for removal of Acid Black 1 from aqueous solution. Removal of Acid Black 1 by pumice stone was investigated. Acid Hyrdo Chloric[HCL] 1 N was used to increse adsorbent porosity. Various parameters such as pH, initial dye concentration and contact time were studied. Results showed that removal of Acid Black 1 was increased by increasing of contact time and initial dyeconcentration although it was decreased by increasing of pH. Experimental data was best fitted to Longmuir isotherm model [r2>0.98]. Study of diffusion model revealed that intraparticle diffusion is rate-controlling step in removal of Acid Black 1 by pumice stone. The results indicated that pumice stone was a dominant adsorbent for Acid Black 1 removal

[Chemical compositions and antiviral effects of the essential oil of zataria multiflora boiss. and origanum majorana L.]

Zataria multiflora Boiss. is considered as an annual plant endemic in south of Iran. Origanum majorana L. is one of the most famous medicinal and nutritional herbs growing in the temperate zones of south Europe. These two have been used as carminative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, bronchodilator and expectorant in traditional medicine of Iran and European countries. In the current study, chemical composition and antiviral effect of the essential oil of Z. multiflora and O. majorana are investigated. Composition of the essential oil samples obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Z. multiflora and O. majorana [Lamiaceae] were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Antiviral effect of the oils were investigated on Herpese simplex separately. Twenty-four components in the oil of Z. multiflora with thymol [38%], carvacrol [34.96%] and para-cymene [7.17%] as the major constituents were identified. Twenty-seven components in the oil of O. majorana were recognized, whereas terpinene-4-ol [36.2%], para-cymene [16.3%] and gamma-terpinene [7.31%] were the main components. The concentration of 1/10000 of each oil was added to Hela cells contained with HSV-I. The growth of the organism was not inhibited at this concentration of the oils. In this research 98.62% and 96.72% of the essential oil of Z. multiflora and O. majorana were determined. Both essential oils were characterized by a high amount of oxygenated compounds [85.33% and 60.3% respectively]. Where as the concentration more than 1/10000 of the oils were citotoxic for Hela cells, more study and different methods is needed to investigate antiviral effects of these two oils

[Survey of optimal methods for the control of cockroaches in sewers of Qom city]

Domestic sewers and wastewater treatment plants are suitable places for the growth of some types of Cockroaches. Annually the water and wastewater company of Qom city make considerable attempts to overwhelm the problem. The current study is aimed to determine types of Cockroaches and select the optimal methods for their control. In this study, 120 manholes are selected in different locations of Qom city, the numbers of Cockroaches are counted and the Cockroaches are classified into different groups. Then, each group are faced to different insecticides Including Simperator, Diazinon, Dursban Ec, Faikam, Sipermetrin, Icon, Deltametrina and Sulfac. One group of manholes was considered as blank sample during one month. Counting and determination of Cockroaches in these manholes conducted before using insecticides and also five months after it. the study showed that all sewers were 100% polluted by Cockroaches. The number of Cockroaches in manholes range from minimum 4 to maximum 3600 in each manhole. The applied of insecticides including Dursban Ec, Simperator, Sulfac, Dursban, and Deltametrina are used 2 gr in 100 square meter of area of each sewer. The Cockroaches population reduced to approximately zero after application of these insecticides. Spraying sewers by Simperator controlled 100% of Cockroaches. the most effective method for the control of Cockroaches was usage of 2 gr of Dursban [Ec] in squaremeter of area in the beginning of warmseason.If we use 1-1/5months interval between the time of spraying insecticide in selected wells, with using simperator and dursban [Ec] we can overwhelm Cockroaches using Simperator and Dursban Ec. The results of statistical analysis show that reduction of number of coackroaches in one month after using poison is significant [P-value<0.05]. But after 5months it lose meaningful in all of them.Also, reduction of number of coackroaches in blank manholes was not statistically significant

Predictors of malnutrition among Zahedan's children, age ranging from 2-5 years old in 2007-2008

Periodical evaluation of anthropometric indicators is one of the best methods for monitoring of children's nutritional status and also is an appropriate information resource for the health system of the countries. The purpose of this study was assessing prevalence and predictors of three anthropometric indices, underweight, stunting and wasting among 2-5 year old Children in Zahedan, 2007-2008. This descriptive analytjcal study was conducted on 1245 children [2-5 years old] in Zahedan, 2007-2008. Samples were selected from 5 different districts in Zahedan. Data were collected using records and interviews with mothers. In this study, wasting [weight for height], stunting [height for age] and underweight [weight for age] were evaluated based on Z score = -2.5. Data were analyzed using independent T-test, ANOVA, Chi square and linear logistic regression. In this study, the prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweighting were found as 4.2%, 7.6% and 3.4%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that wasting had a significant relation with birth weight and birth interval. In addition, stunting had relation with birth weight, mothers' educational level, fathers'job, nutritional status, infection history, birth interval and mothers' age. Underweight showed significant relation with sex, birth weight, nutritional status, infection history, birth interval and mothers' age [P<0.05]. In multiple analysis, birth interval demonstrated significant relation with wasting and birth weight, mothers' age had significant relation with stunting, birth weight and birth interval and finally, mothers' age had significant relation with underweight [P<0.05]. Considering to results obtained from this study, the most important factors related to the three above mentioned anthropometric indices are birth weight, birth interval and mothers' age. Therefore; improving these variables, may help decreasing the prevalence of malnutrition among children

