Determination of radon concentration in drinking water of taft township and evaluation of the annual effective dose

Background: Radioactive substances are water chemical contaminants. In this study, the concentration of radon was measured in drinking water supplies of Taft villages [part of Dehshir-Baft fault located in central part of Iran] and also Shirkooh area with granite rocks [containing uranium]. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional research was conducted in fall 2013 and winter 2014 on the sources of drinking water and also drinking water network of Taft city of Yazd province. According to the measured radon levels; the annual effective absorbed dose was also calculated. Results: Minimum and maximum levels of radon gas were related to sample number 54 [0.88 BqL[-1]] and number 31 [43.01BqL[-1]]. Range of radon concentrations was 1.88-43.01 BqL[-1] in samples of wells in private homes, 0.88- 20.36 BqL[-1] in supplier wells of public network of drinking water, 1.23-10.29 BqL[-1] in aqueducts, 1.23-11.49 BqL[-1] in water tap connected to the public network and 12.89 BqL[-1] in one measured spring. The annual effective absorbed dose through drinking and breathing in an environment that this water is used ranged from 0.00 msv/y [sample No.54] to 0.11 msv/y [sample No.31]. Conclusion: Radon concentration was lower than the limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency of United States of America, in 82% of samples. Samples with high radon concentrations were located around Shirkooh area due to the presence of granitic rocks. Dehshir and Garizat villages located through Dehshir - Baft fault and the Radon concentration of these samples was less than the permissible limit, probably due to the inactive Fault

Extracranial and transcranial doppler sonography alterations in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with thrombotic stroke

Diabetes is a major risk factor for stroke. Some studies have shown that difference between clinical signs and prognosis in diabetic patients with stroke compared to non-diabetic patients with stroke is due to difference in pattern of cerebral vascular involvement. This study was done to compare the findings of extracranial and transcranial doppler sonography in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with thrombotic stroke. This case - control study was done on 70 diabetic patients and 70 non-diabetic patients with thrombotic stroke. All patients were new cases. Extracranial and transcranial Doppler sonography was performed for all subjects. Basilar artery stenosis was significantly more frequent in diabetic cases in comparison with non-diabetic patients [P<0.05]. The prevalenc of posterior circulation stenosis in diabetic patients was significantly higher than non-diabetic patients [P<0.05]. In diabetic patients, stenosis in vertebrobasilar circulation was more frequent. Higher morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients may be due to vascular stenosis pattern

Prognostic value of QT interval prolongation in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Several studies have shown that during stroke changes occur in some paraclinic parameters which may have either prognostic or diagnostic value, including electrocardiographic changes. This study was done to evaluate the prognostic value of prolonged QT segment in patients with ischemic stroke. This descriptive study with an easy convenient sampling was carried out on 175 patients [73 male and 102 female] with acute ischemic stroke whome have been diagnosed by brain imaging [computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging]. All patients were suffering from stroke for the first time and if they use any drug or have underlying disease except diabetes mellitus- hypertension- heart disease and hyperlipidemia were excluded. In the first 24 hours of admission, an electrocardiogram [ECG] were taken for measurement of QT segment and according to death or discharge, patients were divided into two groups, and the mean of QT segment [corrected QT] subsequently were assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS-15, Chi-Square and independent t-tests. Twenty patients died in the course of admission. The mean of QT segment [corrected QT] in dead patients was 471.15 +/- 61.70 and in discharged patients was 421.52 +/- 62.96 [P<0.05]. The abundance of prolonged QT segment accompanied with death was more frequent. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and heart disease were significantly correlated with morbidity and mortality [P<0.05]. There is no relation between mortality with age and sex. This study showed that mean of QT segment [corrected] and also cases of prolonged QT segment were abundant among dead patients, therefore prolongation of QT segment has prognostic value in patients with ischemic stroke

[Silent stroke and related risk factors]

The silent brain infarctions are common in first-ever stroke. Some recent studies show the possible role of silent brain infarction in ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of silent brain infarction in acute first-ever ischemic stroke and its association with stroke risk factors. This descriptive - analytical study was carried out on 203 [94 males, 109 females] patients with acute first-ever ischemic stroke in Shafa hospital in Kerman, Iran during 2010. The diagnosis of ischemic stroke was made by physical examination and was confirmed by MRI and CT Scan. A questionnaire containing demographic information and risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking, ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease for stroke as well as presence of silent stroke was completed for each patient. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and logistic regression test. The mean age of patients was 62.56 +/- 17.35 years. Among our patients history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking, diabetes, history of ischemic heart disease, history of other cardiac disease and silent stroke were observed in 66 [32.5%], 26 [12.8%], 16 [7.9%], 40 [19.7%], 27 [13.3%], 16 [7.9%] and 31 [15.3%], respectively. The probability of silent stroke among patient with hyperlipidemia, was 3.7 times more than those without hyperlipidemia [95%CI: 1.556-12.780, P<0.05]. There was no significant correlation between silent stroke and the above risk factors. Silent stroke was found in 15% of patients with ischemic stroke. Control of hyperlipidemia can have a vital role in the prevention of silent stroke

