[Comparison of correlation between wet bulb globe temperature, physiological strain index and physiological strain index based on heart rate with heart rate and tympanic temperature on workers in a glass factory]

Heat stress is one of the main and the most common problems in the work environments. Extreme heat exposure can cause different clinical symptoms, including headache, nausea, vomiting. The aim of this study is to compare the correlation of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, Physiological Strain Index and Physiological Strain Index based on heart rate heat stress indices with tympanic temperature and heart rate among the workers of a glass factory. This cross- sectional study was conducted in a glass factory located in Tehran. 72 male subjects were participated in the study. Atmospheric parameters including dry temperature, natural wet bulb temperature and globe temperature were measured to determine the heat stress indices. Tympanic temperature and heart beat rates were also measured. The data were statistically analyzed using the Pearson and Spearman correlation as well as the linear regression tests. The correlation between tympanic temperature and heart rate with heat stress indices was significant [p-value<0.05]. The poly-nominal correlation [R[2]] between Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index with heart rate and tympanic temperature was 0.208 and 0.214 respectively. This correlation between Physiological Strain Index with heart rate and tympanic temperature was 0.423 and 0.701 respectively. The correlation between Physiological strain index based on heart rate with heart rate and tympanic temperature was 0.579 and 0.068 respectively. The Physiological Strain Index heat stress index had higher correlation with measured physiological parameters in this study.

Occupational exposure of petroleum depot workers to BTEX compounds

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene [BTEX] are the most important toxic volatile compounds in the air and could be easily absorbed through the respiratory tract. In recent years, the risk of exposure to BTEX compounds, especially benzene as a carcinogen, has been considered in petroleum depot stations. To assess the occupational exposure of petroleum depot workers in Iran to BETX compounds. After completing a questionnaire and assessing occupational exposure to BETX compounds, 78 [46 exposed and 32 non-exposed] depot workers were randomly selected to participate in this study. Air sampling and analysis of BTEX was conducted according to the NIOSH method No. 1501. Analysis of urinary hippuric acid, as an indicator of toluene exposure, was carried out according to NIOSH method no. 8300. Personal monitoring of the high exposure group to BTEX compounds was repeated to verify the results obtained in the first phase of the monitoring. Among the 9 operating groups studied, occupational exposure to benzene and toluene was higher in quality control and gasoline loading operators - the median exposure ranged from 0.16 to 1.63 ppm for benzene and 0.2 to 2.72 ppm for toluene. Median exposure of other group members to BTEX compounds was below the detection limit of analytical method [0.07, 0.06, 0.05, and 0.05 ppm, respectively]. The level of toluene exposure measured showed correlation with neither post-shift urinary hippuric acid [Spearman's rho = 0.128, p=0.982] nor with the difference between post- and pr-shift urinary hippuric acid [Spearman's rho=0.089, p=0.847] in depot operational workers. Gasoline loading operators are exposed to a relatively high level of benzene

Human papillomavirus infection prevalence in women referred to health clinic of shahid beheshti university of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran

Human papillomavirus [HPV] infection seems to be the most common sexually transmitted infection. High-risk [HR] human papillomavirus [HPV] prevalence has been shown to correlate well with cervical cancer incidence rates. Since there is little known about the epidemiology of this infection in Tehran, we designed to estimate the prevalence of HPV in some areas in Tehran. Cervical specimens were obtained from 825 married women aged 21-59 years from the general population of Tehran, Iran according to the standardised protocol of the IARC International HPV surveys. HPV was detected using a GP5+/6+ PCR-based assay. HPV prevalence in the general population was 7.8% [5.1% of high-risk types], with no statistically significant variations by age. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia was diagnosed in 4.1% of women, of whom 35.3% were HPV-positive. HPV1 6 was confirmed as the most common type among women with both normal [1.8%] and abnormal [8.8%] cytology. HPV positivity was significantly higher among divorced women, women in polygamous marriages and those reporting husbands' extramarital affairs. However the prevalence of HPV seems not high in comparison with other international data, more molecular and seroepidemiological survey in national level needs to hâve a better perspective

[Reproductive hormonal changes following two types of hypocaloric diets in overweight and obese polycystic ovary syndrome women]

The appropriate combination and composition of hypocaloric diets for obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a high protein-low glycaemic load diet on reproductive hormones in obese women with PCOS. In this single blind clinical trial, sixty overweight and obese women with PCOS, not using metformin, were randomly assigned in one of two groups, the modified with a 30% protein-low glycaemic load diet, and the conventional with 15% protein. Reproductive hormones, glucose and insulin were measured for 49 subjects at baseline and after 12 weeks. Weight loss showed no significant difference in the two groups. Changes in means for testosterone in the modified and conventional groups [0 to 12 weeks], were 1.78 +/- 1.52 to 1.31 +/- 1.27 and 1.51 +/- 0.63 to 1.15 +/- 0.57 ng/ml, respectively [p<0.001]. FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone and prolactin did not change. Insulin and HOMA reduction was significant for modified diet [p<0.001]. Weight loss had a significant effect on reduction of androgens. The main effect of modified diet with high protein and low glycaemic load was observed on insulin and HOMA, a finding which should taken into consideration for women with PCOS

