Original Article
Sayedeh Elmira Yazdi-Rouholamini; Nasrin Motamed; Mohammad Tahmasb; Kobra Omidfar
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 386-391
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Metastatic cancers, such as breast cancer, are generally resistant to chemotherapy. Therefore many researches try to find new and effective compounds to treat this type of cancer. In this study, we examined the Silibinin toxic effect on tumor growth and proliferation of MCF-7 ...
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Background & Objectives: Metastatic cancers, such as breast cancer, are generally resistant to chemotherapy. Therefore many researches try to find new and effective compounds to treat this type of cancer. In this study, we examined the Silibinin toxic effect on tumor growth and proliferation of MCF-7 cell line. Materials & methods MTT assay was used to assess the inhibitory effect of silibinin on metabolic activity of MCF_7 cells. For this purpose, seeded cells were plated on to 96-well plates and then exposed to varying concentrations of silibinin (0-350 ug/mL) for different time (24, 48 and 72 h). The percentage of metabolic activity was calculated according to the MTT test. In next step, in order to evaluate the effect of silibinin on apoptosis in MCF_7 cells, Caspase 3/7 test was used. Results: Our results indicate that silibinin inhibited metabolic activity of MCF-7cells in a dose-dependent manner and it can induce apoptosis pathway in these cells. Conclusion: The study showed that treatment of MCF-7 cell line with Silibinin can be through induction of apoptosis, inhabitation of the growth and proliferation of cells. Due to the significant inhibitory effect of silibinin on MCF-7 cells, it seems important for researchers to utilize milk thistle in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
Original Article
Mohammad Miri; Seyede Mojgan Mosavi Bideli; Mehdi Mokhtari; Hamideh Ebrahimi Aval
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 392-397
Abstract
Background Vegetables are important components of a healthy and proper diet. The main route of entry of heavy metals into the body is through the foods, especially vegetables. Because the use of wastewater for irrigation has become a common practice, and the standards in this regard are not met, especially ...
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Background Vegetables are important components of a healthy and proper diet. The main route of entry of heavy metals into the body is through the foods, especially vegetables. Because the use of wastewater for irrigation has become a common practice, and the standards in this regard are not met, especially the products that are consumed raw materials like vegetables can threaten public health. Therefore, in this study, the concentrations of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic) in vegetables distributed in green groceries of Yazd City, Iran were measured.Materials & Methods This research was a cross-sectional study. Over 2 months, 40 samples of vegetables (parsley, coriander, leek, and lettuce), (20 samples in each month) were randomly selected from Yazd greengroceries and prepared according to the standard method for determining the concentration of heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrometry. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and Excel. Finally, the obtained data were compared with the standards of the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization.Results The average values of the studied heavy metals in vegetables were different. Parsley had the highest total concentration of heavy metals (518 mg/kg), and lettuce had the lowest total concentration of heavy metals (305 mg/kg).Conclusion The concentration of heavy metals was more than WHO and FAO standards. Probably soil or water that is used for vegetable growth has a lot of heavy metals and is not standard for vegetable irrigation. Therefore, controlling policies from respective organizations are of necessity.
Original Article
Naeemeh Nasergholi-Bafghi; Hamid Molaei; Ali Hasanzadeh
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 398-405
Abstract
Background The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between attachment styles and emotional intelligence/social adjustment of female high school students in Bafq, Iran. Materials & Methods This study used a descriptive correlational methodology. The study population consisted of all ...
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Background The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between attachment styles and emotional intelligence/social adjustment of female high school students in Bafq, Iran. Materials & Methods This study used a descriptive correlational methodology. The study population consisted of all 700 students of Bafq, from them a total of 250 students were chosen based on Morgan table and through a multistep clustering sampling method. Shoot's (1998) questionnaire of emotional intelligence, Ahqar's (2006) questionnaire of social adjustment, and Hazen & Shaver (1987) questionnaire of adult attachment were used for data collection. Results Results showed that, by having students' avoidant attachment, one can predict 0.254 and 0.379 of their emotional intelligence (P<0.001) and social adjustment (P<0.001), respectively. However, one cannot significantly predict students' emotional intelligence and social adjustment based on their safe/ambivalent attachment style. Also, there is a direct and significant relationship between students' emotional intelligence and their social adjustment (P>0.05).Conclusion In order to establish a secure attachment style, and building social relationships and adaptation to challenging and stressful situations, it is recommended to have the emotional intelligence construct.
