Analytical study of 226Ra activity concentration in market consuming foodstuffs of Ramsar, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Ramsar, a city of Iran located on the coast of the Caspian Sea, has been considered to be enormously important due to its high natural radioactivity levels. People living in High Level Natural Radiation Areas (HLNRAs) have been exposed by several sources, one of which could be foodstuff. However, many studies have been carried out to measure the environmental radioactivity in Ramsar, but no survey has been conducted in all stapled consumed foods yet. This study was dedicated to determine 226Ra activity concentration in the daily diets of Ramsar residents as a probable exposure. METHODS: Approximately 70 different market samples were collected during the four seasons based on the daily consumption patterns of residents which have the highest consumption and their availability in the seasons. All samples, after washing, drying and pretreatment, were analyzed for 226Ra radionuclide determination by α-spectrometry. RESULTS: The mean radioactivity concentration of 226Ra ranged between 7 ± 1 mBq Kg-1 wet weight in meat, and 318 ± 118 mBq Kg-1 for tea dry leaves. The 226Ra activity concentrations in collected samples varied from below the minimum detectable activity up to 530 ± 30 mBq Kg-1. To compare the results with United Nations Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) reference values, the 226Ra activity concentrations concluded from the results appear to be higher in milk, chicken and eggs and less in grain products, vegetables, fruits and fish products. These results indicate that no significant 226Ra contamination is present in market foodstuffs and provide reference values for the foodstuffs in Ramsar. CONCLUSIONS: Of the total daily dietary 226Ra exposure from market consuming foodstuffs for adults in Ramsar, the largest percentage was from wheat. The residents consuming wheat and manufacturing wheat products such as bread, pasta, porridge, crackers, biscuits, pancakes, pies, pastries, cakes, cookies, muffins, rolls, doughnuts, breakfast cereals and so on may receive an elevated dose in the diet. In conclusion, with regards to presence of 226Ra in foodstuffs it is necessary to monitor regularly the activity of 226Ra in foodstuffs including market and local foods.

Evaluating the efficiency of lettuce disinfection according to the official protocol in iran.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Sanitization of Lettuce according to the protocols set forth by Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education for reducing populations of total coliform, fecal coliform, and helminth eggs present on lettuce. METHODS: In the present study, we determined the load of total coliform, fecal coliform, and parasites of lettuce. The lettuce was sanitized by protocol of Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The protocol consists of 3 levels to disinfect the fruits and vegetables. The procedure was as follows: first washing stage. The leaves of leafy vegetables washed with tap water, second stage, separation of helminth eggs by 3 to 5 droplets of detergent per liter for 5 min; third stage, disinfection of vegetables by calcium hypochlorite solution (with 200 mg/l free chlorine) for 5 min; and finally the disinfected vegetables were washed with tap water. RESULTS: The average initial levels of total coliform and fecal coliform in the samples were 3.36 log(10) cfu/g and 2.31 log(10) cfu/g, respectively. Helminth eggs were not detected in any of the samples tested. The efficiency of total coliform and fecal coliform removal were 78.1% (0.75 log(10)cfu/g) and 79.6% (0.67 log(10)cfu/g), respectively, after washing. This increased up to 94.8(1.44 log(10)cfu/g) and 98.5% (1.90 log(10)cfu/g) after the use of detergent. Chlorine disinfection rose these amounts up to 98.3% (2.18 log(10)cfu/g) and 100% (2.31 log(10)cfu/g), respectively. CONCLUSION: By applying the protocol large parts of microorganisms existing on lettuce have indeed been removed.

Effect of air pollution on onset of acute coronary syndrome in susceptible subgroups.

