Evaluation of the concentration and human health risk of nitrate and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in melons from a southern region of Iran: Identification of pollution sources.

Decentralized agriculture, improper monitoring of cultivation conditions, and leaching of contaminants into lands led to the contamination of crops with various potentially toxic elements (PTEs). However, it is essential to know more about the profile level and associated risk of these contaminants and their origin, especially in high-water content crops. This study aimed to investigate the concentration of PTEs in melons of one of Iran's southern cities and follow that health risk assessment in the target population for the first time. Results of the present study confirmed that although the mean concentration of some metals was lower than the safety standard (Cr: 4.6 ± 2 mg/kg and Pb: 7.4 ± 4 mg/kg), their nutritional value was unfavorable regarding some micronutrients (Cu: 88.8 ± 27 mg/kg and Zn: 480 ± 275 mg/kg). The highest metal concentration in cantaloupe was iron (1706.47 mg/kg, p-value<0.05), and nitrate concentration in all melon types was 2.59-524.54 mg/kg (p-value<0.05). Principal component analysis (PCA) with K-means clustering and the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model have shown that contaminants in melons originated from human activities. So, excessive use of agricultural fertilizers is a possible source of nitrates in melons, which have 93 % of factor loading values. The health risk assessment also showed that melons' carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk using the deterministic method was lower than the permissible limit (HQ < 1, ILCR 1 in the children group for the 95th percentile. Furthermore, the level of certainty in the carcinogenesis risk for children, women, and men was estimated at 86.48 %, 64.67 %, and 61.30 %, respectively. Also, the consumption rate was determined as the most important parameter in the sensitivity analysis. As a consequence, there is a potential health risk for Iranians after the consumption of melon due to PTEs and nitrate levels that also originated from anthropogenic sources.

A review of endocrine disrupting chemicals migration from food contact materials into beverages.

A significant and pressing issue revolves around the potential human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which pose a substantial risk primarily through contaminated beverages. However, a comprehensive review for comparison of the migration rates of EDCs into these matrixes is currently lacking. This study reviews the beverages contamination with EDCs, including phthalates (PAEs), bisphenol A (BPA), hormone-like compounds, elements, and other organic EDCs. Also, the EDCs migration into milk and other dairy products, coffee, tea, and cold beverages related to their release from contact materials, preparation components, and storage conditions are briefly summarized. The data illustrates that besides the contamination of raw materials, the presence of EDCs associated with the type of food contact materials (FCMs)and their migration rate is increased with acidity, temperature, and storage time. The highest concentration of PAEs was detected from plastic and synthetic polymer films, while BPA strongly leaches from epoxy resins and canned metal. Furthermore, the presence of elements with endocrine disrupting characteristics was confirmed in cold beverages, soft drinks, hot drink and milk. Moreover, hormone-like compounds have been found to be released from coffee preparation components. Despite the few data about the migration rate of other EDCs including UV-stabilizers, surfactants, and antibacterial compounds into beverages, their presence was reported into milk, coffee, and different beverages, especially in packed samples. Studies on the EDCs leaching have primarily focused on PAEs and BPA, while other compounds require further investigation. Regardless, the possible risk that EDCs pose to humans through beverage consumption cannot be overlooked.