Mohammad Taghi Samadi; Reza Shokohi; Samaneh Shanehsaz
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 406-415
Abstract
Background Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds are emerging group of trace contaminants detected in wastewater and water resources worldwide. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the compounds that can cause serious health problems.Materials and Methods In this study, the removal of BPA from aqueous solutions by multi-walled ...
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Background Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds are emerging group of trace contaminants detected in wastewater and water resources worldwide. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the compounds that can cause serious health problems.Materials and Methods In this study, the removal of BPA from aqueous solutions by multi-walled carbon nanotubes was investigated. Experiments were performed in batch reactor and changing effective factors such as pH, contact time, concentration of carbon nanotubes, and concentration of BPA. The concentrations of BPA were measured using UV-VIS spectrophotometer at wavelength of 280 nm.Results The results showed that maximum removal efficiency was 95% at a concentration of 400 mg/L of carbon nanotubes, pH=7, retention time of 60 minutes and BPA concentration of 20 mg/L. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 111.6 mg/g and the adsorption data were best fitted to the Freundlich isotherms and pseudo-second order.Conclusion The results showed that carbon nanotubes have a high ability to adsorb BPA in the aquatic environment and can be used as a suitable adsorbent from aqueous solution.
Original Article
Mehrnoosh Nayebyazdi; Akbar Soleimani; Omid Gholami
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 416-421
Abstract
Background The research has shown that some plant extracts have protective effects on hepatocytes. This study examined the effects of ginger on hepatotoxicity. Administration of ginger can reduce blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, antioxidant, blood pressure, and heart rate and it has anti-inflammatory ...
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Background The research has shown that some plant extracts have protective effects on hepatocytes. This study examined the effects of ginger on hepatotoxicity. Administration of ginger can reduce blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, antioxidant, blood pressure, and heart rate and it has anti-inflammatory effect.Materials and Methods Thirty-six female NMRI mice were randomly divided into 6 groups. Group I as a control group received ethanol 20%. Group II, as an intoxicated control group treated with acetaminophen (500 mg/kg BW). In groups III and IV, extract of ginger rhizome (GR) 20 and 40 mg/kg BW was administered, respectively. In the groups V and VI, extract of ginger 20 and 40 mg/kg BW along with acetaminophen (500 mg/kg BW) was administered, respectively. At the end of trial, blood samples were taken. SAS 2001 software was used for data analysis with significant level set at P<0.05.Results Ginger extract with the dosages of 20 and 40 mg/kg BW reduced serum glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride significantly.Conclusion Ginger extract has the potential for decreasing glucose and fat and prevents liver damages. These results obviously need further investigation.
Original Article
Vahid Ataie Moghanloo; Roghayeh Ataie Moghanloo; Malihe Pishvaei; Maryam Goudarzian
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 422-429
Abstract
Background Loss of wife along with the phenomenon of aging could cause psychological disorders and shorten the duration of this stage of life. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of treatment reminders of life with emphasis on integrative reminiscence on self-esteem and anxiety in old widowed men.Materials ...
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Background Loss of wife along with the phenomenon of aging could cause psychological disorders and shorten the duration of this stage of life. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of treatment reminders of life with emphasis on integrative reminiscence on self-esteem and anxiety in old widowed men.Materials & Methods The research method was a randomized clinical trial with pretest and posttest design with a control group. The study population included all 60- to 80-year-old people living in Meshginshahr, Iran. Of whom 34 participants were selected using convenient sampling method. They were randomly allocated into two equal groups (experimental and control). The experimental group participated in therapy sessions and the control group did not receive any interventions. The research instrument was Rosenberg self-esteem scale and questionnaire of general anxiety.Results Multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) results showed that the treatment was efficient on variables of self-esteem and anxiety in old widowed men (P<0.001).Conclusion Managing certain psychological disorders in the elderly can be done by the proper and alternative treatments. It seems that integration of personality through integrated reminiscence can have different results in adjusting or treating people.
Original Article
Ali Salehi; Nabi Shariatifar; Aftab Salehi; Alireza Mohammadzadeh
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 430-437
Abstract
Background Food-borne pathogens are a group of microorganisms that cause food-borne illness, and the research for finding effective natural products against the infection arisen from these microorganisms is necessary. The purpose of this study was to determine antimicrobial effect of aqueous and ethanol ...
