[Effects of the long term exposure to mobile phone on testicular histology and serum level of testosterone in mice]

Background and Aim: the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mobile phone electro-magnetic field [EMF] on testosterone level and testicular tissue in rats

Material and Methods: a total of 30 male mice were randomly divided into two equal groups [ n=15]. Experimental group was exposed to EMF, by using mobile phone continuously for 90 days. Control group was kept under the same condition as the experimental group without EMF exposure. Throughout the study cell phones were placed on the wall of the cages. The cell phones were in standby mode for whole day and in talking mode for 150 min per day. At the end of the exposure period, total testosterone serum level was measured and histological examination of testicular sections were performed. Using GraphPad Prism' software, data were analyzed by t-test. P<0.0001 was considered significant

Result: mean plasma testosterone level in the experimental group was decreased compared to that in the control group [P<0.0001]. Histological examination of testicular tissue of the mice exposed to electromagnetic field revealed seminiferous tubules cellular necrosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the paranchymal tissue, and decreased leydig cell count at interstitial space. In some necrotized tubules, multinucleated cells [syncytium formation] were observed

Conclusion: the results of this study indicated that exposure to mobile phone electromagnetic waves could result in histopathological changes in the male mice testis. Further studies can cast light on the molecular mechanism underlying cellular and tissue damage induced by exposure to electromagnetic radiation

[ study on heat stress and its risk assessment in a steel factory]

A glance at different occupations and production processes showed that one of the important and popular occupational health problems in the workplace is improper climate conditions such as hot environments .In this condition the core body temperature may increase and cause some diseases, occupational accidents and reduction of efficiency. The purpose of this study is determination of heat stress and its risk assessment in a steel factory. In order to survey heat stress, a cross-sectional study was conducted in a steel factory in Ahwaz in the autumn season and WBGT index was used as a standard method for heat stress measurement. After measurement of WBGT index, the results were compared to ACGIH_TLV. In the second stage, for the assessment of probable heat hazard, psychometric conditions of work place along with some other parameters like work load, kind of occupation, distance between workplace and rest areas, water consumption and uses of personal protective devices were taken into account In this area, it was tried to determine the existence of improper probable heat condition with regard to priority and necessity for modifications. After measurement in production process, other workshops and administrative office, the data were compared to ACGIH standards .The results showed that the workplace had acceptable climate conditions from heat stress with 81.1%and there were no acceptable climate conditions with 18.9%which is above TLV. The workplaces heat risk assessment showed that their conditions with 14.3%, 49.3% and 36.4% were in level one to three respectively. Although the fall season in regions such as Khuzestan is cooler than summer, but employment in industries such as steel due to its exothermic process, a threat to the health of these kinds of workers. The heat conservation planning should not only be limited to the summer season. More research in the spring and even winter are recommended.

[ evaluation of antifungal activity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid on growth inhibition of standard strain of Candida albicans]

In recent years, the incidence of opportunistic fungi has shown a marked increase. Infection caused by common pathogenic fungi is a significant health problem in immune compromised hosts. The present study evaluated antifungal activity of Titanum dioxide nanoparticles and Ethylene diamine Tetra-acetic Acid against Candida albicans as self-cleaning agent by standard micro dilution test. The present study was conducted at the Medical University of Tarbiyat Modares in 2009. TiO2 nanoparticles were obtained through the hydrolysis of TiCl4 [Titanium tetrachloride]. Size and type of these nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy [SEM] and X-Ray-Diffraction [XRD]. Afterwards, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC] and Minimal Fungicide Concentration [MFC] test for TiO2 and EDTA were performed. Concentration of synthesized TiO2 was 7.03 mg/ml and 5.63 x 10[20] particles/ml. evaluation of morphology and diameter of the TiO2 nanoparticles with SEM showed that nanoparticles were spherical with diameter between 40-65 nm. MIC50 of 2.2, 1.24 and 0.125 micro g/ml respectively. MIC90 and MFC of TiO2, EDTA and fluconazole were 3.51, 2.48, 0.5 micro g/ml and 4.06, 3.1, 1 micro g/ml respectively. In the present study, using of synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles with chemical method showed a suitable activity against Candida in comparison with Fluconzaole. Thus it might represent a good candidates in elimination of Candida in medical from medical devices

Study of the demography of transferred patients to Tehran Imam Khomeini hospital by relief helicopter

