Groundwater valuation and quality preservation in Iran: the case of Yazd

Groundwater can be used directly or indirectly and any decline in its quality or quantity may negatively impact the environment. Through groundwater valuation, people are made aware of the fact that groundwater is not free of charge and therefore the significance of groundwater preservation is established. In this study, groundwater quality preservation value has been estimated for the city of Yazd based on the contingent valuation method [CVM]. The methodology used consisted of field study and library research. After determining the sample size using Cochran's formula, the distributed questionnaires were filled by the inhabitants of the city of Yazd. Thereafter, the results were analysed using Excel and E Views. Finally, people's willingness to pay for the preservation of Yazd groundwater quality was estimated to be US$18.5 annually per capita, which is a remarkable value. Hence, it was determined that groundwater quality preservation was of great value to the inhabitants of Yazd

relationship between plasma antioxidant enzymes activity and sex hormones during the menstrual cycle

There is increasing evidence for the role of oxidative stress in female reproductive tract. The purpose of this study was to determine the activity of antioxidant enzymes during menstrual cycle. In addition, the relationship between activity of antioxidant enzyme and sex hormones was evaluated. In this study the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity during the menses, follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in twenty women with regular menstrual cycle were studied. Furthermore, the correlation between activity of antioxidant enzymes and estradiol, progesterone, LH, FSH and testosterone were evaluated, There was no significant difference between activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity during the menses, follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle [P>0.05]. We found significant correlation, in luteal phase, between superoxide dismutase and FSH [P<0.05

Body dysmorphic disorder in aesthetic rhinoplasty candidates

Body Dysmorphic Disorder [BDD] is a psychiatric disorder defined as obsessive ideas about distorted physical appearance, leading to social, professional and personal dysfunction. Many of these patients seek aesthetic surgery and are generally dissatisfied with the outcome of their surgery. In the present study patients coming to the otolaryngology clinic of Thaleghani Hospital in Tehran seeking rhinoplasty were evaluated. Between October 2010 and October 2011, 130 patients seeking rhinoplasty were recruited in a cross-sectional study. These patients were consecutively interviewed in the otolaryngology clinic of Taleghani Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Questionnaires were filled containing demographic data. BDD was evaluated by a separate questionnaire. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] questionnaire was filled to evaluate depression and anxiety. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software. The frequency and standard deviations were calculated. Differences between groups were evaluated by using the chi-square, and t-tests. Ninety nine [76.2%] of rhinoplasty candidates were female and thirty one [23.8%] were male. Eighty five [65.4%] were single and thirty eight [29.2%] were married while seven were divorced. About 63.8% were University students or University graduates. Mean age was 26.43 +/- 6.29 years old. 41 patients [31.5%] had BDD. Among BDD patients 12 [29.3%] had concurrent depression and 11 [26.8%] had concurrent anxiety. No statistically significant correlation was found between the presence or severity of BDD and age, gender, marital status, level of education and profession. Considering the high prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder [BDD] among rhinoplasty candidates, psychiatric evaluation is advisable before surgery to avoid unnecessary operations and patient dissatisfaction

[Prevalence of cleft palate and cleft lip among 20000 Iranian neonates]

Cleft lip [CL], cleft palate [CP] and their combination [CLP] and are the most common congenital head and neck anomalies. However, there is no certain study in this regards in our country. We performed an epidemiologic study to analyze the association of potential risk factors with the occurrence of oral clefts. This descriptive study was performed applying of existing data. Medical records of 20000 consecutive live born neonates delivered between April 2000 and June 2005 in Mahdie hospital, were reviewed and prevalence rate and probable maternal risk factors for these anomalies were calculated. Prevalence rate of oral clefts was 0.6/1000. Moreover, we found a prevalence rate of 0.15/1000 for CL, 0.25/1000 for CLP and 0.2/1000 for CP, respectively. These results indicated that the prevalence of oral clefts among neonates in Tehran city is so close to that of negroid newborns. Compared with previous reports in Iran, the obvious decrease in prevalence of oral clefts in our study may correspond that the mothers' anxiety is a major risk factor in development of oral cleft in newborns

[ effect of preparation in preventing post-septoplasty infection]

Septoplasty is one of the most common and basic procedures in ear, nose and throat surgery. Due to the presence of several resident organisms and their proximity to vital regions of the head and neck, any infection in this region is of special importance. Implementation of optimal preparation [Prep] of the surgery site has been widely accepted as the most important inhibiting factor for post surgical infection in all branches of surgery including ENT, so we decided to study the effects of preoperative prep on the incidence of post operative infections. This study was conducted as a clinical trial on septoplasty candidates chosen among patients visiting the ENT clinic of Boo Ali and Taleghani hospitals during the years 1997 - 2005. 150 candidates were chosen [78 as cases and 72 as the control group] according to order of visit. Preoperative prep was omitted in all the subjects in the case group, while routine prep with Povidone -Iodine was implemented in controls. Both groups were examined for post surgical infections. Statistical analyses were done by SPSS and Fisher Exact Test. In the case group were 22 females and 56 male with average age of 24.6+/-5.1 years and in control group were 17 female and 55 male with average 25.3+/-6.4 years. Signs of infection were observed among one patient in each group [p<0.9]. The current study revealed no change in the incidence rate of post-op infection. It seems the sterilization and careful prep of the surgical site is not necessary for performing septoplasty and it is better to pay more attention to the surgical technique, reducing the duration of surgery, and optimizing pre and post operative care