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Background Food-borne pathogens are a group of microorganisms that cause food-borne illness, and the research for finding effective natural products against the infection arisen from these microorganisms is necessary. The purpose of this study was to determine antimicrobial effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Rheum ribes on some important foodborne bacteria.Materials & Methods After collecting the leaves and stalks of rhubarb in the spring, its different concentrations of 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 mg/mL were prepared. Then, antibacterial effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts were determined by the disk diffusion and serial dilution methods.Results Findings showed that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of stalks and leaves of rhubarb have good inhibitory effect on S. aureus and E. coli. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ethanolic leaves and stalks extracts of rhubarb against S. aureus and E. coli were ≤75, ≤50, ≤100, and ≤75, respectively, and MIC of the aqueous leaves and stalks extracts of rhubarb against S. aureus and E. coli were ≤100, ≤100, ≤125, and ≤100, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentration of the ethanolic leaves and stalks extracts of rhubarb against S. aureus and E. coli were ≤100, ≤75, ≤150, and ≤125, respectively, and aqueous extracts did not have bactericidal effects.Conclusion Extracts of rhubarb leave and stalk showed a good antimicrobial activity against food-borne pathogens. Therefore, they can be used in food preservation systems to inhibit the growth of these bacteria and improve food quality and safety.
Original Article
Farzaneh Kyvanlo; Morteza Binesh; Hamid Nehardani
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 438-443
Abstract
Background This study aimed to assess social health components in the education department of Sabzevar, Iran in 2014.Materials & Methods The study population consisted of all employees of the Department of Education of Sabzevar, Iran, a total of 150 persons. The study sample (N=114) was recruited ...
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Background This study aimed to assess social health components in the education department of Sabzevar, Iran in 2014.Materials & Methods The study population consisted of all employees of the Department of Education of Sabzevar, Iran, a total of 150 persons. The study sample (N=114) was recruited by simple random sampling method (Krejcie and Morgan Table, 1970). The measurement tool was Keynesian social health questionnaire with 5 components (social prosperity, social solidarity, social cohesion, social acceptance, and social participation) which is a standardized questionnaire regarding its validity and reliability. The descriptive statistics were used to analyze data through SPSS (ver 20.0). Results The results showed that the average social health in Directorate of Education of Sabzevar City is 61.68%. Among them, 12.20% were of high social health, 78.80% were of average social health, and social health of no case was under the lower limit, with standard deviation of 5.265. The mean values of all components of the social health were obtained which were more than 50%. There was not found any significant differences with regard to gender, marital status, and educational level. However, the income amount, work experience, and residency area of the participants had significant effects.Conclusion According to the results, the average score was between 47 and 74. It can be concluded that the public health of education staff in Sabzevar is at the average level. The maintenance of this condition and its promotion should be managed by integrated planning and encouragements.
Original Article
Fatemeh Rostami Golmohammadi; Ali Kazemi Karyani; Maryam Goudarzian; Saeed Asefzadeh; Sattar Mehraban
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 444-457
Abstract
Background Given the scarcity of resources in the areas of health, the efficient use of these resources is very important. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency of rural health centers of Ghazvin province in the period of 2006-2010.Materials & Methods This is a descriptive-analytical ...
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Background Given the scarcity of resources in the areas of health, the efficient use of these resources is very important. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency of rural health centers of Ghazvin province in the period of 2006-2010.Materials & Methods This is a descriptive-analytical study, in which all rural health centers in Qazvin Province, 43 centers, were included. Independent variables were the number of physicians, health experts, technicians, and community health workers, and the dependent variables were percentages of screening for congenital hypothyroidism, percentages of iron supplementation in the first guidance school students, number of visits of public procurements and food distribution centers, number of general practitioner’s visit, and number of specialist referral by the general physician. In this study, input-oriented model and variable returns to scale (VRS) assumption were used. Also, time trend of efficiency was estimated with a regression model. Data envelopment analysis (DEA)-solver and Stata software were used to measure efficiency and estimate regression models, respectively.Results The mean technical efficiencies during 2006 to 2010 were 0.77, 0.77, 0.78, 0.92, and 0.89, respectively. Also, the average scale efficiencies in these years were 0.98, 0.95, 0.95, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively. Average score of managerial efficiency increased from 0.78 to 0.92 during this period. The results of time trend showed that β-coefficient for average score of efficiency was 0.039 and statistically significant (P=0.03). Conclusion The mean levels of efficiency and health outcomes have been improved in these years but some of resources are still wasted. It seems that some practices such as ongoing evaluation of performance, improving the quality and quantity of services, and programing for optimal use of inputs, can be particularly useful.