Using of airplane or helicopter could play an important role in decreasing patients' mortality regarding the importance of reducing time of transmission and treatment. This paper aims to study the transferred patients' demography to Imam Khomeini hospital of Tehran by relief helicopter in order to make good use of facilities for injured triage. In this research patients files transferred to the Imam Khomeini hospital by air rescue and relief, were studied in terms of trauma epidemiology and how emergency services were done since the established air emergency on June 2000 to the end of March. About 92% of 158 patients were hurt in the accident. According to the results, the most common injured organs were the extremities, head and neck. And the worst damage was seen in multiple trauma patients who suffered from the injury to head, neck and thorax. Also, it takes about 23 minutes between the arrival of a patient to the emergency and her/his first visit. Most patients were treated with general surgery and orthopedic services. It is necessary to use appropriate criteria for patients screening in air rescue and relief. The large number of patients are in urgent need of orthopedic and general surgery services, so it is essential that the air rescue and relief should be equipped with facilities

[ inhibitory effect of lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on vancomycin resistant enterococcus faecalis colonization in mouse]

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci [VRE] are among the most common nosocomial pathogens worldwide. The intestinal tract provides a major source for transmission of these bacteria. Probiotics are living microorganisms that moderate use of them has inhibitory effect on intestinal colonization by enteric pathogens. We examined the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG [LGG] on inhibition of VRE colonization in mouse model. Twenty four mice [Balb/C] were controlled for a week and then were infected to VRE by daily receiving of 1ml oral vancomycin [250 micro g/ml] and 1ml VRE suspension in MHB [5x10[8]CFU/ml] for one week. Mice were randomly divided into two groups of treatment and control, and the effect of LGG probiotic was compared in the tow groups. VRE, total Enterococci, and enteric gram-negative bacilli counts in feces were determined before and after colonization by VRE. At first, all mice were colonized by non -Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci [mean 5x10[5]CFU/g for 7 days], and Vancomycin resistance was not detectable. Following gastric inoculation of VRE and receiving oral vancomycin, VRE was colonized in gastrointestinal tract of all mice [mean 1.6x10[6]CFU/g for 7 days]. Oral administration of LGG suppressed growth of all Enterococci, including the vancomycin-resistant strain in treatment group feces [P<0. 05]. It is concluded that probiotic can reduce colonization of VRE. More studies on the effect of probiotics in prevention and treatment of VRE and other common pathogens are suggested

[Graft refractive surgery for post-DALK atigmatism in keratoconus]

Evaluate the effect of relaxing incision and adjustment sutures to correct astigmatism after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty [DALK] in patients with keratoconus. This interventional case series included keratoconic eyes undergoing graft refractive surgery [GRS] for intolerable post-DALK astigmatism. The technique of graft refractive surgery for the 5 initial cases consisted of relaxing incisions at the steep meridian in the graft-host interface down to Descemet's membrane. The main outcomes were uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity, and change in refractive and keratometric astigmatism using subtraction and vector analysis methods. Fourteen eyes of 14 keratoconic patients [12 male subjects] with history of DALK underwent GRS. Mean age of the patients was 29.36 +/- 6.2 years and mean follow-up period was 12.0 +/- 7.4 months after initial GRS. Mean preoperative BCVA was 0.29 +/- 0.1 logMAR which improved to 0.22 +/- 0.1 logMAR after the operation [P=0.007]. Average keratometric astigmatism was reduced by 3.8 D and 5.5 D as measured by subtraction and vector analysis methods, respectively. Relaxing incisions and suturing at the steep meridian followed by selective suture removal can effectively and predictably reduce post-DALK astigmatism in patients with keratoconus

[Indications for corneal transplantation at labbafinejad medical center, 2004-2007]

To determine the indications for and surgical techniques of corneal transplantation at Labbafinejad Medical Center [LMC] from 2004 to 2007. In this descriptive study, records of 756 patients who had undergone corneal transplantation from October 2004 to October 2007 were reviewed. Overall, 504 male [64.9%] and 272 female [35.1%] subjects with mean age of 41.29 +/- 21.25 [range: 10 days to 89 years] were operated. Keratoconous [40.8%] was the leading indication for keratoplasty, followed by bullous keratopathy [11.7%], non herpetic corneal scar and opacity [8%], regrafts [7.8%], corneal ulcers [bacterial, fungal, acanthamoeba] [7.8%], herpetic corneal ulcer and scar [4.9%], corneal dystrophies [3.6%] and trachoma keratopathy [3.4%]. The most common type of corneal transplantation was penetrating keratoplasty [PKP] [67.6%], other types included: deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty [DALK] [13.9%], tectonic PK [10.3%], lamellar keratoplasty [LK] and automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty [ALTK] [6.7%], descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty [DSAEK] [0.9%] and keratolimbal allograft [KLAL] [0.5%]. Keratoconus remains the leading indication for corneal transplantation PK at LMC accounting for 40.9% of all grafts. But in comparison with previous studies, bullous keratopathy has increased. In our study the rate of lamellar keratoplasty, especially DALK, has also increased significantly. DSAEK which was begun in 2007 at LMC is rapidly becoming the preferred treatment for corneal endothelial dysfunction at this center