Predictors of musculoskeletal disorders and job satisfaction among office workers of an oil company: A cross-sectional study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders are among the significant causes of disabilities and occupational injuries all over the world and can reduce the quality of life and job satisfaction. These disorders prevail among the office workers of the Iranian Oil Company, though research on the involved factors is limited. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the incidence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders and their association with job satisfaction among the office workers of the Iranian Oil Company. METHODS: The present research was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study on 210 male office workers of the Iranian Oil Company. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and the rate of job satisfaction were measured by Nordic Musculoskeletal and Minnesota job Satisfaction Questionnaires, respectively. The relationship between the variables was analyzed by the SPSS 28 software. RESULTS: The most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders among office workers in the past 12 months were associated with the neck, waist, and knee organs, with 45.70, 41, and 38.10 percentages. Smoking, second jobs, and physical injury histories were identified as three risk factors connected to musculoskeletal disorders (p < 0.05). Forty-one percent of the participants were moderately satisfied with their jobs, and this number was significantly related to musculoskeletal disorders in the shoulders, elbows, back, waist, and knees (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that second jobs, smoking, and physical injury histories are three risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among office workers of the Iranian Oil Company. Thus, it is imperative to identify at-risk office workers and train and encourage them to take preventive actions and employ ergonomic job equipment.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 on cycle day 2 and assisted reproductive techniques outcome: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Individualized assisted reproductive techniques (ART) can improve ART outcomes. Some studies suggested using insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level on cycle day 2 for individualized ART. Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum levels of IGF-1 on day 2 of the cycle and ART outcomes. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, cycle day 2 serum levels of IGF-1 were measured in 175 women aged between 18-44 yr as candidates for in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. All participants received antagonist protocol, and the relationship between serum levels of IGF-1 and ART outcomes according to the number of oocytes were investigated; poor responders (oocytes < 5), normal responders (oocytes 5-15), and hyper responders (oocytes > 15). Results: Poor responders had higher serum level of IGF-1 when compared with normal and hyper-responders; however,this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.41). The serum levels of IGF-1 in women with zero retrieved oocytes and those cycles that were canceled for the inappropriate ovarian response were not significantly different compared to other women in the group of poor responders. An inverse relationship was observed between the serum level of IGF-1 and anti-Mullerian hormone. Furthermore, no significant relationship between serum level of IGF-1 with age, body mass index, number of 2 pronucleus, and number of embryos was observed. Conclusion: According to our results, the serum levels of IGF-1 may not be able to predict ART outcomes. It seems necessary to conduct more studies with larger sample size.

Availability of malaria diagnostic tests, anti-malarial drugs, and the correctness of treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Health facilities' availability of malaria diagnostic tests and anti-malarial drugs (AMDs), and the correctness of treatment are critical for the appropriate case management, and malaria surveillance programs. It is also reliable evidence for malaria elimination certification in low-transmission settings. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate summary proportions for the availability of malaria diagnostic tests, AMDs, and the correctness of treatment. METHODS: The Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, Embase, and Malaria Journal were systematically searched up to 30th January 2023. The study searched any records reporting the availability of diagnostic tests and AMDs and the correctness of malaria treatment. Eligibility and risk of bias assessment of studies were conducted independently in a blinded way by two reviewers. For the pooling of studies, meta-analysis using random effects model were carried out to estimate summary proportions of the availability of diagnostic tests, AMDs, and correctness of malaria treatment. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies, incorporating 7,429 health facilities, 9,745 health workers, 41,856 febrile patients, and 15,398 malaria patients, and no study in low malaria transmission areas, were identified. The pooled proportion of the availability of malaria diagnostic tests, and the first-line AMDs in health facilities was 76% (95% CI 67-84); and 83% (95% CI 79-87), respectively. A pooled meta-analysis using random effects indicates the overall proportion of the correctness of malaria treatment 62% (95% CI 54-69). The appropriate malaria treatment was improved over time from 2009 to 2023. In the sub-group analysis, the correctness of treatment proportion was 53% (95% CI 50-63) for non-physicians health workers and 69% (95% CI 55-84) for physicians. CONCLUSION: Findings of this review indicated that the correctness of malaria treatment and the availability of AMDs and diagnostic tests need improving to progress the malaria elimination stage.

Short-term exposure to some heavy metals carried with PM10 and cardiovascular system biomarkers during dust storm.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term exposure to heavy metals (HM) extracted from PM10 on CB in workers' population in an outdoor space located in southern Iran during a dust storm. At first, 44 healthy and non-smoking workers were selected. Then PM10 and Blood samples were collected before and after the dust storm. Finally, HMs associated with PM10 measured by ICP-MS and its effect on the CB, including fibrinogen, CRP, TNF-α, and BP were estimated by ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and Odd Ratio (OR) in SPSS23. Based on the results, the concentration of PM10 and extracted HM such as Cr, As, and Cd was higher than the WHO/EPA standards in dust storms they increased the CB and BP remarkably. Moreover, the level of fibrinogen, blood pressure (BP) and TNF-α in dust storms were higher than in normal conditions (p < 0.05, OR > 3). In addition, As and Cd decreased fibrinogen concentration and systolic BP, respectively. Whereas, TNF-α was associated with concentration of Pb (R = - 0.85) on normal days. Consequently, the HM on PM10 such as As, interferes with the level of investigated CB. These results considered a potential risk for the residents in the southern regions of Iran.

