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pISSN: 2251-6085
eISSN: 2251-6093
Chairman & Editor-in-Chief:
Dariush D. Farhud, MD, Ph.D., MG.
This journal is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of, the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). 
Vol 30 No 1-2 (2001)
Articles
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[NO ABSTRACT]
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This research, in addition to survey the existing data on the quality of Sahebgharanieh wastewater treatment plant's effluent in the previous years, by runing a three months monitoring stage, studies the conditions of the final settling and aeration basin and the variations of the influent and effluent quantity and quality in removing of major pollutants (BOD, COD, TSS), while scrutinizing the primary criteria for designing this WWTP, so that by this means; the difficulties and defects that plant is faced with will be recognized, and finally by finding the roots of these problems; appropriate methods shall be presented for upgrading and optimizing wastewater plant's operations. The outcomes of this research show that this WWTP faces enhanced hydraulic lodas, which especially at peak currents; disturbs the sludge blanket and leads to the carry-over of biological solids in to the effluent. In addition the plant lacks of wastewater disinfection facilities and numerous operational problems such as additional sludge recycling to the system, shortage of dissolved oxygen and mixing in the aeration basins. Discharging of solid loads resulting from constructional operations and the fuel leftovers in the network, is one of the other difficulties that the wastewater plant has.
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Many modern analytical methods deal with the trace-level determination of compounds of interest in highly complex environmental samples by means of chromatographic techniques. The introduction of a "clean" sample into an analytical instrument can make analyses easier and prolongs the equipment life. The use of solid-phase extraction (SPE) has grown and is a fertile technique of sample preparation as it provides better results than those produced by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The application of SPE can give selectivity of extraction providing a purified and concentrated extract. Through this study, optimization of trace enrichment and sample clean-up method via the use of bonded silica cartridges is discussed. SPE using bonded silica has been optimized with respect of sample pH, sample concentration, elution solvent strength, sample volume, and elution volume. In this investigation a variety of non-polar sorbent cartridges were also screened. During this study, the octadecyl bonded silical cartridge (C18) has proven successful in simplifying sample preparation. The present approach proved that MCPA could be retained on C18 based on specific interaction. Further study employed methanol to extract the analyte from spiked water and gave a clean sample for high pressure liquid chromatography equipped with ultra violet detection system. The optimized method was validated with three different pools of spiked samples and showed good reproducibility over six consecutive days as well as six within-day experiments.
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Slow Sand Filters are as a proper technology for pre-treatment of raw water, with a fine and medium trubidity in small communities in developing countries. Thus, with a minimum operation cost and minimum need for expest bodies have the maximum efficiency. The purpose of this research is carried out to evaluate the efficiency of two processes of horizontal flow roughing filter and vertical flow roughing filter, in order to remove the trubidity and parasite egg from water. For this purpose, two series of pilots are used, each pilot has 3 sections, which consists of granular particles of 4-25 mm. First section of each filter is filed with the granuls of 12-18 mm in diameters. Second section of each filter also contains with sand of 8-12 mm in diameters and the third section of each filter also contains with the sand of 4-8 mm in diameters. The head sections 1, 2 and 3 were 1 meter in down flow roughing filter, respectively. Samples of turbid water, which were made artificially (silty soil + water) and sample waters with different turbidities were injected into two systems and since on of the other goals of research was to study the efficiency of these filters, in removal of parasitic egg from water, therefore from the total concentrates which were prepared from parasitic eggs; such as:Ascaris, Fasicola hepatica and Trichosephal and water was added to them. These samples were finally passed through filters. The outcomes of the study, indicate that accelerating the filteration process, leads to declined efficiency of both filters. Horizontal flow roughing filters also have a higher efficiency compared with medium and fine media filters, in removing trubidities, in such manner that these filters are able to treat and refine waters with turbidities of 500-1000 NTU which vertical flow roughing filters, are only able to receive waters with turbidities up to 150 NTU.