Regional evaluation of bacterial contamination in hospital environment cockroaches

Cockroaches play an important role in transmission of different diseases either mechanically and occasionally biologically. The aim of current study was on the identification of cockroaches and their contamination to different bacteria in two hospitals affiliated to the Kordestan University of Medical Sciences which was performed in 2003. Cockroaches were collected from different parts using sticky traps, direct collection, and by means of vacuum cleaner. Collected cockroaches were identified according to the reliable systematic keys. Some of the collected cockroaches were selected randomly for the presence of bacteria in their external parts as well as in the digestive tract using specific culture media. Totally 450 specimens were collected. From which 44.4% identified as American Cockroach, Periplaneta Americana and remaining German cockroach, Blattella germanica. Among collected cockroaches 58 specimens of German cockroaches and 40 American cockroaches were selected to search for the presence of bacteria. Results of culture media exhibited that 89.8% [88.98] of cockroaches were positive to the bacteria. The bacteria were found mainly on external parts [67%] and remaining from alimentary canal. The main common bacteria was found Escherichia coli, however, only 5.1% was Escherichia sp., which was found on external parts. Among two hospitals it is found that Tohid hospital was more infected [97.5%]. In the hospitals the infectivity of American cockroaches was more prevalent than other species. All the American cockroaches and 70% of German cockroaches were infected to at least one bacterium. Result showed that the presence of cockroaches in the hospitals can threaten the health of hospitalized patients. Both cosmopolitan species was found infected in the hospitals. Sanitation of different departments as well as different method of control is recommended in the context of Integrated Vector Management for cockroach control

[Diagnostic Value of serum cytokeratin-18 in dianosis of urothelial carcinoma]

To compare serum levels of cytokeratin-18 of patients with urinary bladder carcinoma with those of healthy controls and also to investigate if there would be any relationship between cytokeratin-18 levels and tumor stage, this study was performed. Serum cytokeratin-18 levels of 76 patients with bladder cancer and of 58 healthy people were determined. Tumor stage was T[1] in 24 patients, T[2] in 18 patients, T[3] in 20 patients and T[4] in 14 patients. The serum cytokeratin 18 levels in these cases were analyzed considering the tumor stage. Cytokeratin-18 level in the patient group was found to be significantly higher than that of control group [p<0.010]. However, when the levels of patients with different tumor stages were compared with control group, solely, the differences between those levels revealed to be not significant in patients with stage 1 and 2 tumors [p>0.05]. Regarding the cut off valueas 4.0 ng/mL, sensitivity and specificity for serum cutokeratin-18 were found to be 53% and 72%, respectively. Concerning the tumor stages, when sensitivity was calculated it was 8% for T[1], 33% for T[2], 90% for T[3] and 100% for T[4]. On the other hand, considering higher stage tumors [T[3] and T[4]] only, the sensitivity was calculated as 94%, whereas it was 19% for lower stage tumors [T[1] and T[2]]. It is obvious that serum cytokeratin-18 level increases in patients with urinary bladder carcinoma. However, as a tumor marker, it can be only useful in diagnosing the T[3] or higher staged tumors. This study indicated that cytokeratin-18 does not have any diagnostic value in lower stage bladder cancers

[Comparsion between cation-exchange chromatography using HbGold IVD and reference method of micro-chromatography in qualificative measurement of hemoglobin A2]

Accurate and precise hemoglobin separation and quantitation of HbA[2] and HbF are essential for diagnosis of thalassemia. To evaluate the potential application of cation-exchange chromatography by HbGold IVD in performing hemoglobin A[2] quantificative assay, comparison between this technique and reference method of micro-chromatography was carried out. The blood samples were obtained from individuals who had either thalassemia trait or healthy status [n=321]. Variability of HbA[2] quantitation was quite low; the CVs of within-run between run and interlaboratory studies were:1.8-3.1%, 3.4-6% and 6.6-8.8%, respectively. The results of HbA[2]% quantitated by HbGold analyzer correlated with those given by Helena microchromatogrophy system [r=0.974.p=0.001]. The HbGold was simple, rapid and reproducible. The application of HbGold analyzer for disgnosis of various phenotypes of thalassemia [the ailment which is frequently observed in Iran] is considered. In conclusion the HbA[2] assay of HbGold analyzer could be used for both the quantition of HbA[2] and the presumptive identification of thalassemia