Information Adequacy in Histopathology Request Forms: A Milestone in Making a Communication Bridge Between Confusion and Clarity in Medical Diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: Information contained in request forms for histopathological examinations plays a critical role in the microscopic interpretation of tissue changes. Despite its importance, studies have shown inadequacies in the information communicated by clinicians. This study aimed to determine how well the necessary information is provided on the histopathology request forms and to compare its variability among different departments of a hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective, 3-month, cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate all consecutive histopathology request forms received from different departments of a tertiary, academic hospital for three months, regarding the documentation of 12 criteria. RESULTS: None of the 2040 requests received had all the required items. Four items of specimen description, laboratory and imaging findings, and physician contact number were available only in less than 12.5% (range between 0.05 to 12.45%) of the requests. However, four other items of patient name and contact number, physician name, and anatomical site of the lesion were documented in more than 90%. The median number of the documented items was the highest in the surgery and orthopedics (9 items) and the lowest in the pulmonology department (7 items). Comparison between departments showed that the documentation of items in the surgery department were significantly better than that of the ENT, urology, and internal medicine departments (p < 0.001). Also, the internal medicine department was significantly different from all other departments (p < 0.001) except neurosurgery (p=0.88). CONCLUSION: Our results point out a serious gap in the adequacy of pathology request forms, especially clinical items. Given the implication of such information to ensure patient safety, further studies are recommended to evaluate the impact of educational and supportive computerized interventions such as clinician education and barcoding and specimen tracking systems to help fill in the required items completely.

Cardiac Mass and Cerebrovascular Accident as Primary Manifestations of Churg-Strauss Syndrome.

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS), recently named eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), is a rare form of systemic vasculitis with extravascular granulomas occurring in patients with asthma and tissue eosinophilia. We represent a large left ventricular granuloma, confirmed by histopathologic evaluation, detected as a ventricular mass by echocardiography in a 45-year-old asthmatic male who was admitted for a cerebrovascular accident. Paraclinical and histopathologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of EGPA. As cardiac involvement in patients with EGPA is associated with poor prognosis, routine echocardiographic evaluation of these patients is suggested.

The biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance of bacterial profile from endotracheal tube of patients admitted to intensive care unit in southwest of Iran.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a prevalent nosocomial illness in mechanically ventilated patients. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation of bacterial profiles from Endotracheal Tubes of patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit in southwest Iran. According to the standard operating method, the microbiological laboratory conducts bacteria culture and susceptibility testing on endotracheal Tube samples suspected of carrying a bacterial infection. The Clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) techniques are used to determine the Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacterial isolates to antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. The crystal violet staining method was used to assess the biofilm-forming potential of isolates in a 96-well microtiter plate. In total, (51%) GPBs were included in this study. The isolated GPB were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (16%), S. aureus (14%). In total, (40%) of GNB were included in this study. The isolated GNB were Klebsiella spp. (36%), A. baumannii (22%), P. aeruginosa (35%). (32%) bacterial strains were MDR and (29%) strains were XDR. The results of biofilm formation showed (72%) were biofilm producers. VAP is a common and severe nosocomial infection in mechanically ventilated patients. Controlling biofilm formation, whether on the ET or in the oropharyngeal cavity, is thus an important technique for treating VAP. Colistin and linezolid are antibiotics that are effective against practically all resistant GNB and GPB isolates.

Modelling of n-Hexadecane bioremediation from soil by slurry bioreactors using artificial neural network method.