[Serum uric acid level in patients with multiple sclerosis: a case - control study]

Multiple Sclerosis is one of the most common and disabling neurological disease. Recent studies reported the possible role of serum uric acid in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. This study was done to examine the role of serum uric acid in patients with multiple sclerosis. This case - control study was carried out on 70 multiple sclerosis patients as cases and 70 healthy subjects as controls in teaching hospital in Rafsanjan, Iran during 2010. The two groups were matched in age and gender. The serum uric acid level of subjects in case and control groups was measured by enzymatic colorimetric method. Data were analyzed using SPSS-17 and student t-test. The mean serum uric acid level in cases and controls was 3.871 +/- 1.193 mg/dl and 4.171 +/- 1.39 mg/dl, respectively, this difference was not significant. Also, there was not significant relationship between serum uric acid level and gender in multiple sclerosis patients. This study indicated that the serum uric acid level is not changed in multiple sclerosis patients compared to controls

Therapeutic effects of beta- interferons in patients with multiple sclerosis

beta-Interferons have been reported as effective medicine in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis [MS], but due to their cost and side effects, the duration of therapy is controversial. The current study aimed to reveal the rate of recurrence according to the duration of medication among the patients receiving beta-Interferons in a 2 year period in Rafsanjan city. In this cohort study, patients who had relapsing-remiting MS for at least 2 years and had been receiving B-Interferon for at least 3 months were followed. The patients were given a questionaire containing their demographic information, recurrence rate and duration of treatment with beta- Interferon. Sixty three point six percent had no exacerbation in the group receiving medication for 3-6 months, while 38.1% in the 6 months-1 year group, and 41.7% in the 1 year group had no exacerbation. There was no significant relationship between the duration of receiving medicaton and the number of recurrence rate. Recurrence rate in the first and second group [< 12 months therapy] was 0.46% and in the third group [> 12 months therapy] was 0.35%. The results showed no significant relationship between recurrence rate and the duration of beta-Interferon therapy. Longer period of treatment is recommended to assess the therapeutic effects of beta-interferon

Effect of height on F-wave latency: redefining reference values for Iranian population

F-wave latency is one of the most sensitive parameters which is used for diagnosis of radiculopathy and neuropathy in electrodiagnostic medicine. Electrodianosis professionals mostly use reference values published in major textbooks mostly written in USA based on anthropomorphic characteristics of American people. Also there is considerable difference between heights of males and females in each country, which is not considered in reference tables. We performed this study to determine any difference between F-wave latencies in both genders and also between our population and mainly used reference values. This cross-sectional study was performed on 60 healthy volunteers [30 males and 30 females]. Minimum F-wave latencies of median and ulnar nerves at wrist, and also tibial and peroneal nerves at ankle were recorded after ten supramaximal stimulation of each nerve. The average heights were 156.05 +/- 4.80 and 171.58 +/- 6.05 centimeters in females and males, respectively. Mean of minimum F-wave latencies in males were 24.93 +/- 1.55, 25.73 +/- 1.48, 46.86 +/- 2.94 and 46.91 +/- 3.04 and in females were 22.66 +/- 1.23, 22.97 +/- 1.33, 42.61 +/- 3.20 and 42.33 +/- 3.17 milliseconds for median, ulnar, tibial and peroneal nerves, respectively. These values were significantly higher in males than females. There was correlation between height and man of F-wave latencies in median, ulnar, tibial and peroneal nerves. There were significant differences between males and females in all tested nerves. Also there were significant differences between our measured latencies and the reference values published in major electrodiagnostic textbooks. Regarding the significant height difference between two genders, we recommend defining separate references values for each group. On the other hand, each population should have its own reference values corresponding to average height of its own people; otherwise the sensitivity of this parameter [F-wave latency] will be significantly low

[Study of mortality agents of silk worms in Dough Abad]

