A comparative study on growth indicators of children born with low birth weight and normal birth weight in 2 years after birth.

Low birth weight ( LBW, Birth Weight<2500g) is a significant health problem of children. Many studies have made it apparent that there is a direct relationship between low birth weight and infant motality. One of the most important measurements to prevent children morbidity is growth monitoring and the present study was set up to compare the growth Indexes of 2 year old children born with low weight with those weighting 2500 g and more at birth ( mormal birth weight, NBW). This research is a retrospective cohort study and the samples include 218 two year old infants (109 LBW infants, 109 NBW infants). Selection criteria for the LBW and NBW infants were factors such as having birth weight < 2500 gr in LBW group and 2500 –4000 in NBW group, absence of congenital anomalies , born from singleton pregnancies etc. Needed data were collected in questionnaires by researcher and for this purpose the measurements of children weight , height and head circumference at ages in 2 years after birth that had been recorded in their health files were used. Statistical analysis was carried out with help of t-test and X test. Our findings revealed that the group of LBW children had a statistically significant lower body weight , shorter height, smaller head circumferences and lower weight – for- age, height –for –age and weight- for – height indexes in two year children than the group of NBW children. Moreover, the weight percentile of LBW children at 2 years of age was lower than one in the NBW group . The data suggest that low birth weight adversely affects on child’s growth in early life. Therefore , LBW infants require special considerations about growth follow up and monitoring after birth

Removal of E.coli and S. aureus from aqueous solution by using electrocoagulation/ electroflotation process

Background and aims: Electrocoagulation is an electrochemical method for the treatment of water and waste water. Water disinfection by electrochemical methods has been increasingly carried out recently. The aim of this applied research is to investigate the removal of E. coli and S. aureus bacteria from drinking water by using Electrocoagulation (EC) - Electroflotation (EF) with Stainless Steel - Graphite felt electrodes parallel with the monopole mode. Methods: An experimental study was conducted in a batch system. In this study, the contaminated water samples were prepared by adding104, 105 and 106 CFU/ml E. coli and S. aureus. Independent variables Including: different concentrations of E.coli and S. aureus bacteria (104, 105 and 106 CFU/ml), reaction time (5, 10, 15 and 20 min), initial pH (7, 8 and 9), electrode gap (1, 2 and 3 cm), current density (0.83, 1.67 and 3.3 mA/cm2) to determine the optimum conditions were investigated. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the results. Results: The results show that in the optimum conditions with increasing the pH from 7 to 9 removal efficiency of bacterial strains of E.coli and S. aureus were decreased significantly from 100% to 80% and 100% to 83%, respectively. In initial concentration of 105 CFU/ml, optimum conditions were obtained for current density, reaction time and electrodes gap; 3.3 mA/cm2, 20 min and 2 cm, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, E.coli and S. aureus removal efficiency in optimum conditions was obtained, 100%. Thus, the EC/EF process can be used for removal of pathogenic bacteria from drinking water

Effects of the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill on the Quality of Water Resources in Khalkhal: A Case Study

Transmission of leachate from municipal solid waste landfills can potentially threaten ecosystems and human societies when the landfill has no system for collecting and treating leachate. Leachate produced from landfills finds its way through the soil to groundwater and surrounding surface waters, leading to pollution of water resources. This study aimed to investigate the effects of leachate from Khalkhal landfill (a city in Ardabil province, northwestern Iran) on the quality of groundwater and surrounding surface water. During 2019-2020, 4 wells (one control well located upstream of the landfill and three wells located downstream of the landfill) and two stations of the surface water resource of the Herochai river were spots for sampling. First, we did sampling during high and low rainfall seasons in accordance with the standards. Second, we analyzed the values of some physical, chemical, and biological quality parameters according to standard methods. The sampling of the soil texture was conducted following ASTM D 422 standards. Then, the soil was analyzed at Reference Laboratory of Water, Soil, and Plant in Ardabil province. The value of most parameters measured in the water of downstream wells was lower than the limit recommended by the Iranian and World Health Organization, indicating no limitation for drinking and agricultural uses. The quality of the Herochai river water was also relatively undesirable in terms of turbidity and total coliform in some samples. Additionally, consistent with the study results, no difference was observed between high and low rainfall seasons. According to the results obtained from different parameters, Schuler and Wilcox diagrams, and landfill water pollution index (LWPI), the quality of upstream and downstream water resources of Khalkhal municipal solid waste landfill was not much different. In other words, the landfill did not affect water