Diesel oil is known to be one of the major petroleum products that can pollute water and soil. Soil pollution caused by petroleum hydrocarbons has substantially impacted the environment, especially in the Middle East. In this study, modeling and optimization of hexadecane removal from soil was performed using two pure cultures of Acinetobacter and Acromobacter and consortium culture of both bacterial species using artificial neural network (ANN) method. Then the best ANN structure was proposed based on mean square error (MSE) as well as correlation coefficient (R) for pure cultures of Acinetobacter and Acromobacter as well as their consortium. The results showed that the correlations between the actual data and the data predicted by ANN (R2) in Acromobacter, Acinetobacter and consortium of both cultures were 0.50, 0.47 and 0.63, respectively. Despite the low correlation between the experimental data and the data predicted by the ANN, the correlation coefficient and the precision of ANN for the consortium was higher. As a result, ANN had desirable precision to predict hexadecan removal by the cobsertium culture of Ochromobater and Acintobacter.

Lifestyle in Female Teachers: Educational Intervention Based on Self-Efficacy Theory in the South of Fars Province, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Today, improving lifestyles and promoting health are basic needs for human society. The main goal in promoting health is to achieve healthy lifestyle behaviors, and self-efficacy is one of the factors influencing people's lifestyle. Therefore, the impact of educational intervention based on self-efficacy theory on improving lifestyles of the female teachers in Galledar was investigated. METHOD: This study was a semiexperimental study with educational intervention with a control group that was performed on 120 teachers in Galledar. Data collection tools included demographic information questionnaires, health-promoting lifestyle questionnaires, and Sherry's self-efficacy questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 software. RESULT: The mean age and standard deviation of teachers in the control and intervention groups were 33.40 ± 5.68 and 32.83 ± 6.46 years, respectively. Health-promoting lifestyle variables are significant correlation with self-efficacy and overall lifestyle index. Six dimensions which consisted of spiritual growth and self-actualization, health responsibility, interpersonal relationships, stress management, exercise and physical activity, and nutrition showed significant statistical differences before and after educational intervention (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Due to the sensitive role of teachers as an effective human force in the development and evolution of society and their students' role modeling, the authorities should formulate policies, regulate educational interventions, and design strategies for promoting self-efficacy beliefs and promoting a healthy lifestyle for all teachers. We suggest that other methods and theories of behavior change be used in future studies to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Assessing BTEX concentrations emitted by hookah smoke in indoor air of residential buildings: health risk assessment for children.

Hookah smoke is one of the major indoor sources of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), including Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes (BTEX). The present study aimed to investigate potential exposure to BTEX compounds among primary school children whose parents smoked hookah at home. BTEX concentrations in indoor air were measured in 60 residential buildings of Khesht, southwestern Iran (case = 30 and control = 30). Target compounds were sampled by charcoal tubes, and the samples were then analyzed by GC-FID. Monte Carlo simulation was used to assess the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of BTX exposure for the children aged 7-13 years. The concentrations of benzene (7.19 ± 3.09 vs. 0.82 ± 0.5 µg/m3), toluene (1.62 ± 0.69 vs. 0.3 ± 0.22 µg/m3), and xylenes (2.9 ± 1.66 vs. 0.31 ± 0.22 µg/m3) were considerably higher in the indoor air of the case houses compared with the control houses (p < 0.05). The Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) of benzene for non-smoking and smoking houses were estimated 1.8 × 10-6 and 15 × 10-6, respectively, exceeding the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (1 × 10-6). Moreover, Hazard Quotients (HQs) of all BTX compounds were < 1. The indoor benzene concentration was significantly influenced by the floor at which families lived and type of the kitchen. In order to prevent children's exposure to BTX emitted by hookah, banning indoor smoking is the only way to eliminate these compounds in the indoor air.

Ambient air pollution and cardiovascular disease rate an ANN modeling: Yazd-Central of Iran.