Toxicity of trigonella foenum graecum [fenugreek] in bone marrow cell proliferation in rat

Fenugreek has a wide range of medical applications and its medicinal use has been clear in several studies, however, few studies are available on effects on haematopoietic stem cell of bone marrow. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of Fenugreek on fetal macroscopic diameters and microscopic bone marrow cell histological changes in its teratogenic dosages. Fenugreek decoction was dissolved in 1.5 milliliter distilled water and injected intraperitoneumly in three dosages of 0.8 g/kg, 1.6 g/kg, and 3.2 g/kg for three groups of Wistar female rats mated by Wistar male. For another group [as control group] only 1.5 milliliter distilled water was injected. Bone marrow tissue was prepared from rat fetus and was cut using a microtome and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Sections were evaluated for changes using light microscope. LD50 for the measurement of teratogenic dosage of fenugreek was 4.1 and 3.5 g/kg in female and male rat, respectively. There was a positive relation between the injected drug dosage and fetal mortality rate. Among all fetal diameters, ear to ear diameter was decreased in groups received Fenugreek decoction. The severity of stem cell histological changes caused by 3.2 g/kg drug injection was lower than distilled water injection and in evaluation of other cells, differences in the severity of histological changes across three groups with different drug dosages and control group was detected. Fenugreek in teratogenic dosages can decrease the severity of bone marrow cell proliferation and increase fetal mortality rate

[Clinical comparison of two dentin bonding systems [prompt and excite] in treatment of dentin hypersensitivity]

Introduction: Many clinical studies have evaluated different dentin bonding agents in treatment of dentin hypersensitivity [DH]. But the use of acid is controversial and the effect of self-etch bonding agents isn't clearly defined

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare two dentin bonding systems, prompt [self-etch bonding system] and excite [with and without acid] in treatment of DH

Materials and Methods: This clinical study had a double-blind, randomized, subject design and was performed on 41 sensitive teeth with DH. We had 3 groups e1 [we used excite without acid], e[2] [excite with acid] and p [prompt]. Two stimuli [cold water 20??c and compressed air] and two methods for evaluation [[VAS [Visual Analogue Scale] and response time]] in 3 times [before treatment, immediately after treatment and two weeks after it] were used

Results: All treatments showed significant reductions in DH. In the VAS scores, no significant difference was found. But in the response time, the groups e1, P significantly showed better results than group e2.[P<0.05]

Conclusion: Treatment effects were improved in all groups with time. Use of acid before the bonding agent had a negative effect but there was no significant difference between prompt and excite [without acid etching]. It's worth nothing that the measurement of response time to stimulus compared to the VAS method is more accurate in evaluation studies of pain rate

Molecular detection of prostate specific antigen in patients with prostate cancer or benign prostae hyperplasia the first investigation from Iran

Prostate cancer is the second common form of cancer in men. Detection of circulating Prostate Specific Antigen [PSA] transcripts has effectively been used for early diagnosis of prostate cancer cells. This investigation employed a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] technique to distinguish the patients with either localized or metastatic prostate cancer [CaP] vs. Benign Prostate Hyperplasia [BPH] and control subjects, as compared with clinical and pathological records. With reservation of ethical issues, blood samples were collected from 60 cases. Based on pathological and clinical findings, 25 patients [20 with localized cancer, 5 with metastatic], 22 with BPH, and 13 healthy [including 3 females] subjects as negative controls, were selected from Shariati, Mehrad, Sina,, Khatam and Atie Hospitals in Tehran, Iran. RT-PCR for a 260 bp PSA transcript was then performed. Clinical and pathological records were used for the assessment and comparison of PSA RT-PCR results. None of the control subjects and BPH [with 7 exceptions] were found positive by RT-PCR [Relative specificity= 72.7%]. In patients with prostate cancer, 21 out of 25 were found PSA positive [Relative sensitivity=83.4%] and the remaining 3 have been shown to be PSA negative [Positive predictive value= 83.4%]. All of 5 metastatic patients [100%] revealed PSA positive results. Our data reflects the clinical relevance and significance of RT-PCR results as assessed with clinical and pathological examinations. PSA RT-PCR might be used as a powerful means for diagnosis, even when either pathological or clinical findings are negative, and could be employed for further molecular epidemiology surveys

Study of lactobacillus as probiotic bacteria

Because of inhibitory effect, selected probiotic lactobacilli may be used as biological preservative, so, the aim of this study was to present some data on lactobacillus as probiotic bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from sausage. Each isolate of lactobacillus species was identified by biochemical tests and comparing their sugar fermentation pattern. Antibacterial activities were done by an agar spot, well diffusion and blank disk method. Enzyme sensitivity of supernatant fluid and concentrated cell free culture after treatment with alpha-amylase, lysozyme and trypsin was determined. The isolated bacteria were Lacto. plantarum, Lacto delbruekii, Lacto. acidophilus, Lacto. brevis. The isolated bacteria had strong activity against indicator strains. The antibacterial activity was stable at 100°C for 10 min and at 56°C for 30 min, but activity was lost after autoclaving. The maximum production of plantaricin was obtained at 25 - 30°C at pH 6.5. Because, lactobacilli that used to process sausage fermentation are producing antimicrobial activity with heat stability bacteriocin, so, these bacteria may be considered to be a healthy probiotic diet. Lactobacilli originally isolated from meat products are the best condidates as probiotic bacteria to improve the microbiological safety of these foods