Wheat sprout effects on histological and histometrical structure and sperm parameters in testis of rat exposed to lead

Background: Wheat sprout contains a high amount of antioxidants, vitamins [especially vitamin E], minerals and phytoestrogen compounds. Use of medicinal herbs in reducing heavy metal toxicities has increased worldwide. In recent years, negative effects of lead on the male reproductive system and sperm fertility parameters have been shown broadly

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of wheat sprout extract [WSE] and vitamin E on sperm parameters and testicular oxidative stress in rats exposed to lead acetate

Methods: Thirty-five rats were divided randomly into seven groups: Gl [control group] received 1 ml/kg/day of normal saline, G2 received 20 mg/kg/day of lead acetate, G3 and G4 received 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of WSE respectively, G5 and G6 received 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of WSE respectively with 20 mg/kg/day of lead acetate, and G7 received 100 mg/kg/day of vitamin E with 20 mg/kg/day of lead acetate. After 35 days, rats were sacrificed and blood, sperm, liver and testicle tissue samples were collected for histomorphological and histochemical studies

Results: Results showed that count, motility and viability of sperms increased following the administration of 200 mg/kg/day of WSE [p<0.01]. Histomorphological studies showed a significant increase in tubular differentiation index [TDI], Repopulation index [RI], number of Sertoli cells, and epithelium of seminiferous tubules in groups receiving 200 mg/kg/day of WSE [p<0.00l]

Conclusions: Results of the current study show that dose dependent WSE significantly prevents testicular toxicity and oxidative stress effects of lead acetate

new method for sulfur components removal from sour gas through application of zinc and iron oxides nanoparticles

Use of zinc and iron oxide are common in the desulfurization process from natural gas. In this research, after determinations of the size and specifications through TEM and XRD for each of the metal oxides, two different size ratios were used, 0.66 for zinc oxide and 0.142 for iron oxide. Further, absorption of sulfur compounds in gas [hydrogen sulfide [H[2]S], carbonyl sulfide [COS], methyl mercaptan [C[1]H], ethyl mercaptan [C[2]SH], dimethyl sulfide [DMS], and carbon disulflde [CS[2]] were evaluated at 26°C, 15 psi. The separation and identification processes of the sulfur components were measured by gas chromatography with a chemical luminescence sulfur detector. Results show that particle size variation in zinc oxide increased the sulfur removal from H[2], C[1]SH and C[2]SH from 9.4% to 15.8%, but in the case of COS, DMS and CS, no significant sulfur removal was observed. Further, with reduction of iron oxide particle size [from 0.140 um to 20 nm], the sulfur removal rate increased from 37.9 to 63.1% in all of the natural gas components

[Comparison of reading skills between cochlear implantation and normal hearing children in second and third grade elementary in Tehran]

Reading skill is necessary for academic achievement, that deaf children have problems in this skill due to hearing impairment. Use of cochlear implant can improve auditory inputs. The aim of this study was to investigate the reading skills of children with cochlear implants and comparing that with normal ones. This descriptive - analytic study was done on 24 children with cochlear implant and 24 normal ones that was selected from second and third grades students of Tehran primary schools. Children's reading performance was assessed by Nama reading test and the data were analyzed using T-test, linear regression and Pearson correlations. The results showed that the means of reading scores of normal children were significantly greater than the cochlear implanted ones [P<0.01]. Also, there was a significant relationship between reading skills and period of cochlear implant [P<0.01]. Cochlear implanted children showed weaker performance in reading skills than normal ones due to less access to auditory and Phonological information. It seems that early surgery and cochlear implant before the age of language learning can be partially compensated reading defects of deaf children

[ prevalence and causes of needle stick injuries among the primary health care workers of Bahar city, Hamadan Province]

Due to occupational exposures, primary health care workers are more at risk of blood- borne infections such as AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of occupational injuries and its related factors among the primary health care workers in Bahar city. In this cross-sectional study, conducted in 2007, 182 primary health care workers of Bahar city participated. Data were collected using a questionnaire and SPSS software, Chi square and Logistic regression tests were applied for data analysis. The prevalence of occupational injuries among the participants was 57.7%. The highest exposure rate was associated with injection needles [84.8%] and the most frequent process leading to an injury was recapping [28.6%]. The most prevalent occupational injuries were observed among lab experts [91.6%] and nurses [71.4%] [P<0.05]. 90.5 percent of the exposed group had only washed the injured place with soap. The risk of occupational injuries increased as the work experience increased [OR= 1.07, CI= 1.03-1.12]. There were no significant relationship between employees' sex and age with occupational injuries. According to the results of this study, there is a high prevalence of occupational injuries among primary health care workers of Bahar city. Hence, educating the transmission routs of blood-borne infections, applying standard precautions and increasing protection strategies must be taken into consideration

prevalence of pediculosis capitis in primary school students in Bahar, Hamadan province, Iran