[Usefullness of honey from the Islamic point of view and evaluation of its effects cutaneous leishmaniasis wounds in Balb/c rats; invitro]

Honey has been one of the most complete and a delicious edible since ages and there has been a special consideration towards it in Islam. In the Holy Quran, there is a full chapter named [The Bee [Nahl]]and there is a verse in it as follows: [And your lord revealed to the bee saying make hives in the mountains and in the trees and in what they build, then eat of all of fruits and walk in the ways of your lord submissively. There comes forth from within it a beverage of many colors, in which there is healing for men, most surely there is a sign in this for a people who reflect.] [2] Honey has been used traditionally in medicine throughout history, for healing chronic wounds resistant to antibiotics and various kinds of burns. Because honey has low humidity, high osmotic pressure and pH, it causes stasis of growth of infectious agents and a sterile layer on sorts. A former survey showed that honey contains 20 types of sugars, 8 types of vitamins, 11 types of mineral substances,16 types of amino acids, a large of enzymes and so on. In this study we surveyed the properties of honey from the Islamic point of view and its effects on cutaneous leishmaniasis wounds in BALB/c rats in the laboratory. Sufficient natural honey from Golpayegan, a city in Isfahan province renown for its natural, good quality honey and ointment Paramo-U [made in Iran] were obtained. 30 BALB/c mice were infected with the parasiteLeishmania[L]major[MRHO/IR/75/ER] [Parasitology Dept on Faculty Medicine in Tarbiat Modares University]. They were divided into three groups Honey study group, Negative and Positive groups and as soon as the Leishmania lesion was obvious, weight of the mice and size of the lesion were measured in all by using Scale and Coliss[Mettler,Switzerland]weekly until the death of the last mouse in the Negative control group. The data was analyzed using SPSS software. The mean weight of the mice that received honey was not significantly different from the mean weight of the mice in the negative and positive groups. [p>0.05]. But the mean wound size in the mice that received honey was significantly different from the mean wound measurement in the negative and positive controls groups [p=0.0001]. When BALB/c mice are infected with Rural Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Leishmania[L] major [MRHO/IR/75/ER], it results in gradual loss of weight and increase in the size of the cutaneous lesion. If not treated, it develops into visceral leishmaniasis and ultimately death of the animal. Use of honey did not affect the weight significantly, but showed a significant decrease in the size of the lesions

[Protective effect of vitamin D3 and GP63 conjugated with tetanus toxoid on outcome of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions in balb/c mice]

GP63 is a major surface protease of Leishmania promastigotes that plays an important role in its virulance. As GP63 on its own can not develop an effective protection against leishmaniasis, the goal of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of GP63 conjugated with tetanus toxoid [TT] and Vitamin D3 in susceptible BALB/c mice against cutaneous leishmaniasis. This study was a basic-applied experimental study performed in Tarbiat Modarres University from September 2002 to April 2005. Cloned virulant Leishmania [L.] major [MRHO/IR/75/ER] strain was cultured and 5x10[9] cells were harvested. GP63 Molecule was purified and conjugated with TT and conjugated molecule was used for immunization of 8 groups of female BALB/c mice. Results showed that the group of mice receiving conjugated molecule with Vitamin D3 had significant differences from other groups regarding lesion progression [P

Primary benign and malignant mediastinal tumours

Introduction: Since content of mediastinal cavity as tract. Great vessels and heart are of vital importance. Mediastinal tumours should be diagnosed and treated exact, accurate and on time

Materials and Methods: We have operated 75 patients with mediastinal tumour in Valiasr Hospital [Tehran University of Medical Science] and Ghaem Medical Center [Mashhad University of Medical Science], from 1996-2002

Results: They were 37 female and 38 male, in similar reports in literature both sexes are equal. Frequency of various histologic diagnosis of these patient are: 25 lymphomas [33.33%], 22 thymic tumours [29.33%] 13 neural tumours [17.33%], 6 substernal thyroid [8%], 2 germ cell tumours, 1 cavernous hemangioma, 1 cystic higroma, benign tratoma, 2 invasive condrosarcomas, 2 misclaneus tumours. Our operative approach and procedure have been, 24 left or right thoracotomies, 21 sterenotomies, 14 anterior mediastinotomies, 9 lymph node biopsies, 6 thyroidectomics with cervical incision, 1 higroma resection

Conclusion: Mediastinal tumours are uncommon, regarding to other reports in literature 8 to 10 patients with mediastinal tumours are operated annually in referral centers. And mean rates of our patients have been 11 cases per year [2,3]