For investigation of causes of silkworm mortality, the sick larva specimens in different levels of growth examined for parasite, viral, fungal and bacterial diseases. The samples included some dead larva and bed materials contained eggs, leaves and stool which were examined ordinary diagnostic methods. The complementary tests were also used for all cases. In wet smear prepared from intestine wall, a kind of protozoa spore of Microsporidia phylum was observed that was not the agent of pebrin disease, and some budding cells [yeasts] were seen as well, which identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. There were many polyhedra forms in smears of hemolynph that were stained with methylen blue dying and seen with ordinary microscope, diagnosed as Polyhedrosis or Grasserie disease [NPV]. for the purpose of diagnostic reconfirmation, the polyhedra was injected to healthy larva. The bacterial agent including Streptococcus [delta] Hemolytica as digestive tracts disease agent, staphylococcus aureus, and Serratia marcescen as septicemia agents and Bacillus turingensis the agent of Sotto disease, were separated. In general the incidence of these diseases showed the unsuitable conditions in sericultures that can be depends on poor disinfection, lack of proper feeding and deficiency of temperature and humidity. Improvement in rearing techniques, using of appropriate rearing room and equipments, maintenance of hygienic conditions during rearing, improvement of disinfection methods, the quarantine of the silkworm seeds and using of resistant varieties of silkworm to diseases can decrease out-breaks

[ frequency of site and number of cerebrovascular lesions in diabetic patients with thrombotic stroke in Ali-Ebn-Abitaleb hospital in Rafsanjan in the years 2003-2004]

Diabetes, is an important risk factor for crebrovascular lesions. Studies obviously demonstrate a higher prevalence, worse prognosis, more relapses and complications and higher mortality rate due to stroke in diabetic patients. This risk is independent from other risk factors, and various studies such as topography of stroke lesions conducted on diabetic patients showed controversial results. This study was conducted to compare the prevalence of location and the number of thrombotic stroke lesions in diabetic and nondiabetic patients in Rafsanjan, Iran. This cross - sectional study was conducted on patients suffering from thrombotic stroke, through the convenience nonrandom sampling. Sixty diabetic cases and 60 nondiabetic controls matched for demographic factors and risk factors of stroke, the MRI images of study participants were analyzed by using EPI6 software. 56.7% of samples were female and the average age of patients was 67.5 years. The majortly of samples [66.7%] had history of hypertension. All together 99 vascular lesions in diabetic patients and 118 vascular lesions in nondiabetic patients were observed. The number of lesions had been increased by increasing patients' age significantly. In diabetic patients parietal lobe, occipital lobe and brain stem and in nondiabetic patients parietal, frontal and temporal lobes were the most frequent location of lesions respectively. The majority of these patients [70%] had more than two vascular lesions. The number and the site of cerebrovascular lesions showed no significant difference between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. There was no significant difference between diabetic and nondiabetic patients concerning the number and site of cerebrovascular lesions. However, trombotic stroke in diabetic patients with hypertension had a specific clinical pattern, with a low progress but a sudden appearance and high rate of morbidity and mortality. It can be concluded that stroke in these patients should be diagnosed and treated rapidly

[ six months evaluation of thoracic trauma in patients admitted to Ali IbnAbitaleb teaching hospital, Rafsanjan, in year 2001]

At present, trauma is one of the most important causes of mortality in human population all over the world. Thoracic trauma is one of the most important medical and socio-economical burdens in different areas of Iran. Thoracic trauma has been observed in 50% of patients admitted to the emergency departments. Considering the high prevalence of thoracic trauma, this study was conducted to evaluate the epidemiological status of thoracic trauma prevalence in Emergency department of Ali Ibn Abitaleb teaching Hospital in Rafsanjan city.This descriptive study was performed on 250 traumatized patients [207 males and 43 females] who referred to the emergency department of Ali Ibn Abitaleb Hospital of Rafsanjan due to chest trauma during six months, started from January 2001 [all patients were followed till final diagnosis]. The data statistically analyzed by using Chi square test in this prospective study.Among 250 patients, 207 individuals were male [82.80%] and 43 were female [17.20%]. The most frequent incidence rate of chest trauma was observed in the age group of 11 to 20 years [26.4%] and the average age was 34 years. The most frequent cause of trauma was traffic accidents [52.40%] and the least frequent cause of trauma was gun shot[0.80%]. The most frequent clinical symptom observed in the patients was chest pain [95.20%]. The most prevalent clinical sign was chest tenderness, [96.40%]. The most frequent associated trauma observed with thoracic injuries was head trauma [44.4%].Considering the high frequency of traffic accidents as the leading cause of chest trauma, a basic reform in traffic and transportation should be considered. Furthermore, due to high frequency of traumas caused by cold weapons in the age group of 21-30 years, youngsters education can be suggested