Original Article
Mehdi Baghayeri; Behrooz Maleki; Ahmad Alahabadi; Forough Reyahi Manesh; Amirhassan Amiri
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 458-467
Abstract
Backround Pharmaceutical resources are becoming increasingly problematic contaminants of water resources, particularly in surface and groundwater sources located around industrial and residential communities. They enter water sources mostly through discharges from pharmaceutical industries and municipal ...
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Backround Pharmaceutical resources are becoming increasingly problematic contaminants of water resources, particularly in surface and groundwater sources located around industrial and residential communities. They enter water sources mostly through discharges from pharmaceutical industries and municipal wastewater. Consumption of water contaminated with pharmaceutical discharges can have several harmful effects like acute and chronic toxicity in humans. Another critical concern regarding pharmaceutical discharges in water sources is the development of bacterial resistance to medicinal treatment of bacterial infections.Materials & Methods The activated carbon was purchased from Merck Co. A stock solution of 1000 mg/L of entacapone was prepared by dissolving 1.0 g entacapone in 1 L distilled water. In this study, two types of contaminated water (aqueous solution and contaminated real water) were prepared and examined. The aqueous solution was made from mixing aliquots of entacapone stock solution with distilled water. To determine the remaining entacapone in the samples, they were analyzed by a Hach UV-VIS spectrophotometer (DR5000).Results This study showed that activated carbon could be functionalized with magnetic nanoparticles and such magnetic-activated carbon could be used as adsorbents for the removal of entacapone from water samples. The results showed that contact time, sample pH, concentration of entacapone, and concentration of the adsorbent were effective on the removal process. The equilibrium results showed the best fit with Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 357.1 mg/g.Conclusion We described here the preparation of magnetic-activated carbons in one reaction step, and the prepared carbon was used as the adsorbents to remove entacapone from water samples rapidly and effectively. The magnetic nanoparticles can be well immobilized on activated carbons and easily separated from the solution using an external magnet. The results revealed that magnetic-activated carbons could be used as the potential adsorbents for removing entacapone from environmental water.
Original Article
Mehdi Birjandi; Mohammad Salehi-Marzijarani; Seyyed Mohammad Taghi Ayatollahi; Houshang Rashidi; Ali Hosseinzadeh
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 468-477
Abstract
Background Oral diseases are common in many communities and dental caries is the most prevalent disease among children and adults. DMFT (Decayed Missed Filled Teeth) is one of the useful indexes in dental epidemiology. This study aimed to investigate caries epidemiology among students and compare several ...
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Background Oral diseases are common in many communities and dental caries is the most prevalent disease among children and adults. DMFT (Decayed Missed Filled Teeth) is one of the useful indexes in dental epidemiology. This study aimed to investigate caries epidemiology among students and compare several modeling of DMFT based on real data.Materials & Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on school children aged 7-12 years in Khoramabad City, Iran during 2010 to 2011. A total of 920 samples were recruited by multistage random sampling method. Regarding to countable data, right skewness and zero inflated variable of DMFT index, different models such as Poisson regression, negative-binomial regression, and zero-inflated Poisson regression were used for modeling, and the selection of the best model was based on the minimum amount of AIC and BIC. Data analysis was performed using Stata version 12, according to significant level of 5%.Results In this study, 43% of school children were girls and the rest were boys, so that their Mean±SD age and DMFT were 9.02±1.49 years and 1.02±1.35, respectively. A total of 528 (out of 920) children had dental caries. Zero-inflated Poisson regression, comparing with other models, was of the best model for goodness of fit among the fitted models. This model revealed significant relationships between being at risk of dental caries and variables of age, father’s educational level, and presence of microbial plaque (P<0.05). Severity of dental caries intensified significantly as children’s ages increased (P<0.05).Conclusion The best regression method for modeling DMFT among all models in this study was zero-inflated Poisson regression. Age, father’s educational level, and presence of microbial plaque were significantly correlated with children’s dental caries.