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Susceptibility levels of a lab strain of An. Stephensi to WHO standard papers of DDT 4%, dieldrin 0.4%, malathion 5%, permethrin 0.25%, lambdacyhalothrin 0.1%, cyfluthrin 0.1% and deltamethrin 0.025% were determined in our laboratory in 1999. Results showed that at the diagnostic dose of insecticides this species exhibited resistance to DDT and dieldrin with mortality rate of 54±2.5% and 30±2.5%, respectively. Malathion 5% caused 96±1% mortality. Permethrin killed 90±2% of the populations. Alpha-cyano groups of pyrethroids, e.g., deltamethrin, cyfluthrin and lambdacyhalothrin had highest efficacy, the mortality was 99.5±0.5, 100%, and 99±0.5% respectively. The results of irritability of this species to lambdacyhalothrin, permethrin cyfluthrin and deltamethrin revealed that lambdacyhalothrin had the most and deltamethrin the least irritancy effect. The average number of take offs/fly/minutes for lambdacyhalothrin and deltamethrin were 1.699±0.35 and 0.946±0.13%, respectively. For permethrin and cyfluthrin the equivalent values were 1.52±0.2 and 1.385±0.25, respectively.
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Noise is defined as unwanted or objectionable sound. Human susceptibility to noise varies in terms of intensity, altitude, timbre of sound, personal sensibility, age, and history of ear disorder. Noise pollution which is the result of heterogeneous and uncontrolled developments of cities is one the serious problems in large cities of Iran. Although noise pollution in Kerman (located in southeast of Iran) is not as serious as that of large cities in Iran, it can be considered as one of the elements which have changed Kerman's life pattern. In this study, conducted in 1999, in order to assess noise pollution level in Kerman, 13 stations were selected and the levels of Lmax, LAV, L99, L90, L50, L10 were measured daily for 156 days. Results, in all stations, indicated that sound level in Kerman exceeds national standard level and WHO guidelines. Therefore, it is essential to take some actions in order to control Kerman noise pollution with some undesirable impacts.
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Individuals handling antineoplastic drugs or their wastes may absorb these potent genotoxic agents. The effects of handling antineoplastic drugs were examined in a group of 24 nurses working in the hematology and oncology departments of two different university hospitals in Shiraz (Iran) and in a group of 18 unexposed nurses as control group. The cytogenetic repercussions of exposure were assessed by examining sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and micronuclei (Mn) in circulating lymphocytes. A significant increased frequencies of SCE and Mn is observed in circulating lymphocytes. A significant increased frequencies of SCE and Mn is observed in nurses in daily contact with antineoplastic drugs as compared to control group.
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The aim of this sutdy is to prepare Histocompatability Y(HY) antibody in female mouse at the first phase (current study), and to separate mouse embryos with regard to their sex, to be able to obtain offsprings of disired sex, by means of HY antibody, at the second phase. Totally 421 BALB/C inbred mice were used. Antibodies were produced in females by intraperitonial injections of spleen and testis cells of neonatal male mice. The sera of females were tested by five different immunological techniques, as follows: Double gel diffusion, Counter Immunoelectrophoresis, Plain electrophoresis, Immunofluorescence and Cytotoxicity test. The first two techniques showed no positive results, but the remaining three methods proved the existence of HY antibody in sera. In electrophoresis, an increase in gamma-globulin and total globulins index, over albumin, was detected in injected mice sera. In immunofluorescence assay HY antigen was revealed on the surface of the mouse testis and spleen cells. Cytotoxicity test has been the most suitable method for detecting HY antibody. Also, the possibility to differentiate X-bearing and Y-bearing embryos could be used in prevention of X-linked diseases as well as in population control.