[Job and environment factors in relation with pleural malignant mesothelioma and determination of occurrence chance of mesothelioma in exposure to asbestos]

The relationship between pleural malignant mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos is well-known, but there is no accurate information regarding high risk occupations and types of exposure in Iran. In this study we specified high risk jobs for asbestos exposure. Inthis case-control study, 64 cases with diagnosis of pleural malignant mesothelioma who were admitted in Masih Daneshvari Hospital between the years 2001 and 2009 were studied. All the cases and 58 controls participated in a telephone interview for job history and occupational and environmental exposures to asbestos. Asbestos exposed occupations in mesothelioma group included corrugated asbestos cement sheet production 1l[%17.2], Insulation 6[%9.4], construction 6[%9.4], asbestos warehouse 3[%4. 7], oil and gas shaft drilling 2[%3.1] and car brake shoe manufacturing 2[%3. 1]. In controls, the only exposed occupation was construction 8[% 13.79]. Odds Ratio calculated for occupational exposure to asbestos was 5.51[CI=2.26-13.47]. Residency in neighbourhood of corrugated asbestos cement sheet production factory was the most prevalent cause for environmental exposure. In%46 .87 of mesothelioma cases, source of exposure to asbestos was corrugated asbestos cement sheet industry due to employment in the factory, residency in neighbourhood of the factory or use of its products

[Treatment results in hydrofluoric acid burns]

Background: Hydrofluoric acid and other fluorine compounds are used in different industries worldwide. Fluoride ion bonding with Calcium and Magnesium ions interferes with cell enzymatic systems and causes cell death. Any hesitation in diagnosis and treatment can lead to irreversible injuries in exposed individuals. Sectional study was conducted on 74 workers who had occupational

Material and Method: This cross exposure to Hydrofluoric acid. After dermal contamination, treatment procedures at the time of exposure and later in the medical center included decontamination with water, topical application of Calcium Gluconate Gel 2.5% and/or Benzalkonium Chloride solution. Workers and physicians were asked to fill in separate questionnaires providing data on the type and extent of burn and treatment procedures. Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical methods in SPSS data bank

Results: 56 cases [75.7%] had carried out decontamination with water and 24 cases [32.4%] had applied Calcium Gluconate Gel immediately after exposure. In the clinic, treatment procedures included: decontamination for 46 cases [62.16%] and Calcium Gluconate Gel for 70 cases [94.59%]. More than 80% of burns were first degree at the time visited by physician and no complications observed in later follow-ups

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the initial washing with water and application of Calcium Gluconate Gel 2.5% at the time of exposure and later in the medical center is an effective and acceptable method in HF burn

[Determining the valubility of visual findings of laparoscopy in diagnosing the endometriosis]

Endometriosis has been widely implicated as one of the causes of chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. The purpose of our study was to define the correlation between the visual and histological diagnosis of endometriosis by comparing peritoneal findings identified at laparoscopy in a diagnostic trial with a standardized technique; including complete excision of lesions suggestive of endometriosis and systematic biopsies of normal appearing pelvic peritoneum. This study was performed in Mahdieh Hospital and IRHRC from 1383 to 1384. A diagnostic study of 30 patients [15- 45 yr.] undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy for the evaluation of chronic pelvic pain, infertility, dysmenorrhea and dysparonia was carried out [average age was 28.6 +/- 5.14 [mean +/- SD]]. All suggestive areas of endometriosis were excised and examined pathologically. Additionally, peritoneal biopsy specimens were obtained from normal appearing peritoneum to rule out microscopic endometriosis. The positive predictive value, sensitivity, negative predictive value and specificity of visually identified endometriosis were determined in comparison with histological findings [definitive diagnosis]. The mean prevalence of endometriosis abnormalities in visual and histological diagnosis were 63% and 42%, respectively. The measured values, therfore, for visual versus histological diagnosis of endometriosis were 42.1% for positive predictive value, 88.8% for sensitivity, 90.9% for negative predictive value and 47.6% for specificity. A diagnosis of endometriosis should be established only after histological confirmation

[ assessment of sonohysterography as a diagnostic tool for uterine cavity defects and tubal patency]

In a prospective blind study, we evaluated Sonohysterography [SHG] as a diagnostic tool for uterine cavity and tubal patency and compare SHG with laparoscopy in tubal patency and hysterosalpyngography for Uterine anomaly as gold standard methods. 76 infertile patients undergone SHG and HSG and laparoscopy and comparison between the different diagnostic techniques for the evaluation of the uterine cavity and tubes was carried out. In comparison between SHG and HSG in the evaluation of uterine cavity, the sensivity of SHG for uterine anomalies was 50% and its specificity was 86.95%. In comparison between SHG and laparoscopy in evaluating tubal patency, specificity of SHG was 81.29% and its sensivity was 28.57%. Sonohysterography can be considered as a reliable and accurate method in the first line of evaluation of uterine cavity and tubal patency in infertile patients before HSG, Hysteroscopy, laparoscopy and the all of patients with history of failed IVF