Original Article
Abdolkazem Neisi; Mehdi Vosoughi; Anvar Asadi; Mohammad Javad Mohammadi; Mohammad Shirmardi; Mehdi Fazlzadeh; Amir Zahedi
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 478-489
Abstract
Background Many industries can pollute water quality due to their wastewater discharging into water resources. Textile industries are one of the main sources of water pollution. Due to their high toxicity, wastewaters containing dyes cause many environmental problems. Acidic dyes are one of the main ...
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Background Many industries can pollute water quality due to their wastewater discharging into water resources. Textile industries are one of the main sources of water pollution. Due to their high toxicity, wastewaters containing dyes cause many environmental problems. Acidic dyes are one of the main classes of dyes. In this study, nano-alumina and micro-alumina powder have been used for the adsorption of acid red 14 dye.Materials & Methods This study was carried out in the batch system in laboratory scale. Different parameters such as initial dye concentration, pH, and adsorbent dose were examined. Spectrophotometry (UV/VIS Lambda 25 Perkin Elmer, Shelton) was used to quantify the remaining dyes concentration. Adsorption isotherm and kinetic behaviors of adsorbent for acidic dye removal were studied and fitted to different models.Results The result showed that with increasing the contact time, acid red 14 removal efficiency by micro-alumina and nano-alumina powder and amount of adsorption per mass unit (qe) increased to 18 and 40 mg/L, respectively, and when adsorbent dose increased from 0.2 to 1.2 g/L, qe decreased from 23 to 12 and 47 to 39, respectively. With increasing the pH value in examined range, the removal efficiency decreased from 30 to 6 and 60 to 15 for micro-alumina and nano-alumina powder, respectively. The results of the study of adsorption of acid red 14 by micro-alumina and nano-alumina powder revealed that its kinetics obeyed pseudo-second order (R2>0.99 and 0.98, respectively). The results of present study on adsorption of acid red 14 on micro-alumina and nano-alumina powder revealed that isotherm obeyed Langmuir adsorption (R2 >0.99 and 0.98, respectively). Conclusion The present study showed that the nano-alumina rather than mciro-alumina can be a promising adsorbent for the removal of acidic dyes such as acid red 14.
Original Article
Mohammad-Shafi Mojadadi; Najmeh Mahmoodabadi; Zohreh Sajadiniya; Rahim Golmohamadi; Hossein Elyasi
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 490-495
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that infects all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women frequently leads to congenital toxoplasmosis which may cause abortion or severe diseases such as premature birth, ...
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Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that infects all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women frequently leads to congenital toxoplasmosis which may cause abortion or severe diseases such as premature birth, permanent neurological damage, and visual impairment in the baby. Serological survey in females before marriage can reveal immune status of them against toxoplasmosis. This research aimed to determine the anti-toxoplasma antibodies in female students of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.Materials & Methods In this cross-sectional study, 137 blood samples were taken from female students that were randomly selected and used for the measurement of anti-toxoplasma antibodies by ELISA method. Using a researcher-designed questionnaire, information such as consuming grilled and undercooked meat, exposure to cats and residency status was collected. The data analysis was performed by Chi-square test using SPSS.Results The detected IgG antibodies in 18(13.1%) samples were significant, and no IgM antibody was found in the studied samples. There were no significant differences between infection and factors such as residency status (urban/rural), vegetables consumption, cat keeping, eating underdone and roasted meat (P>0.1).Conclusion The results of this study revealed that 86.9% of female students were seronegative and at high risk for acquiring infection, thus they should be educated to prevent contracting congenital toxoplasmosis during the period of pregnancy.
Original Article
Nahid Jesri; Abedin Saghafipour; Fatemeh Rezaei; Moharram Karami Jooshin
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 496-503
Abstract
Background This study aimed to assess the geographical distribution of smoking which is a risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disorders in Iran. In this regard, mapping of cigarette smoking was designed and implemented using Geographic Information ...
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Background This study aimed to assess the geographical distribution of smoking which is a risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disorders in Iran. In this regard, mapping of cigarette smoking was designed and implemented using Geographic Information System.Materials & Methods This is a cross-sectional study. Initially, the national data from risk factors for non-communicable diseases screening program were collected from the Iranian Non-communicable Disease Control Center. Then, the incidence of cigarette smoking in each province was calculated. These data have been prepared by the Health Ministry. In the next step, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Then, these data were arranged in a geo-referenced database in the ArcGIS software. The map of distribution of cigarette smoking was drawn by ArcGIS version 9.3.Results The incidence of cigarette smoking in Iran has been estimated as 10.82%. More than 20% of Iranian men currently smoke tobacco on a daily basis and this percentage among Iranian women is 1.02%. The average start age of smoking is at the age of 20.13 years. The average smoking years was 13.82 years. Cigarette smoking in many provinces, such as Tehran, West Azerbaijan, Ardebil, as well as Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, were higher than the national average. Conclusion People in the provinces of Tehran, West Azerbaijan, Ardebil, as well as Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, are more exposed to the danger of cigarette smoking than the people in the other provinces.