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The prevalence of child abuse in the world is 47 per 1000. According to the Child Protective Service agency (CPS) more than 3 million children were abused in the USA in 1998. There was 1.7% increase in comparison with 1996. The prevalence of child abuse in the USA is 15 per 1000. A crosssectional study was conducted in order to determine the frequency, and influential factors on child abuse among families in Tehran. A sample of 420 students was selected from secondary school girls in Tehran in 1999. A questionnaire was used for data collection, and the collected data were analysed through statistical tests such as X2 and other forms of descriptive tests. The findings of research showed that in terms of abnormal (unexpectedly bad) behaviour, 28% of the sample were faced quarrelsome and bitted by their fathers. The mothers' reactions for similar behaviour were more or less the same: 34.9% quarrelsome and 7% bitting. Child abuse, physically and emotionally, has had significant relation with socioeconomic status of families as well as having interaction with mentally ill or addicted person(s) among families. Mothers' employment, religious beliefs, and parents' educational attainments also demonstrated significant relations with child abuse. A statistically significant relationship has also been found between mothers' employment, addicted or mentally ill person among family members, and doubtful child sexual abuse.To prevent child abuse the following actions should be taken: Education of parents about children rights and how to treat their children. Establishment of centers to protect the children at risk. Education of young couples to take more reponsibility of having children.
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During an investigation on the endoparasites of rodents in Ahvaz, Khuzestan province, south west Iran, a total of 90 rodents including 14 Mus musculus,4 Rattus rattus and 72 R. norvegicus were trapped from different localities of Ahvaz and its suburbs, during 1998- 2000, using live traps. Examination of different tissues, identification of parasite species and serological tests were carried out in School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research. Results showed that the variation among helminth species was wide especially those which arthropods are involve in their life cycles. The most prevalent species of rodents was R. norvegicus in which Trypanosoma lewisi and Trichosomoides crassicauda were the most prevalent species of protozoan and helminth parasites, respectively. Gongylonema monigi, Streptopharagus kuntzi and Rictularia ratti from R.norvegicus and G. neoplasticum from both R.norvegicus and R. rattus are reported for the first time in Iran. Report of Physocephalus sexalatus from R.norvegicus apparently comprises an new host species in the world. The public health importance of zoonotic species are discussed.
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A research was carried out to determine the factors affecting knowledge, attitude and practice of secnodary school girls concerning Iron deficiency anemia, in Quazvin city. The study population consists of 218 Students who were randomly selected form ten secondary schools in a selected area. Aquestionnaire was prepared to collect the data and statistical tests of X2 and regression were employed to analyse the data. The results of the study indicated that 57.3 percent of students had poor knowledge, 54.1 percent unfavorable attitude and 44.5 percent weak practice on iron deficiency anemia. The results also showed that the field of education, the level of education, age, fathers' job and mothers, job had significant relation with knowleadge. There is significant relationship between knowledge and attitudes. It was found that knowledge had significant relationship with practice.
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Infertility in famale is one of the most important sequela of genital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum. In the present study the frequency of these bacteries was studied in 125 infertile female by direct and indirect immunofluorscence tests and culture method and compared with 250 normal population. Mycoplasma hominis was isolated from 32 (35.6%) of infertile females compare with 18 (7.2%) of normal population. Ureaplasma urealyticum was isolated from 41 (32.8%) of infertile females compare to 48 (19.2%) of normal population. Chlamydia trachomatis was detected by direct IF in 11 (8.8%) of infertile and 2 (0.8%) control group. The antibody titer against D-K serotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis was also measured in both groups of infertile and normal population and a positive titer of 1/16 and above was detected in 26 (20.8%) of infertile cases and in 8 (3.2%) of control group. The rate of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in case and control groups was significant (respectively P<0.0001, P<0.0001, p= 0.0018).
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The photoanthropometric method was used to study the facial features in 136 Iranian children with Down syndrome, aged 4 to 14 years. Nineteen parameters were investigated and compared to an age related control group of 100 normal Iranian children. The obtained measurements were related to reference values in the same faces. The normal range was defined by age related index values between the 20th and 80th percentile in the collective of normal Iranian children. Five parameters were considered as characteristic facial traits of Iranian children with Down syndrome by index values outside these percentiles in ≥ 50% of the studied collective: low midface; narrow and upslanted palpebral fissures ; short, and anteriorly rotated ears. Twelve parameters were considered as additional facial traits by index values outside these percentiles in ≥ 30% < 50% of the studied collective: broad inner canthal distance; prominent nose root; short nose back; everted nasal base; long nasolabial distance; forwards inclined integumental upper lip; narrow mouth fissure; high and prominent chin; high-set, narrow ears and narrow conchae. These results contribute to an objective definition of facial traits in children with Down syndrome in a homogeneous ethnic population.