This study was aimed to investigate the air pollutants impact on heart patient's hospital admission rates in Yazd for the first time. Modeling was done by time series, multivariate linear regression, and artificial neural network (ANN). During 5 years, the mean concentrations of PM10, SO2, O3, NO2, and CO were 98.48 µg m-3, 8.57 ppm, 19.66 ppm, 18.14 ppm, and 4.07 ppm, respectively. The total number of cardiovascular disease (CD) patients was 12,491, of which 57% and 43% were related to men and women, respectively. The maximum correlation of air pollutants was observed between CO and PM10 (R = 0.62). The presence of SO2 and NO2 can be dependent on meteorological parameters (R = 0.48). Despite there was a positive correlation between age and CD (p = 0.001), the highest correlation was detected between SO2 and CD (R = 0.4). The annual variation trend of SO2, NO2, and CO concentrations was more similar to the variations trend in meteorological parameters. Moreover, the temperature had also been an effective factor in the O3 variation rate at lag = 0. On the other hand, SO2 has been the most effective contaminant in CD patient admissions in hospitals (R = 0.45). In the monthly database classification, SO2 and NO2 were the most prominent factors in the CD (R = 0.5). The multivariate linear regression model also showed that CO and SO2 were significant contaminants in the number of hospital admissions (R = 0.46, p = 0.001) that both pollutants were a function of air temperature (p = 0.002). In the ANN nonlinear model, the 14, 12, 10, and 13 neurons in the hidden layer were formed the best structure for PM, NO2, O3, and SO2, respectively. Thus, the Rall rate for these structures was 0.78-0.83. In these structures, according to the autocorrelation of error in lag = 0, the series are stationary, which makes it possible to predict using this model. According to the results, the artificial neural network had a good ability to predict the relationship between the effect of air pollutants on the CD in a 5 years' time series.

The synergistic interference effect of silica nanoparticles concentration and the wavelength of ELISA on the colorimetric assay of cell toxicity.

The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay is the most common method for the determination of cell toxicity, but some factors limit the sensitivity of this method, such as pH. Less attention had been paid to the interference effect of optical and plasmonic properties of SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) in the wavelength range assigned to MTT. This study investigated the synergistic interference effect of SiO2 NPs and wavelength on MTT assay for the first time. The examined variables included the type of SiO2 NPs concentrations (1, 10, and 100 mM) and different wavelengths (470, 490, 520, and 570 nm). The results showed that optical density (OD) increased (p < 0.05) when wavelength and the concentration of crystalline SiO2 NPs increased. So, the maximum OD at 10 and 100 mM were attributed to crystalline SiO2 NPs (p < 0.05) due to the functional group, whereas it was related to amorphous at 1 mM (p > 0.05). According to polynomial regression modeling (PRM), the maximum interference effect was predicted at crystalline SiO2 NPs and wavelength > 550 nm. Besides, the synergistic effects of SiO2 NPs, wavelength, and concentration of NPs had been a good fitting with first-order PRM. Thus, the concentration of SiO2 NPs had a confounder factor in colorimetric for MTT assay. The best artificial neural network (ANN) structure was related to the 3:7:1 network (Rall = 0.936, MSE = 0.0006, MAPE = 0.063). The correlation between the actual and predicted data was 0.88. As SiO2 NPs presence is an interfering factor in MTT assay concerning wavelength, it is suggested wavelength use with minimum confounding effect for MTT assay.

Risk assessment and disease burden of legionella presence in cooling towers of Iran's central hospitals.

Regular monitoring and measurement of Legionella in tower water and preventive measures against contamination are particularly important in hospitals. This study aimed at risk assessment and disease burden because of legionella presence in cooling towers of Iran's central hospitals. Then its correlation with temperature, pH, turbidity, residual chlorine, and EC was investigated by the Pearson test. The health risk and burden of diseases caused by Legionella exposure were determined using QMRA and DALY models. Statistical analysis and modeling were performed in MATLAB2018. Of the total samples, 30-43% was infected with Legionella. The mean concentrations in hospital A and B were 5-102.5 ± 10 and 5-89.7 ± 0.7 CFU/L, respectively. Among environmental factors, turbidity and pH were the most effective factors in increasing and decreasing Legionella concentration, respectively. According to the QMRA model, the risks of Legionella infections and annual mortality in both hospitals were 0.2-0.3, 0-0.19, 2-2.9 × 10-5, and 0-0.7 × 10-5, respectively, which was higher than the acceptable risk range for Legionella (10-4-10-7). However, the trend of its change was negatively correlated with time (RB = - 0.77). According to the results, the concentration of Legionella and the exposure risk in both hospitals were higher than the permissible range, which is necessary to decrease to 0.1 current concentrations.

