Effects of occupational exposure in pesticide plant on workers' serum and erythrocyte cholinesterase activity

Objectives: The determination of cholinesterase activity has been commonly applied in the biomonitoring of exposure to organophosphates and carbamates and in the diagnosis of poisoning with anticholinesterase compounds. One of the groups who are at risk of pesticide intoxication are the workers engaged in the production of these chemicals. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of pesticides on erythrocyte and serum cholinesterase activity in workers occupationally exposed to these chemicals. Methods: The subjects were 63 workers at a pesticide plant. Blood samples were collected before they were employed (phase I) and after 3 months of working in the plant (phase II). Cholinesterase level in erythrocytes (EChE) was determined using the modified Ellman method, and serum cholinesterase (SChE) by butyrylthiocholine substrate assay. Results: The mean EChE levels were 48±11 IU/g Hb in phase I and 37±17 IU/g Hb in phase II (paired t-test, mean = -29; 95% CI = -43-14), p < 0.001). The mean SChE level was 9569±2496 IU/l in phase I, and 7970±2067 IU/l in phase II (paired t-test, mean = 1599; 95% CI = 1140-2058, p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in ALT level (p < 0.001) and a decrease in serum albumin level (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In view of the significant decrease in EChE and SChE levels among pesticide workers, it seems that routine assessment of cholinesterase level in workers employed in such occupations and people handling pesticides should be made obligatory

Health concerns of Iranian adolescents: Protocol for a mixed methods study

Background: Adolescents have particular health and developmental needs that suggest they should neither be treated as older children nor younger adults. Objectives: The aim of this paper is to report the protocol for a mixed methods study that set out to investigate the health concerns of Iranian adolescents and their sources of health information with the goal of identifying suitable strategies to address their health concerns. Materials and Methods: This mixed methods study consists of an explanatory sequential design to be conducted in two phases. The first phase was a population-based cross-sectional survey of 915, 14-18 year old adolescents who were selected by stratified cluster random sampling method from the 22 main municipal sectors of Tehran, Iran. They completed a series of self-administered questionnaires which were analyzed using quantitative approaches. The second phase was a qualitative study in which adolescents were selected using purposeful sampling for individual in-depth semi-structured interviews on the basis of the quantitative findings from the first phase. These data, together with a literature review and data obtained through nominal group technique, would then be used to in the development of strategies to reduce adolescents' health concerns. Results: The findings of this mixed methods sequential explanatory study are expected to provide unique information about the health concerns of Iranian adolescents and their sources of information, which to date have received little attention. Conclusions: These data will provide a rich source of information that can be used by intervention programs, health professionals and policy makers in addressing the health concerns of adolescents, with the goal of facilitating a successful passage to adult life. © 2014, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Lipid peroxidation in the serum of hypothyroid patients (In Gorgan-South East of Caspian Sea)

This study was designed to determine if lipid peroxidation can be modified by hypothyroidism. Twenty eight subjects with hypothyroidism and 33 euthyroid subjects participated in this study (2007). Blood samples were collected and serum malondialdehyde, T3, T4 and TSH were measured. An increase in lipid peroxidation (expressed as Malondialdehyde, MDA) and TSH levels and also a decrease in T4 level were observed in the hypothyroid patients when compared with control groups (p<0.001). The level of T3 was not changed when compared with control groups. The results shows that hypothyroidism may not modulate the free-radical-induced oxidative damage and that hypothyroidism may not present some protection against lipid peroxidation. Thus, the enhancedlipid peroxidation may play a role in the free-radical-induced oxidative damage of some tissues in hypothyroidism. These may show that there is an important relation between hypothyroidism and lipid peroxidation. © 2008 Academic Journals Inc