Global, regional, and national progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 for neonatal and child health: all-cause and cause-specific mortality findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 has targeted elimination of preventable child mortality, reduction of neonatal death to less than 12 per 1000 livebirths, and reduction of death of children younger than 5 years to less than 25 per 1000 livebirths, for each country by 2030. To understand current rates, recent trends, and potential trajectories of child mortality for the next decade, we present the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 findings for all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality in children younger than 5 years of age, with multiple scenarios for child mortality in 2030 that include the consideration of potential effects of COVID-19, and a novel framework for quantifying optimal child survival. Methods We completed all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality analyses from 204 countries and territories for detailed age groups separately, with aggregated mortality probabilities per 1000 livebirths computed for neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and under-5 mortality rate (USMR). Scenarios for 2030 represent different potential trajectories, notably including potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential impact of improvements preferentially targeting neonatal survival. Optimal child survival metrics were developed by age, sex, and cause of death across all GBD location-years. The first metric is a global optimum and is based on the lowest observed mortality, and the second is a survival potential frontier that is based on stochastic frontier analysis of observed mortality and Healthcare Access and Quality Index. Findings Global U5MR decreased from 71.2 deaths per 1000 livebirths (95% uncertainty interval WI] 68.3-74-0) in 2000 to 37.1 (33.2-41.7) in 2019 while global NMR correspondingly declined more slowly from 28.0 deaths per 1000 live births (26.8-29-5) in 2000 to 17.9 (16.3-19-8) in 2019. In 2019,136 (67%) of 204 countries had a USMR at or below the SDG 3.2 threshold and 133 (65%) had an NMR at or below the SDG 3.2 threshold, and the reference scenario suggests that by 2030,154 (75%) of all countries could meet the U5MR targets, and 139 (68%) could meet the NMR targets. Deaths of children younger than 5 years totalled 9.65 million (95% UI 9.05-10.30) in 2000 and 5.05 million (4.27-6.02) in 2019, with the neonatal fraction of these deaths increasing from 39% (3.76 million 95% UI 3.53-4.021) in 2000 to 48% (2.42 million; 2.06-2.86) in 2019. NMR and U5MR were generally higher in males than in females, although there was no statistically significant difference at the global level. Neonatal disorders remained the leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years in 2019, followed by lower respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, congenital birth defects, and malaria. The global optimum analysis suggests NMR could be reduced to as low as 0.80 (95% UI 0.71-0.86) deaths per 1000 livebirths and U5MR to 1.44 (95% UI 1-27-1.58) deaths per 1000 livebirths, and in 2019, there were as many as 1.87 million (95% UI 1-35-2.58; 37% 95% UI 32-43]) of 5.05 million more deaths of children younger than 5 years than the survival potential frontier. Interpretation Global child mortality declined by almost half between 2000 and 2019, but progress remains slower in neonates and 65 (32%) of 204 countries, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, are not on track to meet either SDG 3.2 target by 2030. Focused improvements in perinatal and newborn care, continued and expanded delivery of essential interventions such as vaccination and infection prevention, an enhanced focus on equity, continued focus on poverty reduction and education, and investment in strengthening health systems across the development spectrum have the potential to substantially improve USMR. Given the widespread effects of COVID-19, considerable effort will be required to maintain and accelerate progress. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd

Consumers’ Awareness, Demands and Preferences for Organic Vegetables: A Survey Study in Shiraz, Iran

Some Iranian vegetable producers use a lot of chemicals, but not in a safe way or at the optimum level. There are several reports about chemical residues in vegetables that have serious side effects on human health and the environment in that country. On other hand, many Iranian farmers traditionally use organic production practices, but organic cultivation in Iran is not in accordance with international regulations. Since vegetables are the most important category of organic products, and since the future of organic agriculture will largely depend on consumer demand, a survey of 470 respondents was performed in Shiraz regarding their level of awareness about organic vegetables, their tendency to consume of organic vegetables, the effect of proper appearance of vegetables on the tendency to purchase organic vegetables and the importance of the organic label and certification of organic vegetables. Results showed that about half of the respondents have knowledge of organic vegetables and that their tendency to consume organic vegetable is very high. The results also showed that proper appearance does not effect the tendency to purchase organic vegetables, and that almost all consumers prefer to purchase organic vegetables labelled as certfied. It is suggested that organic vegetable production be introduced and supported by the Iranian government

Presurgical Orthodontics in Class III Patients: Extraction versus Non-Extraction

Introduction: Matching dental discrepancy (DD) with skeletal discrepancy (SD) in pre-surgical orthodontic preparation is crucial for obtaining a desirable surgical outcomes. The aim of the present study was to compare DD to SD in class III patients with and without extraction of the maxillary second premolars. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study assessed subjects in two groups: the 1st group included individuals who were afflicted by class III skeletal and underwent non-extraction orthodontic treatment prior to the surgery; the 2nd group, included: patients who suffered from class III skeletal malocclusion and underwent tooth-extraction orthodontic treatment prior to the surgery. The Wits analysis was applied to establish the apical base relationship between the maxillary and the mandibular arches as measured along the Jacobson occlusal plane. Two angles were applied to determine the upper and lower incisors position to the skeletal base: IMPA (the lower incisor teeth to the mandibular plane) and the upper 1 to SN. The horizontal distance between the upper and lower incisors+2 mm was considered as the dental discrepancy. Results: Forty-six individuals were studied in the 1st group and 31 patients included in the 2nd group. The mean for DD was 7.39±3.40 mm in the 1st group and 9.65±2.57 mm in the 2nd group. The mean was 11.59±4.9 mm in group 1 and 8.48±2.35 mm in group 2. Pearson’s correlation did not show any significant correlation between dental discrepancy and the skeletal discrepancy in the 1st group (P˃0.05). A positive correlation was obtained between dental discrepancy and the skeletal discrepancy in the 2nd group (P˂0.001). Conclusion: It was magnificently attained that extraction of the second premolars of the maxilla could be a better match for DD and SD in the pre-surgical preparation in class III patients with an excessive SD