The toxicity of SiO2 NPs on cell proliferation and cellular uptake of human lung fibroblastic cell line during the variation of calcination temperature and its modeling by artificial neural network.

Less attention had been paid to cell toxicity of the various synthesis methods of nanoparticles, this study investigated the effect of the calcination temperature(CT) on the crystallization of SiO2 nanoparticles(NPs), cell proliferation(CP), and cellular uptake(CU) in MRC-5. In this study, parameters were adjusted as CT(70-1000 °C), calcination time(2, 12, and 24 h), and catalyst feed rate(0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mL.min1). CP was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) test after a 24-h exposure. The CU was achieved using ICP-MS. Results were analyzed using MATLAB2018. Results revealed that the size of synthesized particles was lower than 50 nm and, the XRD peak varied from 21 to 30° during the increase in CT. FTIR spectra confirmed the existence of Si-O and Si-Cl bonds. The maximum level of crystallization was at 1000 °C. CP decreased with the rise in the concentration of NPs(p < 0.05), as well as an increase in feed rate. A positive relationship between increased crystallization and decreased CP(R = 0.78) was seen, while such a trend was not observed in calcination time. The suggested structure in this study was 4:10:1 with Rall = 0.97, Rtest = 0.97, RMSE = 0.25, and MSE = 0.003. Furthermore, the CU rate increased with the rise in CT and calcination time. The maximum and minimum CU levels were related to NPs calcinated in 1000 °C-24 h and 350 °C-2 h, respectively. As a consequence, the most toxicity of SiO2 NPs was related to the crystalline NP. Therefore, the increase in CT and the calcination time were significant factors affecting on crystallization of SiO2 NPs, CP of lung cell, as well as CU of SiO2. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40201-021-00663-4.

Risk factors for transient and permanent congenital hypothyroidism: a population-based case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is the most important cause of mental and physical retardation in newborns. The prevalence of CH has been reported high in East Azerbaijan province of Iran. However, the risk factors for CH are poorly understood. This study aimed to determine and compare risk factors for permanent and transient CH in East Azerbaijan, Iran. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in the Iranian national screening program for CH. This study included 680 neonates: 340 neonates with confirmed CH and 340 matched healthy controls born at the same period and from the same residential area as the cases. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association between different risk factors and transient and permanent CH. RESULTS: Out of the 680 participants, 364 (53.53%) were male. Family history of CH (OR = 5.09, 95% CI: 1.66-15.63), neonatal jaundice (OR = 3.89, 95% CI: 2.36-6.43) and parental consanguineous relation (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.51-3.17) were associated with an increased risk of permanent CH. Likewise, the use of Betadine in pregnancy (OR = 4.87, 95% CI: 1.45-16.28), family history of CH (OR = 5.98, 95% CI: 2.04-17.48), neonatal jaundice (OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.75-4.52), parental consanguineous relation (OR = 3.86, 95% CI: 1.92-5.74), and gestational age at birth (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.90-5.41) were identified as risk factors for transient CH. CONCLUSION: Family history, neonatal jaundice, gestational age at birth, and Betadine usage in pregnancy are associated with CH.

Effect of land use changes on non-carcinogenic health risks due to nitrate exposure to drinking groundwater.

This study aimed to determine the effect of land-use changes on the non-carcinogenic health risk of nitrate ion exposure of underground drinking water resources in Shiraz (Iran). To this end, 175 chemical samples for the nitrate analysis were regularly taken from 35 drinking water wells of Shiraz from 2013 to 2017, and their results were zoned using GIS. Hazard quotient (HQ) induced by nitrate ion exposure was determined in four age groups: infants, children, adolescents, and adults. Area changes of four types of land-use, including residential, agricultural and green space, industrial, and bare land within a radius of 400 m of drinking water wells, were determined using the GIS and Google Earth software. Then, all data was imported to Matlab 2018 for statistical analysis. The results showed that mean nitrate concentration increased by 2.5 mg L-1 from 2013 to 2017. According to the zoning map, 5 and 11.4% of the area in 2013 and 2017, respectively, exceeded the drinking water standard set by nitrate (i.e., 50 mg/L). Air temperature and precipitation variations also influenced nitrate concentrations and HQ changes (Rtemperature = 0.67). Children's age group was the most vulnerable, and during the study period, this vulnerability was an increasing trend, so that the HQ from 0.93 in 2013 to 0.97 in 2017 has increased. The rate of land-use changes in agricultural, industrial, bare, and urban was -1.8%, 1.3%, -4.6%, and 2.1%, respectively, and the highest correlation was observed between HQ and Diff.l residential land use (Rinfant = 0.55). According to the results, the most influential factor in HQ was air temperature (R = 0.66), and urban land-use change (R > 0.44). To sum up, this study's results showed that land-use changes, especially urban and residential development, significantly affect groundwater nitrate concentration and its degree of HQ. Moreover, increasing temperature and decreasing annual precipitation can also increase the severity of this risk.