Original Article
Mahnaz Torabi-Hokmabadi; Ahamd Alahabadi; Abolfazl Rahmani-Sani; Somayyeh Zarei-Tazarghi; Hamidreza Karimi-Sani; Mohamadreza Behrozikhah
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 504-515
Abstract
Background Painkillers such as diclofenac are widely used in human medicine and veterinary medicine. Because of their excretion into water resources and subsequent environmental hazards, their removal from the waters and wastewaters is essential. Since, these drugs cannot undergo biodegradation, an advanced ...
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Background Painkillers such as diclofenac are widely used in human medicine and veterinary medicine. Because of their excretion into water resources and subsequent environmental hazards, their removal from the waters and wastewaters is essential. Since, these drugs cannot undergo biodegradation, an advanced treatment such as adsorption method must be applied for their removal and one of the best adsorbents in this regard is activated carbon. This study aimed to investigate the removal of diclofenac contaminant by NH4Cl-induced activated carbon.Materials & Methods Activated carbon produced from agricultural wastes was impregnated with ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and activated at 800°C. The experiments were conducted in a closed system using a magnet stirrer at 100 rpm. In this investigation, the effects of several variables, namely adsorbent concentration, contact time, pH, and temperature, on the removal of diclofenac were evaluated. Then, isotherms and adsorption thermodynamic were explored. We used DR 5000 spectrophotometer model for drug analysis with the wavelength of 275 nm.Results The produced NAC (NH4Cl-induced activated carbon), having the special surface of 1029 m2/g and pores volume of 2.46 nm, was able to remove 0.81% of diclofenac from a solution of 50 mg/L at the sorbent concentration of 0.8 mg/L, pH 6, in 20 minutes time. The equilibrium adsorption experiments showed that the absorption of diclofenac on NAC followed the Longmuir model and the absorption capacity was 212.5 mg/g. Using the diclofenac concentration of 50 mg/L and other optimal conditions, thermodynamic studies of diclofenac absorption on NAC showed that the amount of drug removal increased from 73% to 95% with increasing temperature from 10°C to 40°C. Conclusion NAC can be used as a convenient and inexpensive adsorbent for the removal of diclofenac and other drug compounds from polluted waters and wastewaters.
Original Article
Naseh Esmaeili; Mohammad Alizadeh; Ali Tarighat Esfanjani
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 516-525
Abstract
Background Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle changes, especially with regard to diet, have an important role in prevention and treatment of this syndrome. This study was designed to identify barriers related to nutritional attitudes ...
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Background Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle changes, especially with regard to diet, have an important role in prevention and treatment of this syndrome. This study was designed to identify barriers related to nutritional attitudes changes among patients with metabolic syndrome.Materials & Methods This is a qualitative study in which 6 semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted at outpatient department of main general hospital of Mahabad from April to June 2013. A total of 36 married men and women with different levels of education aged 20-50 years with metabolic syndrome, diagnosed based on International Diabetes Federation criteria, were chosen by purposeful sampling method. Focus group discussions data were audio recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis method was used for the analysis of the study data.Results Based on data analysis, barriers related to nutritional attitudes changes among patients with metabolic syndrome identified and classified in main themes were as follows: metabolic syndrome components relationship to nutrition, fats and oils, salt, dairy products, cereals, sugary drinks and sweets, meat, and finally meals and snacks.Conclusion Study results showed barriers related to nutritional attitudes in patients with metabolic syndrome could facilitate the designing of nutrition education programs and use in preventing metabolic syndrome consequences.
Original Article
Mohaddeseh Mohsenpour; Abbas Abbaszadeh; Mohammad Hasan Rakhshani; Mohammad Sadeghi Bimorgh; Seiedeh Soolmaz Mousavi
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 526-531
Abstract
Objectives Quality of work life has important role in job satisfaction and quality of services. Personality compatibility with profession is one of the issues that affect job satisfaction. This study was conducted for the purpose of evaluation of nurses’ quality of work life in Sabzevar University ...
