Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2016 | Volume:14 | Issue:10|Papers Count:9

Background and Objective: Existence of dye in water resources and wastewater can cause the environmental problems that must be removed from water. There has been some increase in the use of low-cost adsorbent substances as sewage treatment over recent years. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to optimize dye (RO16) removal from aqueous solutions by quarternary ammonium chloride (C6H15Cl2NO) modified sunflower stem using Response Surface Method and Box–Behnken methods.Materials and Methods: This is an experimental study. The batch experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of independent variables such as pH, dye concentration, dosage sorbent and contact time. Then experimental, Response Surface and Box–Behnken methods were applied to appraise the effects of these variables. One-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied for data analysis.Results: The consequences showed that dye removal efficiency intensified by increasing the adsorbent dosage and contact time and decreasing the pH and initial dye concentration. Maximum and the inimum of adsorption rates were 90% and 21%, respectively. High value for R2 (95.7%) and adjusted R2 (90.6%) show that removal of dye can be described by Response Surface Method. One-way ANOVA showed (p<0.001) that linear model is the best model for determining the interaction variables.Conclusion: Response Surface Method can be useful for optimization the removal of dye and modified sunflower stem can be used successfully for dye infiltration.

Background and Objective: Acid dyes are synthetic organic compounds with complicated chemical structures which their treatment are difficult and costly. Discharchig of these dyes into the environmen causes harmful effects on ecosystem and water quality. In this study efficiency investigation of photo-fenton process in removal of acid green 20 dye from wastewater of textile industries was assessed.Materials and Methods: Experimental study in the first half of 2015 was carried out in environmental health engineering research center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Factors which influence on removal including: pH, concentrations of H2O2 and Fe2+, light intensity of UV, the initial concentration of acid green 20 dye and contact time were investigated. Examinations under optimum removal conditions on real textile wastewater which its quality predetermined were also carried out. Sampling and examinations were conducted according to standard methods for examination of water and wastewater 20th edition. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of data.Results: Optimum removal conditions were pH=3 [H2O2]=0.2 mMol, [Fe2+]=40 mg/L, UV=30 watt, the initial concentration of acid green 20 dye=25 mg/L and time=10 minutes. Maximum removal values were 94.62 and 73 percent for synthetic solutions and real wastewater, respectively.Conclusion: Photo-Fenton process is an effective way in removal of acid dyes and able to remove these dyes from wastewater with high efficiency.

Background and Objective: Acroptilon repens has antioxidant properties, so in this experimental study, the antidiabetic and anti-lipid peroxidative properties of its extract were investigated.Materials and Methods: Type I diabetes was induced in male rats by the injection of 60 mg/kg, i.p, of streptozotocin. After one week, diabetes was confirmed in rats if fasting blood glucose level was above 250 mg/dl. Diabetic rats were divided into 3 groups received 300 mg/kg extract, distilled water (0.5 mL) by gavage and 4 U/Rat, i.m. of insulin for 14 days, respectively. Two groups of normal rats also received the same dose of extract and distilled water individually for 14 days. After treatments, rats were sacrificed and serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL), creatinine, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were evaluated by spectrophotometry. Also, red blood cell samples (RBCs) were used for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) level as lipid peroxidation marker.Results: Administration of A. repens extract in diabetic rats for 14 days had no significant antihyperglycemic effect (p=0.910), but decreased serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, ALT, AST, creatinine and increased HDL level (p=0.05) also, MDA level in diabetic rats treated with extract significantly decreased (p=0.002) in comparison with diabetic ones. There was no difference in serum levels of the above factors in normal animals treated with the extract in comparison with normal control rats.Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of A. repens exerted antihyperlipidemic and anti-lipid peroxidative properties in diabetic rats with no adverse effects on liver and kidney function indicators. However, administration of this extract for remedy purposes need more studies.

Background and Objective: High density of industries and phenomena of dust make Ahvaz as one of the most polluted cities in Iran. The aim of current study was determination of cardiovascular death and hospital admissions respiratory disease of particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) on human health in Ahvaz, during 2010-2012.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Ahvaz, during 2010-2012. Pollutant concentrations of PM10 were measured by using GRIMM. Evaluation the effects attributed to PM10 on health was used by statistical analysis and the World Health Organization model (Air Q model).Results: The findings showed that, the total cumulative number of cardiovascular death which can be attributed to exposure with PM10 during 2010-2012 were 714, 898 and 1055 persons, respectively. Also, based on results cumulative number of Hospital Admissions Respiratory Disease which can be attributed to exposure with PM10 during 2010-2012 were equal 2028, 2277 and 2675 persons.Conclusion: The high number of cardiovascular deaths and hospital admissions respiratory disease can be result of dust phenomenon, higher average and continued days with high PM10 concentration in Ahvaz.