4-chlorophenol removal by air lift packed bed bioreactor and its modeling by kinetics and numerical model (artificial neural network).

4-chlorophenol (4-CP) is a hazardous contaminant that is hardly removed by some technologies. This study investigated the biodegradation, and physical 4-CP removal by a mixed microbial consortium in the Airlift packed bed bioreactor (ALPBB) and modeling by an artificial neural network (ANN) for first the time. The removal efficiency of ALPBB was investigated at 4-CP(1-1000 mg/L) and hydraulic retention time (HRT)(6-96 hr) by HPLC. The results showed that removal efficiency decreased from 85 at 1 to 0.03% at 1000 mg/L, with increasing 4-CP concentration and HRT decreasing. BOD5/COD increased with increasing exposure time and concentration decreasing, from 0.05 at 1000 to 0.96 at 1 mg/L. With time increasing, the correlation between COD and 4-CP removal increased (R2 = 0.5, HRT = 96 h). There was a positive correlation between the removal of 4-CP and SCOD by curve fitting was R2 = 0.93 and 0.96, respectively. Moreover, the kinetics of 4-CP removal follows the first-order and pseudo-first-order equation at 1 mg/L and other concentrations, respectively. 4-CP removal modeling has shown that the 2:3:1 and 2:4:1 were the best structures (MSE: physical = 0.126 and biological = 0.9)(R2allphysical = 0.999 and R2testphysical = 0.999) and (R2allbiological = 0.71, and R2testbiological = 0.997) for 4-CP removal. Also, the output obtained by the ANN prediction of 4-CP was correlated to the actual data (R2physical = 0.9997 and R2biological = 0.59). Based on the results, ALPBB with up-flow submerged aeration is a suitable option for the lower concentration of 4-CP, but it had less efficiency at high concentrations. So, physical removal of 4-CP was predominant in biological treatment. Therefore, the modification of this reactor for 4-CP removal is suggested at high concentrations.

Effect of land use on cultivable bioaerosols in the indoor air of hospital in southeast Iran and its determination of the affected radius around of hospital.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of land use on hospital bioaerosols and determine the effective radius. The concentration of fungi and bacteria in indoor and outdoor air was determined by the 0800NIOSH. Then land uses were determined by Google earth within a range of 0.5-5 km around three hospitals. Data were analyzed by using Spearman correlation, and a t test was used to determine differences between groups. Data were recorded in Excel and entered into Matlab2018 for analysis. The results of the study showed that the concentration of fungi and bacteria was higher in the indoor and outdoor hospital B (bacteria = 343-43, fungi = 106-291 CFU/m3) (P = 0.04). Maximum land use was also found in hospitals A and B related to urban and bare, while in hospital C, they were urban and bare. Mathematical modeling has shown that the trend of land-use variation over different radii consisted of the Gaussian model (in hospital B) and Fourier series (in hospitals A and C). Besides, there was a positive correlation between the bare and fungal and bacterial concentrations. Finally, the most effective bare radius of application on the indoor and outdoor fungi was 4 and 5 km, respectively (R2 = 0.99). The effective radius for reducing fungi and bacteria by creating green space was 0.5 and 3 km from the hospital center (R2fungi = - 0.99, R2bacteria = - 0.8). Based on these results, land use is an effective factor in airborne fungi and bacteria in hospitals. Therefore, their control and management of land use during 5 km is necessary to reduce pollution.