While long-term exposure to air pollutants is associated with an increase in heart diseases and mortality, little information is available about the short-term effects of air pollution. This case-crossover study assessed the relationship of particulate matter (PM10) and carbon monoxide (CO) levels with hospital admission for acute coronary syndrome in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. We interviewed 250 patients with a first episode of acute coronary syndrome and obtained data from hospital records and Tehran Air Quality Control Company. The risk of acute coronary syndrome was significantly associated with elevated concentrations of CO the day before the event (OR 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03-1.34) but not significantly with PM10 (OR 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99-1.02). Stratification by age, sex, diabetes, hypertension and smoking status did not affect the results, but women were more susceptible than men to CO levels (OR for women/men 1.68; 95% CI: 1.25-2.26).

Effect of air pollution on onset of acute coronary syndrome in susceptible subgroups

While long-term exposure to air pollutants is associated with an increase in heart diseases and mortality, little information is available about the short-term effects of air pollution. This case-crossover study assessed the relationship of particulate matter [PM[10]] and carbon monoxide [CO] levels with hospital admission for acute coronary syndrome in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. We interviewed 250 patients with a first episode of acute coronary syndrome and obtained data from hospital records and Tehran Air Quality Control Company. The risk of acute coronary syndrome was significantly associated with elevated concentrations of CO the day before the event [OR 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03-1.34] but not significantly with PM[10] [OR 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99-1.02]. Stratification by age, sex, diabetes, hypertension and smoking status did not affect the results, but women were more susceptible than men to CO levels [OR for women/men 1.68; 95% CI: 1.25-2.26]

Sensitive determination of bisphenol A and bisphenol F in canned food using a solid-phase microextraction fibre coated with single-walled carbon nanotubes before GC/MS.

A reliable and sensitive method for simultaneous determination of bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol F (BPF) in canned food by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is described after extraction and pre-concentration by a new solid-phase microextraction (SPME) adsorbent. The potential of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as SPME adsorbent for the pre-concentration of environmental contaminants has been investigated in recent years. This work was carried out to investigate the feasibility of SWCNTs as a headspace SPME adsorbent for the determination of bisphenol derivatives in canned food. Potential factors affecting the extraction efficiency, including extraction time, extraction temperature, desorption time, desorption temperature, and salinity were optimized. Calibration curves were linear (r(2)> or = 0.994) over the concentration range from 0.30 to 60 microg kg(-1). For both target analytes, the limit of detection (LOD) at signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 3 was 0.10 microg kg(-1). In addition, a comparative study between the SWCNT and a commercial polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) SPME fibre for the determination of bisphenol derivatives in canned food was conducted. SWCNT fibre showed higher extraction capacity, better thermal stability (over 350 degrees C) and longer life span (over 150 times) than the commercial PDMS fibre. The method was successfully applied to determine BPA in canned food samples which were purchased from local markets. BPA was found in some of the samples within the concentration range from 0.5 to 5.2 microg kg(-1).

Comparing two treatment methods for post mastectomy lymphedema: complex decongestive therapy alone and in combination with intermittent pneumatic compression.

There is no cure for breast cancer related lymphedema. This study was conducted to compare two treatment methods for postmastectomy lymphedema: Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) and Modified CDT (MCDT) combined with Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC). One hundred and twelve patients referred to the Lymphedema Clinic of the Iranian Center for Breast Cancer in 2008, were included in a randomized clinical trial. They were randomly allocated into two equal groups receiving daily CDT alone or in combination with IPC. The volume reduction of the upper limb was measured by water displacement volumetry. No statistically significant differences in demographic and clinical variables between the two groups were observed. During the intensive phase (phase I) of treatment, CDT alone yielded a significantly higher mean volume reduction than the combination modality (43.1% vs. 37.5%; p = 0.036). Limb volume measured three months following treatment, showed 16.9% volume reduction by CDT alone, and 7.5% reduction by MCDT plus IPC. This study demonstrated that the use of CDT alone, or in combination with IPC significantly reduced limb volume in patients with post mastectomy lymphedema. CDT alone provided better results in both treatment phases. Further studies will help to define the role of multidisciplinary approaches in the management of postmastectomy lymphedema.