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Objectives Quality of work life has important role in job satisfaction and quality of services. Personality compatibility with profession is one of the issues that affect job satisfaction. This study was conducted for the purpose of evaluation of nurses’ quality of work life in Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, and comparing it with their demographic data and its correlation with personality-profession compatibility.Materials & Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses in Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences by two-stage sampling (quota - random) method. Holland personality-profession compatibility questionnaire and quality of life questionnaire were used for this study, after confirming their reliability and validity by coefficient and expert agreement. The obtained data were entered into SPSS and were analyzed with statistical analysis. Results The average quality of work life in the studied nurses was 20.51 and standard deviation was 4.16. About 39.5% of nurses were dissatisfied with the quality of their work life, 4.8% satisfied, and 1.6% was very satisfied. Personality of the 20.6% of participants was quite compatible, 33.4% was relatively compatible, and 46% was incompatible with nursing profession. Average quality of work life in terms of personality compatibility differences was not statistically significant.Conclusion In this study, the quality of work life has been reported poor, and most nurses showed inappropriate personality for this profession. According to the main results, attention of managers to these two important issues in this group, as the largest health care provider group, was suggested.
Original Article
Razieh Khosro Rad; Sakineh Soltani Kouhbanani
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 532-539
Abstract
Background Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder-behavior which is common among children, affecting their performance with respect to social, educational and family aspects. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of perceptual-motor exercises ...
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Background Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder-behavior which is common among children, affecting their performance with respect to social, educational and family aspects. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of perceptual-motor exercises on improving the motor capabilities of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Materials & Methods This research is a semi-experimental one. The study populations of the research were elementary boy students with ADHD living in Ilam City, Iran during the academic year 2012-2013. The sample consisted of 30 boy students who were of 7-12 years old with ADHD, which were examined according to DSM-IV criteria and Conner's questionnaire and selected as the case group undergone test motor development (Lincoln Oseretsky test). They were divided randomly into control and experimental groups. The experimental group received 24 sessions intervention. Posttest was performed for both groups. The obtained data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics, and independent t test through using SPSS version 13.Results The results showed that cognitive-movement exercise improved mobility problems of students with ADHD. Therefore it is recommended to increase the physical fitness of children with ADHD in schools and, thus for improving motor impairment, cognitive-movement training exercises be performed.Conclusion Based on research findings, it can be concluded that cognitive-movement exercises improves mobility problems of students with ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that, to increase the physical fitness of children in schools and thus for improving their motor impairment, cognitive-movement training exercises be performed.
Original Article
Mohammad Malakootian; Marzie Javdan; Farnaz Iranmanesh; Kamyar Yaghmaeian
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, Pages 540-549
Abstract
Background Intake of high concentration of fluoride causes health problems in human. Therefore, finding a way for removing excessive fluoride from water is among the most important tasks in water supply projects. How to remove excess fluoride from water is the objective of this project, and as a case ...
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Background Intake of high concentration of fluoride causes health problems in human. Therefore, finding a way for removing excessive fluoride from water is among the most important tasks in water supply projects. How to remove excess fluoride from water is the objective of this project, and as a case study, it was carried out with the aim of investigating the efficiency of bauxite ore in Tash mine in removing fluoride.Materials & Methods The study was performed in a laboratory scale on a synthetic sample collected from the water of Kuhbonan region in the Environmental Health Research Center of Kerman. The adsorbent was prepared from bauxite of Tash mine in Semnan Province. Bauxite analysis was carried out by X-ray fluorescence and diffraction spectrometry methods. The effects of such parameters such as pH, contact time, the adsorbent amount, and different fluoride concentrations on the removal process were investigated. The experiments were performed on real water sample under optimal conditions. To better understand the adsorption process, kinetics and isotherm of the adsorption were investigated, too. The level of fluoride was determined by SPADNS method. For data analysis, Excel software was used.Results The maximum obtained fluoride removal efficiency was 68.20% in a synthetic sample, at pH=7, contact time of 120 minutes, by using 25 g/L bauxite. This level was obtained 45.84% in the real sample under optimal conditions. Adsorption of fluoride followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm equation with a correlation coefficient of 0.991 and second-order model with a correlation coefficient of 0.985.Conclusion Without preliminary preparation, the bauxite of Tash mine can be used as an inexpensive and effective absorbent for removing fluoride from groundwater with low concentrations of fluoride.