Serum cholinesterase level reduction in pesticide factory workers

In this study the sampling from 63 subjects was carried out for two sessions in days 1 and 90. Cholinesterase determination was performed with butyrylthiocholine substrate and enzymatic test was done using kinetic techniques. The mean serum cholinesterase level in phase 1 was 9569±2496 IU L-1 and in second phase the activity of cholinesterase was 7970±2067 IU L-1. This drop in cholinesterase level statistically was meaningful (paired t-test, mean = 1599, 95% CI = 1140-2058, p&lt;0.001). ALT increase in second phase compared to first phase statistically was meaningful (Paired t-test, mean = -7.9, 95% CI = -10.9 -4.9, p&lt;0.001). In this study eight subjects (12.7%) bad more than 35% reduction in cholinesterase activity. In regard to reduction in cholinesterase activity of 17 workers which include 27% of working personals in a three months period it seems logical to set a program to have a routine check on the cholinesterase activity in working personal engaging in such occupations

Epidemiology of Shigella-Associated diarrhea in Gorgan, north of Iran

Objective : Shigella is an important etiological agent for diarrhea and especially dysentery. Shigellosis is an intestinal infection that is a major public health problem in many developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Shigella and its various species in diarrheal samples in Gorgan located in the north of Iran. Materials and Methods: Between January-December 2005, the epidemiology of Shigella- associated diarrhea was studied among 634 patients in Gorgan. The diarrheal samples accompanied with a questionnaire, which contained the demographic and main symptoms of the patients, were transported to the laboratory and inoculated in different culture media. Colonies suspected to be of Shigella were detected using differential biochemical tests and subsequently, the serotype of Shigella was defined using antisera. Results : Shigella was isolated from 56/634 diarrheal samples) (8.8%) of which S. sonnei was the predominant species (55%). Occurrence of Schigella was highest in the 2-5 years′ age group (70.9%) and highest in summer (73.2%) with the most frequent clinical manifestation being abdominal pain (67.8%). The prevalence of Shigella in males and females was 8 and 9.8% respectively, but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: It has been shown that Shigella sonnei is the most common Shigella serogroup among 2-5 year-old children in Gorgan. It is therefore suggested that hygienic training be given to childcare attendants and the children themselves

The comparison of acute myocardial infarction serum anticardiolipin antibody with healthy subjects, in Gorgan (northern Iran)

Arthrosclerosis considered one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in industrial and developing countries. The rate of myocardial infarction in some countries is about 2 million annually with 1/4 of them is leading to death. This study was a case-control research, which was carried out as cross-sectional project in two groups, healthy and case subjects. The mean age and standard deviation of patients and control groups were nearly equal (55±10). The ELISA technique was applied to measure the serum antibody level. The sample populations in each group were exactly the same (120 person in each group). The gender distribution in case and control group was 44 female, 76 male and 45 female and 75 male, respectively. The Mean±SD of IgM in case group and control groups were 3.10± 2.54 and 1.54±1.00, respectively. TheMeantSD forlgG incase and control groups were 5.90±3.84 and 3.08±1.95, respectively. The differences, between the mean of IgM and IgG in two groups of cases and control statistically were significant (p = 0.0001). In case group the Meani±SD for IgM for men and woman were 2.98±1.97 and 3.17±2.83, respectively, which this differences statistically, were not significant. In case group the Meant±SD forlg G were 5.14±3.45 and 6.35. The above findings indicated that the average of both IgG and IgM are higher among men compared to women. Due to high prevalence of acute coronary syndrome in Iran, the determination of anticardiolipin antibody (IgG) are applied for suspected acute coronary syndrome patients and further prevention measure should be taken for patient with higher serum anticardiolipin antibody. © 2013 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Effects of stocking density on survival and growth indices of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The effects of social interactions on survival, growth indices and competitive behavior of common cam (Cyprinus carpio) at four stocking densities (350, 400, 450 and 500 fish per hectare) were investigated. A poly-culture of Chinese carps was implemented for 7 months in 12 Culture ponds each 10 hectares in size at Dikjeh area, Golestan province of Iran. Monthly biometrical characteristics such as total length, weight, and condition factor and growth rate were measured. The introduced common carp weighing on average 45g reached 705g after 7 months. With increase in common can) density up to 450 fish per hectare, growth indices including secondary weight, growth rate, SGR and fish biomass showed no significant differences (P>0.05), whereas 500 common carp individuals per hectare caused secondary weight, growth rate and SGR indices decrease significantly (P<0.05). At this density, fish biomass showed significant increase (P<0.05). Based on the results of this study, we conclude that common carp can be successfully cultured up to a density of 450 fish per hectare