Head lice infestation caused by Pediculus humanus var capitis [Pediculus capitis] is a worldwide public health concern that affects mostly school aged children. This descriptive, analytical study was carried out in 2008 to determine the prevalence of pediculosis capitis and some risk factors among primary-school pupils in Bahar, Hamadan Province, Iran. We selected 900 pupils [50% girls and 50% boys] from 18 primary schools by multistage, systematic random sampling. Their hair was examined for head louse infestation. The results and demographic information recorded in the questionnaire and then were analyzed by SPSS software. Twelve students [1.3%] were infected with lice, 10 [2.2%] girls and 2 [0.44%] boys. The rate of infection was 0.66% in urban and 1.66% in rural areas. The results showed significant variations in head lice infestation, and factors such as sex, level of parent education and habitat [P<0.05], while there was no significant variation between school grade, members of family and the frequency of hair washing [P> 0.05]. The prevalence of pediculosis was less than average percentages observed in other students inside and outside Iran. We recommend that the parents and teachers should receive training about the danger of infection and its distribution in family and school in order to prevent it

[ effect of terazocin and prednislone in the epulsion therapy for symptomatic distal urethral stones]

[alpha]1-Adrenergic blockers have recently been shown to increase the rate of spontaneous passage of distal urethral stones. In this study the clinical role of Terazocin and Prednisolone in expulsion therapy of symptomatic distal urethral stones was assessed. The total number of 106 patients between 20-68 years old [Mean 39.05 years] who had lower ureteral stones with size of 5-10mm were selected in this prospective study. The patients were randomly divided into 2 equal groups; treatment group received Terazocin [5mg daily] plus Prednisolone [5mg daily], and control group received only analgesics. Hydration was recommended simultaneously. The treatment duration considered for 10 days to prevent the side effects resulting from prolonged corticosteroid therapy. Two groups had no significant difference based on age, sex and stone location. In treatment group mean stone diameter was 7.45 +/- 1.705mm and in control group it was 6.7 +/- 1.75mm. The rate of expulsion for the treatment and control groups were 62.3% and 37.7% respectively that showes a significant difference between two groups [P<0.001]. In the treatment group the number of pain episodes and analgesic [Morphin] intake was found to be lower compared to the control group. Simultaneous administration of terazosin [[alpha] 1-Adrenergic blocker] and Prednisolone [corticosteroid] can increase the frequency of spontaneous passage of distal urethral stones

Appropriate analgesia for breast surgery by paravertebral anesthesia

Due to the increasing number of breast masses and a more precise attention to them, a greater number of patients refer to clinics for biopsy or resection of breast and axillary lymph nodes. An appropriate anesthesia method can decrease hospitalization time, its expenditure and postoperative complications. Paravertebral anesthesia [1] is a simple and feasible method in most cases and can provide a very suitable analgesia for biopsy and operation and postoperative analgesia. Paravertebral block was used for analgesia for 15 women having breast masses who were candidates for biopsy and pathology examination by frozen section. Biopsy was performed only by a single paravertebral injection [we did not insert catheter for continuos analgesia] with sedation. The patients' satisfaction and analgesia were evaluated postoperatively. First pain complaint and burning which demanded opioid prescription was considered at the end of analgesia of the block. The patients were evaluated for analgesia for 24 hours. Paravertebral block provides an appropriate analgesia for breast surgery, and with good technical performance it offers a high rate of success. Average duration of analgesia was 17 hours and the patients did not need opioid in this period; 60% of the patients [9 people] were discharged at the same day of the surgery in the afternoon. Those patients requiring mastectomy following the biopsy were anesthetized with tracheal intubation and atracurium muscle relaxant, and no opioid drug was used in their surgery. All the patients [15people] expressed their satisfaction with paravertebral block. Breast surgeries with paravertebral block were performed with a high rate of analgesia and patients' consent, a good reduction in patients' expenditure and much lower incidence of complications and early ambulation of patients. Other regional methods like thoracic epidural block, intercostals block and local infiltrations are also used for these surgeries. However, as the duration of surgeries differs from one another, a safe and comprehensive method is important, and paravertebral block has these characteristics

Comparison of changes in respiratory system indices by spontaneous and controlled ventilation during pediatrics' general anesthesia

Chest wall in children is more compliant, slow twitch muscle fibers are less than adults and the alveolus are smaller hi size and lesser hi number. Airways are more expandable and smaller hi diameter. In the other hand the inhalational anesthetics can cause respiratory depression and rapid shallow ventilation. These changes can cause microatelectasia, low respiratory system compliance and increase hi work of breathing. Controlled ventilation probably will prevent these events. This study is going to compare behaviors of respiratory system under inhalational anesthesia. In a clinical trial, 60 pediatric patients between 6 months to 6 years of age, ASA I and II, who were candidates of elective surgery on extremities and lower abdomen, entered to study. Patients were randomly allocated hi two groups of spontaneous and controlled ventilation. In the first group hihalational and in the second group intravenous inductions was performed. Both groups were given halo thane [0.8-1%] hi a 50% mixture of N[2]O and O[2] for maintenance of anesthesia. HR, RR, BP, SPO[2] and T before hiduction and all of these plus EVT and peak and plateau APs, 5 minutes after induction and every 15 minutes thereafter were measured and dynamic and static compliance were calculated by using measured data. Data was analyzed by ANOVA, T student and Chi square tests. Patients hi spontaneous ventilation group had significantly more RR and EtCO[2] and less awakening time [p<0.05].Total mean of HR, SBP, DBF, SPO[2], T, PIP, PltlP, dynamic and static compliance after hiduction of anesthesia had no statistical differences between the two groups. There are no constant significant differences between the two groups hi respiratory system compliance, airway pressures and T and this study can not prove the development of significant changes hi respiratory system indices between the two groups. Thus microatelectasis [if developed] is not clinically important during less than one hour surgeries