Background and Objective: Increased insulin resistance, inflammatory factors and oxidative stress parameters are associated with the development of diabetes complications. Launaea acanthodes contains antioxidant compounds and has hypoglycemic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Launaea acanthodes aqueous extract on antioxidant enzymes level of red blood cells in diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 rats were divided into the equal groups of control, diabetes control and experimental diabetic 1 and 2. Experimental diabetic and diabetic control groups were got diabetic by an intraperitoneal injection of alloxan. Experimental diabetic groups received the aqueous extract of Launaea acanthodes (100 and 300 mg/kg, ip) on alternate days for one month. Sterile distilled water was injected to control and diabetic control groups. On 1st, 15th and 30th days after induction of experimental diabetes, levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione s-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were measured in red blood cells. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc TUKEY test.Results: Significant increase in MDA levels and significant decrease in SOD, GST and CAT enzymes were observed in diabetic rats (p<0.05). Injection of Launaea acanthodes extract (100 and 300 mg/kg, ip) to the diabetic rats, resulted significant decrease in MDA levels and significant increase in SOD, GST, CAT activity enzymes in red blood cells (p<0.05).Conclusion: The results of this study confirm the dose-dependent antioxidant role of Launaea acanthodes extract on improving the oxidative stress in red blood cells from diabetic rats.

Background and Objective: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (Salak) is considered as a neglected skin disease that disfigurement and scar caused by the disease can severely affect the patient's social and psychological performances. This study addressed some of psychiatric disorders in patients recovered from cutaneous leishmaniasis in Rafsanjan city in 2014.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 160 patients improved cutaneous leishmaniasis in the city of Rafsanjan having medical records were examined. Information were collected using the country standard Checklist designed for patients with leishmaniasis, Beck questionnaire for depression, Hamilton anxiety scale and the Beck suicide questionnaires through interviews. Data were analyzed using non-parametric Kruskal- Wallis H test, chi-square test, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.Results: The mean age of individuals was 31.01 ± 14.82 years, a majority (56.9%) of them was males and 81.9% were from rural areas. The majority of the participants were suffering from rural type Salak and 50% of them had no scar. Among people with a scar, half of them had the scar in the face and the other half in the other parts of the body (trunk, hand, and legs). Anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation reached the highest scores, respectively, and the scores were significantly higher among the patients with scar than in those without scar.Conclusion: In overall, results indicate a high prevalence of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation in patients recovered from cutaneous leishmaniasis remaining a scar, which necessitate studying these disorders and also mental health interventions to improve the mental state of these people.

Background and Objective: Parasitic diseases are the most important infectious disorders and one of the main public health problems in many communities. One of the most important ways of parasite infection is to consume the raw vegetables. The aim of this study is to assess the parasitic contaminations of fresh consumed vegetables in Qom.Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which 840 samples of different vegetables including leek, parsley, lettuce, coriander, radish, spring onion, tarragon, basil, mint, and cress collected from 42 vegetable sellers in Qom during 3 months in 2014 were examined. Samples were evaluated for presence of metazoan and protozoan parasitic contaminations. The vegetables were washed with water and tested microscopically after performance of sedimentation method. Results were reported as descriptive statistics (average and percentage).Results: In 265 out of 840 samples (31.55%) were found to have parasitic contamination. Among those 110 (41.51%) and 155 (58.49%) were revealed to be metazoa and protozoa, respectively. The highest rate of contamination was detected in leek and parsley with 48 positive samples (18.11%) and the lowest one in coriander radish and lettuce with 9 (3.39%) and 7 (2.65%) samples were positive respectively. Regarding the parasitic infestations, Entamoeba coli cyst with 113 positive samples (42.64%) and Ascaris ova with 59 positive samples (22.25%) had the most pollution and Oxyuris ova with 4 positive samples (1.51%) had the less pollution among consuming vegetables.Conclusion: The results revealed that the percentage of vegetables contamination in Qom city was middle. It would be recommended that the essential measures should be taken to increase the awareness level of people about the proper disinfection of vegetables.

Background and Objective: Beta thalassemia is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders in Iran. Nowadays the premarital screening program for beta thalassemia has brought the highest concern and attention in our country to prevent any child birth affected by the major thalassemia. Thalassemia major leads to serious medical, social, and economic problems for patients and their families, and patient’s care represents a considerable financial burden for the public health budget. The aim of this study was to evaluate the premarital screening program for beta thalassemia in Eghbal Health Center of Urmia during 2014.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study 2341 volunteers (2167 men and 174 women) participated for routine premarital screening in Eghbal Health Center of Urmia. All men’s volunteers and those men’s wives with low blood indices [MCH (mean cell hemoglobin)<27 pg, MCV (mean red cell volume)<80 fl) and HbA2>%3.5], were included. Hematologic parameters were measured by automated cell counter Sysmex KX-21N. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post Hoc Tukey test.Results: From 2341 subjects, 174 men had MCV<80 fl or MCH<27 pg, so the hematologic indices of their spouses (174 females) were also assessed.58 women had MCV<80 fl or MCH<27 pg. Among these 58 couples (116 subjects), 98 persons (84 women and 14 men) with iron deficiency anemia, 9 participants (7 women and 2 men) with beta thalassemia and 9 participants (2 women and 7 men) with alpha thalassemia were diagnosed. The frequency of alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia carriers among men referred to Eghbal Health Center of Urmia was 0.32% and 0.09%, respectively. In beta thalassemia group, HbA2 level showed a significant increase in comparison with thalassemia major and iron deficiency anemia groups (p=0.001). MCH and MCV levels in beta thalassemia patients were significantly lower than in two other groups (p=0.001).Conclusion: Our findings showed that in 2014, the frequency of thalassemia carriers among men referred to the Eghbal Health Center of Urmia is low. However, implementation of thalassemia screening program in the city can effectively prevent the birth of children with thalassemia and prevent unwanted medical costs.