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Cystic hydatid disease (Hydatidosis) is the most serious tape-worm infection prevalent in the cattle and sheep raising area of the world. Hydatidosis in man (as an accidental host) caused by infection with the ova containing larval stage of Echinococcus spp. In the last decade different techniques have been employed for the serological diagnosis of hydatid disease, such as IHA, IFA, ELISA, CCLE (Counter Current Immuno Electrophoresis). The immunologic techniques used in this study were ELISA and CCIE. Since whole hydatid cyst fluid has been used as a source of antigen for serodiagnosis of hydatidosis. The result of examination of 30 patients that were surgically and pathologically proven to have hydatidosis was presented here. By appointing 1:100 serum liter ascut-off titer and using the crude antigen (concentration: 6 mµg/ml), sensitivity and specificity of the Elisa test were reported to be 93.3% and 96.6%,respectively. The Elisa was compared with CCLE in this study; it was found to have sensivity and specificity 90% and 100%,respectively. Finally, the result of our study showed that the ELISA kit designed in our study is easy to perform, not expensive, safe, and simple with good sensivity and specifity.
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In the present study, we investigated total cell protein patterns of ten isolates of Trichophyton rubrum by SDS-PAGE on 12.5% polyacrylamide resolving gels. Twenty-two protein bands were detected with molecular weights in the range of 23.2 to 131.8 KD. Proteins of 23.2, 25.4, 26.7, 28.2, 30.2, 33.1, 34.7, 38,41.7, 47.9, 52.5, 56.2, 61.7, 67.6, 70.8, 75.9, 80, 84.1, 93.3, 102.3, 114.8, 131.8 were present but their frequencies varied among the isolates. Protein bands of 23.2, 38, 47.9, 52.5, 84.1 were common among the isolates and could be specific to recognize species differences. Protein analysis by SDS-PAGE could be considered a useful technique in identifying differences among the dermatophyte isolates.
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Dye removal from effluents of textile industries of Iran was investigated through biodegradabilitymethod and membrane technology . Basic, reactive,disperse and acidic dyes were selected, based onusage rate in Iran. The Zahen - Welenze method (ISO 9888) was applied to study the biodegradabilityof dyes. Results showed the final COD and dye removal (%R) as (%61,% 57), (%73, %76), (%25, %14),and (%32, %8) for acidic, basic, reactive and disperse dyes, respectively. Also, the ADMI value ininfluent and effluent wastewater were (4063, 1768), (271, 111), (2359, 2211) and (2073, 966), respectivelyfor 4 types of dyes. Four types of selected membranes were: (PPT) NF (MWCO= 300Da), (PWB) NF(MWCO= 600Da), (TFC) RO (MWCO=50Da) and UF (MWCO= 20KDa). Results with membranesfor maximum %R were %93, %76 and > %95, with NF300, NF600 and RO (for all types of dyes), respectively, demonstrating the high removal potential of reverse osmosis membrane.
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The fact that life styles and personal interests, aggregate within families suggests that shared environment in addition to shared bioligical factors could play a role in determining the phenotypic similarity of idividuals living in the same household. It is a major concern of cardiovascular epidemiologists to know how much of the familial aggregation of blood pressure is attributable to shared genes and/or shared family environment. Genetic and environmental influences on blood pressure was examined in a sample representative of the adult population of Shiraz, Fars province, south of Iran. The studied population was the 107 pairs of mother and dauther. Analysis of the data suggest that the genetic heritabilities were estimated to be 0.58,0.30, 0.60 for systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure, respectively.
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The genes glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and GSTT1 code for cytosolic enzymes GSTµ and GSTθ, respectively, which are involved in phase II metabolism. In human, both genes may be deleted. In the present study, the genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were detected by PCR method in 236 healthy individuals from Shiraz population, Fars province, south of Iran. The frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1-null genotypes were 37.7 and 31.8 percent, respectively. The studied population was then compared with reported frequencies for neighboring populations, as well as, with those for European and African populations.