Comparison of naproxen with placebo for the management of noncyclical breast pain: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Breast pain is a common symptom in patients attending breast clinics. Although most patients experience mastalgia of mild to moderate severity, approximately 15% of patients suffer from severe pain that causes significant distress and some disturbance in their daily life that lead them to seek treatment. Despite a considerable number of drugs suggested for decreasing the severity of mastalgia, there is no standard treatment for the complaint. In this study, we investigated the effect of naproxen on reducing the complaint of breast pain compared with placebo. METHODS: Eighty-one women suffering from noncyclic breast pain were recruited to a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial between January 2002 and September 2004. All patients were suffering from this complaint for at least 3 months before the study. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in the case group received naproxen 250 mg BD. Patients in the placebo group took placebo in a similar manner. The intensity of mastalgia was assessed before and twice after intervention by using a Visual Analogue Scale. RESULTS: Forty-two of 81 patients were recruited randomly as cases and the remaining 39 were assigned placebo. Of these 24 and 22 patients fulfilled the study protocol respectively. The mean age of patients was 35 (SD = 7.5; range, 19-55) years. The mean pain severity at the beginning of the study was 5.8 and 6.1 in naproxen and placebo groups, respectively. The severity of pain was decreased significantly at the end of the study in both groups (3.9 in patients and 3.7 in controls (P = 0.005 and 0.0001)). Although the decrease in pain severity in each individual group was statistically significant, it was not significant compared with one another (P = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Breast pain is a complex symptom that can be relieved significantly with reassurance. According to the result of this study, naproxen has no superiority over placebo in reducing noncyclic breast pain.

Isolation and identification of atrazine-degrading bacteria from corn field soil in Fars province of Iran.

In this study several agricultural fields with a long history of atrazine application in Fars province of Iran have been explored for their potential of atrazine biodegradation. After several subculturing for a period of 300 days acclimation, leads to an enhancement of atrazine biodegradation rate. A successful enrichment culture with a high capability for atrazine degradation was obtained (88%). A combination of enrichment culture technique, in a basal salt medium containing atrazine and carbon sources under nitrogen limitation and plating on indicator atrazine agar, have permitted the isolation of bacterial consortium with high capability of using atrazine as a nitrogen source. Seven gram-negative and one gram-positive bacterial strain, which were able to use this herbicide as a sole source of nitrogen, were isolated from Darehasalouie Kavar corn field soil. Based on physiological, biochemical and nutritional characteristics, the isolated bacteria were identified as Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Acidovorax sp., Pseudomonas putida, Ralstonia eutrophus, Pseudomonas syiringe, Erwinia tracheiphila, Entrobacter agglomerans and Micrococcus varians. Therefore, the bacterial consortium in liquid culture containing carbon sources and atrazine as a sole source of nitrogen, degrade added atrazine more than 80%.

Patient satisfaction: a descriptive study of a breast care clinic in Iran.

A descriptive study was carried out to examine patient satisfaction among women attending the Iranian Centre for Breast Cancer. A specially designed patient satisfaction questionnaire was distributed to all attendees and they were asked to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire contained items on satisfaction with care organization, physical environment, personnel communication skills, clinical care, and overall satisfaction. In all, 425 women participated in the study. The mean age of women was 40.4 years (SD = 11.6), most were married (81%) and housewives (69%). A vast majority of women were very satisfied or satisfied with physical environment, personnel communication skills, and clinical care received. Eighty-two per cent of respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with the clinic's overall performance. There was a significant agreement between patients' overall satisfaction and satisfaction with physical environment, personnel communication skills, and clinical care. There was greatest agreement between patients' overall satisfaction and satisfaction with examination room (Kappa = 0.21, P < 0.0001) and with physicians' consultation (Kappa = 0.20, P < 0.0001). None of the demographic variables showed any significant association with patients' overall satisfaction. The findings suggest that the physical environment and physicians' style of consultation contribute most to the patients' overall satisfaction.