Association between Metabolic Syndrome Criteria and Body-composition Components in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background Metabolic syndrome (MES) consists of central obesity, hypertension, reduced high density lipoprotein (HDL), elevated serum triglycerides and high Fasting blood sugar (FBS). They are susceptible to cardio-vascular disease, and insulin resistance. The goal of present research was to assess any relation between the composition of the body in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) children and having components of metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods This cross sectional study included all T1DM children who were referred to the pediatric clinic of diabetes, affiliated to the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran during Jul 2013 to Aug 2014. Anthropometric data, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipids and body mass indices like android and gynoid fat mass was done by one physician with standard scale and techniques. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS-18. Results Overall 87cases with definite diagnosis of T1DM were admitted in this duration (2013-2014).There was a positive correlation appeared between hypertriglyceridemia and Android fat mass (r=0.1 and P =0.046).  Otherwise, there wasn’t any relation between body composition criteria and the reduced HDL level, high blood pressure, Abdominal obesity and elevated FBS (P>0.05) . Conclusion It was revealed that hypertriglyceridemia was associated with Android fat mass. However, more pathophysiological research is needed to reveal the association of MES components and body-composition in T1DM children

Investigating the Association of Cord Blood Resistin and Birth Weight in Term and Preterm Neonates

BackgroundResistin is reported as an antagonistic hormone of insulin and in the literature. Nowadays, importance of resistin is being more highlighted in the metabolism of mother and fetus during pregnancy. This study aimed to assess the level of resistin in the umbilical cord and blood sugar at birth and evaluate the association of resistin and neonatal birth weight.Materials and MethodsThis case-control study included 80 term and 80 preterm neonates. 5ml blood sample for measurement of resistin and glucose was obtained from cord blood. Neonatal birth weight was measured by standard method. Association of resistin and neonatal birth weight was evaluated.ResultsCord blood resistin was 27.1 ± 32.2 and 21.9±9.8 ng/ml in preterm and term neonates, respectively. There was not a significant differences between Resistin and birth weight (P>0.05). Blood sugar was 78.1 ± 23.6 and 79.5±19.8 mg/dl in preterm and term neonates, respectively. Cord blood Resistin and blood sugar did not differ in term and preterm neonates (P =0.158 and P= 0.165, respectively).ConclusionThe present study did not reveal any significant differences in resistin level between the term and preterm neonates. Blood glucose was nearly the same in both groups, and resistin did not show any significant correlation with birth weight

Particularly neglected in countries with other challenges: High Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in pregnant women in Kabul, Afghanistan, while a low proportion know about the parasite.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease of global importance. It is widespread and endemic practically all over the world, with infection prevalence varying by geographic location. The parasite and the disease are neglected, which is illustrated by the lack of baseline information on the prevalence from many regions. Developed, peaceful regions are in better situation to address toxoplasmosis, while the neglected status is particularly pronounced in regions with other challenges. Due to the lack of baseline data, these regions are rarely mentioned in discussions about the neglected status of the disease. A dramatic manifestation of toxoplasmosis, congenital toxoplasmosis, is the dreaded outcome of vertical transmission of the infection from the mother to the unborn child. For this reason, pregnant women are a key target group for primary prevention of T. gondii infections, and baseline data on the prevalence in pregnant women is important. In this cross-sectional seroepidemiological study, we estimated Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and evaluated possible risk factors for seropositivity in pregnant women in Kabul, Afghanistan. Altogether 207 of the 431 women included in the study tested positive for immunoglobulin G antibodies against T. gondii, yielding an apparent seroprevalence estimate of 48.03% (95% CI 43.33-52.75). Based on the final multivariable model for T. gondii seropositivity, non-concrete floor in the house and well or river as water source were identified as risk factors for seropositivity, while residence in rural area was a protective factor. The majority of the participants (72.9%) reported that they did not know about T. gondii. Our study is the first to report an estimate of T. gondii seroprevalence in pregnant women in Afghanistan. The high seroprevalence indicates substantial infection pressure, and the results of the risk factor analysis suggest that the environmental route, infection from oocysts, might be the most relevant to address to prevent the infections in the region. Our results contribute to the global discussion on neglected status of toxoplasmosis