Efficacy of Sodium Bentonite, Esterified Glucomannan and Humic Acid to counteract the effects of Aflatoxicosis on renal pathological changes and serum biochemical parameters in Broilers

This study was conducted to evaluate the renal pathological changes and serum biochemical parameters in broilers fed a diet containing low-levels (254 ppb) of aflatoxin (AF) and adsorbents until 35 days of age. Seven-day-old male broilers were randomly assigned to one of the nine dietary treatments with four replicates of 12 chicks each. Treatments were: 1) control; 2) naturally AF contaminated diet (NCD); 3,4,5,6 and 7) NCD supplemented with 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1%, humic acid (HA) respectively; 8 and 9) NCD supplemented with 0.5% sodium bentonite (SB) and 0.1% esterified glucomannan (E-GM), respectively. Blood samples were taken on the 35th day of the study and the phosphorus, calcium, urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels in serum were analyzed. When the chicks reached 35 days of age, the feeding trial was terminated and 12 broilers from each treatment were selected at random and were killed for pathological examination. Microscopically, the kidney in chickens fed diet containing 254ppb AF showed significant lesions, compared to control. At the end of the study, it was determined that aflatoxin caused a decrease in BUN and an increase in phosphorous levels. The addition of HA and E-GM to NCD decreased both the alterations of serum biochemical parameters and the severity of lesions in the kidney. These results clearly demonstrated that histological lesions and serum biochemical changes were observed in chickens fed a diet containing 254ppb AF and that addition of dietary E-GM and HA is effective in counteracting the toxic effects of naturally contaminated feed with mycotoxins

Effects of respiratory exercises on pulmonary function of chemically afflicted soldiers in Khoramabad

BackgroundFollowing an extensive use of chemical weapons in imposed war of Iran, many known and unknown complications in different body systems particularly respiratory tract have been reported. To treat pulmonary complication of afflicted soldiers, different measures such as drug as well as oxygen therapy and rehabilitation are performed. Purpose This clinical trial was conducted to identify the effects of respiratory exercises (pursed lip and diaphragmatic breathing) on pulmonary function of chemically afflicted soldiers in Khoramabad in 2002.  Methods68 soldiers with respiratory problems were randomly selected and divided in two experimental and control groups. They were matched in terms of age, body mass index, chemical gas type, duration of contact, number of hospitalization, type of cough, forced vital capacity indices, forced expiratory volume in 1 second and ….  Spirometry was used to monitor pulmonary function. The experimental group performed the exercises 15 minutes a day over 10 days. The indices were measured again after 10 days. A questionnaire, an assessment form for dyspnea severity and a special form for classifying the result of pulmonary function tests (PFT) were used for data collection.  ResultsFindings showed a significant difference between the means of PFTs before and after the intervention in the experimental group and no difference in the control group. A significant difference was also found in the mean percentage of dyspnea severity reduction between the two groups before and after the intervention (P=0.000). ConclusionAccording to the results, pursed lip as well as diaphragmatic breathing would improve pulmonary function indices in spirometry and dyspnea severity would significantly decrease, which is similar to other studies.  KeywordsPulmonary exercise, Pursed lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, Pulmonary function, chemically afflicted soldier

Assessment of Welders Exposure to Carcinogen Metals from Manual Metal Arc Welding in Gas Transmission Pipelines, Iran

Background: Welding can produce dangerous fumes containing various metals especially carcinogenic ones. Occupational exposure to welding fumes is associated with lung cancer. Therefore, welders in Gas Transmission Pipelines are known as a high-risk group. This study was designed to determinate the amounts of metals Cr, Ni, and Cd in breathing zone and urine of welders and to assess the possibility of introducing urinary metals as a biomarker due to occupational exposure.Methods: In this cross sectional study, 94 individuals from Gas Transmission Pipelines welders, Iran, Borujen in 2011 were selected and classified into 3 groups including Welders, Back Welders and Assistances. The sampling procedures were performed according to NIOSH 7300 for total chromium, nickel, and cadmium and NIOSH 7600 for Cr+6. For all participants urine samples were collected during the entire work shift and metals in urine were determined according to NIOSH 8310.Results: Back Welders and Assistances groups had maximum and minimum exposure to total fume and its elements, respectively. In addition, results showed that there are significant differences (P<0.05) between Welders and Back Welders with Assistances group in exposure with total fume and elements except Ni. Urinary concentrations of three metals including Cr, Cd and Ni among all welders were about 4.5, 12 and 14-fold greater than those detected in controls, respectively. Weak correlations were found between airborne and urinary metals concentrations (R2: Cr=0.45, Cd=0.298, Ni=0.362). Conclusion: Urinary metals concentrations could not be considerate as a biomarker for welders' exposure assessment

Occupational exposure to manganese-containing welding fumes and pulmonary function indices among natural gas transmission pipeline welders

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate manganese (Mn)-containing welding fumes' exposure, assess urinary Mn as a biomarker for Mn exposure and investigate the correlation of Mn in air, total fumes and urinary Mn with pulmonary function indices in 118 welders and 37 unexposed controls from two regions in Iran, Assaluyeh and Borujen. Methods: Air samples were collected on mixed cellulose ester membrane filters in personal air samplers and then analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) (NIOSH Method 7300). For all participants, urine samples were collected during the entire work shift, and Mn in urine was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy according to NIOSH Method 8310. Spirometric measurements were also done for participants. Results: The maximum exposures to airborne Mn and total fumes were 0. 304 ± 0. 256 mg/m3 and 21.52 ± 9.40 mg/m3, respectively. The urine Mn levels in the various groups ranged between 0.77 to 7.58 μg/l. The correlation between airborne Mn and urinary Mn was significant for total whole participants. Some values of spirometric indices were statistically lower in welders rather than controls. Conclusions: Our results indicate that many welders have been exposed to higher concentrations of Mn-containing welding fumes. Urinary Mn can be used as a biomarker for Mn exposure. There were weak inverse correlations between Mn-containing welding fumes and pulmonary function indices, and the inverse correlation between urinary Mn with forced vital capacities (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was significant

Occupational exposure to manganese-containing welding fumes and pulmonary function indices among natural gas transmission pipeline welders

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate manganese (Mn)-containing welding fumes' exposure, assess urinary Mn as a biomarker for Mn exposure and investigate the correlation of Mn in air, total fumes and urinary Mn with pulmonary function indices in 118 welders and 37 unexposed controls from two regions in Iran, Assaluyeh and Borujen. Methods: Air samples were collected on mixed cellulose ester membrane filters in personal air samplers and then analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) (NIOSH Method 7300). For all participants, urine samples were collected during the entire work shift, and Mn in urine was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy according to NIOSH Method 8310. Spirometric measurements were also done for participants. Results: The maximum exposures to airborne Mn and total fumes were 0. 304 ± 0. 256 mg/m3 and 21.52 ± 9.40 mg/m3, respectively. The urine Mn levels in the various groups ranged between 0.77 to 7.58 μg/l. The correlation between airborne Mn and urinary Mn was significant for total whole participants. Some values of spirometric indices were statistically lower in welders rather than controls. Conclusions: Our results indicate that many welders have been exposed to higher concentrations of Mn-containing welding fumes. Urinary Mn can be used as a biomarker for Mn exposure. There were weak inverse correlations between Mn-containing welding fumes and pulmonary function indices, and the inverse correlation between urinary Mn with forced vital capacities (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was significant