Age related prostate-specific antigen reference range among men in South-East Caspian Sea

The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and to determine age-specific reference range in a population of Persian men. Venous blood samples were taken from 287 men, from Gorgan located in the North of Iran, South-East of Caspian Sea, aged 15 ≥ 80 year. The serum PSA levels was measured using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbant-Assay (ELISA) technique and age-specific range for PSA level was determined. The serum prostate-specific antigen level for six age group of 15-40 years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years, 61-70 years, 71-80 years and >80 years were mainly in the range of 0-2.5 ng mL-1, for 76.6%, 2.6-4 ng mL-1 for 9.1% and as whole 85.7% of all men in this study had ≤4 ng mL-1, 8.7 and 5.6% all men of six age group had PSA level of 4.1-10 ng mL-1 and >10 ng mL-1, respectively. The findings of present study indicated that a large proportion (76.6%) men in this region have a lower PSA level of 0-2.5 ng mL-1 and only 9.1% of men have PSA level of 2.6-4 ng mL-1. It is therefore concluded that acceptable reference range of 0-4 ng mL-1 for PSA level require further reassessment. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Detection of the efflux-mediated erythromycin resistance transposon in streptococcus pneumoniae

Background: The present analysis focuses on phenotypic and genotypic characterizations of efflux-mediated erythromycin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae due to an increase in macrolide resistance in S. pneumoniae worldwide. Methods: We investigated the prevalence of efflux-mediated erythromycin resistance and its relevant genetic elements from 186 specimens of S. pneumonia isolated from clinical and normal flora from Tehran, Iran. The presence of erythromycin resistance genes was tested by PCR with two sets of primers, specific for erm(B) and mef(A/E), and their genetic elements with tetM, xis, and int genes. Isolates were typed with the BOX PCR method and tested for resistance to six antibiotics. Results: Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed that 100 and 47 isolates were resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin, respectively. The erythromycin and clindamycin double-disc diffusion test for macrolide-lincosamide-streptograminB (MLSB) resistance phenotype showed 74 (84) isolates with the constitutive MLSB phenotype and the remaining with the M phenotype. BOX PCR demonstrated the presence of 7 types in pneumococci with the M phenotype. Fourteen (16) isolates with the M phenotype harbored mef(A/E), tetM, xis, and int genes. Conclusion: The present results suggest dissemination of polyclonal groups of S. pneumoniae with the M phenotype carrying resistance genes attributed to transposon 2009. © The Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine

Prevalence of HTLV-1 antibody among major thalassemic patients in Gorgan (South East of Caspian Sea)

In this study, the prevalence of HTLV-1 infection among the thalassemic patients was investigated. 181 thalassemiC patients whom referred to Talghani hospital during, Oct. 2004-Sep. 2005 were participated in this study. HTLV antibody was determined using ELISA technique. In this procedure (Diapron laboratory kit) HTLV, positive samples tested by HTLV-1 western blot (kit 2.4) to confirm, ELISA positive samples and also to detect the HTLV types, From 181 thalassemic patients, 93 (51.4%) were males. The age rate of these ranged 1-25 years, (mean of 14.11±6.5). Of these subjects 169 patients (93.4%) were received packet cell at least one unite per month 28(14.9%) of subjects were HTLV positive, while only 4.4% of them were confirmed by western blot and also for contamination with type-1 virus infection. Contamination with this virus increased, as the patients were getting older. The findings derived from this study indicated that among the thalassemic patients in Gorgan there were cases with HTLV-1, infection that was correlated with the other part of the country. It is therefore concluded, that further comprehensive studies are required to identify infected blood donations by blood donors in Gorgan. © 2008 Asian Network for Scientific Information