An investigation on fish parasites in Hanna Wetland, Semirom, Isfahan Province

As a part of a major ecological study of Hanna Wetland, Semirum Region, Isfahan Province, parasitic infestation of 3 native and one introduced fish species were investigated. A total of 120 fish specimens were collected by both cast net and a series of gillnets between fall and winter 2007, and spring and summer 2008. Some of the observed parasites are reported for the first time as new host records of: Trichodina perforata on gill and skin of Carassius auratus auratus and three species of leeches namely: Glossiphonia heteroclite, Thromyzon tessulatum and Hemiclepsis marginata on the skin and fin bases of Capoeta damascina. Moreover, 14 internal and external parasites including: one protozoan; Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and two myxosporeans; Myxobolus varicorhini, Myxobolus sp., three monogeneans; Dactylogyrus lenkoran, Dactylogyrus intermedius and Gyrodactylus sp., two immature digeneans; Diplostomum spathaceum, Tylodephys sp., two mature digeneans; Allocreadium isoporum and A. layman, one unknown cyst, one Acanthocephalan; Acanthocephalorhynchoides sp., one cestoda; Khawia armeniaca. The highest prevalence of Diplostomum spathaceum (100%) was observed in Aphanius isfahanensis and Alburnus sp. However, the lowest prevalence was related to A. layman in Capoeta damascina in winter (0%), and autumn and spring (11%). Leeches infections were only observed in Capoeta damascina and Alburnus sp. in winter and summer, respectively. The maximum average (±SD) infection intensity belonged to K. armeniaca in intestine of C. damascina in spring (12.50±3.40, range: 8-16). Among the parasites identified in the region, D. spathaceum showed the highest mean (±SD) abundance (41.67±11.79) in C. auratus auratus in spring. In general, a relatively high diversity of fish parasitic fauna exists in this water body which could jeopardize fish populations and the whole ecosystem if the ecological status of the Hanna Wetland is neglected

Histopathological effects of cadmium chloride on liver and gill of Chondrostoma regium

Aquatic environments received huge amount of pollutants such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides and organic materials every day. In this study, the effect of dissolved cadmium chloride on liver and gill in Chondrostoma regium was investigated. For this purpose, one hundred fishes were caught by sein net from one of the branches of Zayandeh Roud and transferred to the laboratory. The experiments consist of four treatments including: control group (without cadmium), 0.5, 2.5 and 7.5 µg/l cadmium concentrations. For histopathological studies liver and gill were performed at the end of experiment the samples were fixed in 10% formalin.The highest rate of cadmium concentration was observed in gill at 7.5 µg/l of cadmium equivalent. Hyperplasia, clubbing and fusion were the main gill histopathological changes. Congestion, nuclear psychosis and necrosis were the main liver histopathological signs. Intensity of gill and liver damages showed increased trend in a dose dependent manner

Perceived Social Support among Hospital Personnel and its Influential factors: A case study

Background and aims   Increasing productivity in an organization requires providing various conditions; important of all is human factor. Social support is known as a psychological factor in workplace that effect on productivity of human factor. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of perceived social support among hospital personnel.   Methods In order to do this research 120 of employees of a selected hospital in Isfahan were surveyed using a self-report questionnaire. A convenience sampling method was used to select the samples. The questionnaire measured demographic information of employees and their perceived social support by coworkers and managers. The questionnaire was validated using the experts' judgment. A Chi - Square test was used to test the relationship between the demographic information and the perceived social support.   Results The findings indicated that the employees' perceived social support by coworkers (with the mean of 3.34 ± 0.48 on scale of 1-5) was higher than the perceived social support by managers (with mean of 3.19 ± 0.4). The Chi-Square test also showed a significant relationship between perceived social support and age and work experience of the employees (p<0.01).   Conclusion The employees perceived social support by managers is not at the ideal level in the investigated hospital and for increasing the productivity level in this organization it is necessary that managers to take new policies under consideration. Meanwhile establishing a stronger relationship with employees can potentially increase the employees' efficiency

Investigating the relationship between demographic and occupational factors with the intensity of nurse legs varicose veins in Amol hospitals

Background and aims   varicose of lower limbs is one of the most common injuries which is caused and intensified by the job activities through passing the time and can cause the person and the society to bear the high cost. This study has been done in order to investigate the relationship between the demographic and occupational factors with the lower limb varicose severity of the   nurses in Amol hospital.     Methods   This cross-sectional study was conducted through on 203 nurses in Amol hospitals. Questionnaire was used to collect the required information. It was completed through interview and physical examination based on the standard CEAP forms.     Results   145 of the subjects were female. 73.9% of the nurses had varicose with different levels  (CI95%: 77- 65). Female gender, age, BMI (OR =1.21), regular exercise (OR =0.31), family history, weight, and overtime between job factors (OR =1.01), years of service, standing (OR  =2.3) and sitting in the ward had significant relationship with the varicose intensity.     Conclusion   It seems that the necessary training to reduce disability and treatment expenses to adjust risk factors and prevention of inducing varicose is essential according to the high number of the nurses who have lower varicose veins with different intensities and the effect of lots of demographic and occupational factors.

Evaluation of antibacterial activity and flavonoid content of two capparis species from Iran

Background: Due to multiple drug resistance against antimicrobial drugs for treatment of infectious disease, investigations to discovering new antibacterial compounds from natural sources have been designated. Objective: According to antimicrobial effects of some Capparis species, this study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extract and fractions of Capparis cartilaginea and Capparis mucronifolia against 6 bacterial strains. Methods: Aerial parts of the Capparis species were extracted by maceration method using methanol and fractionated separately by liquid-liquid fractionation method. The antibacterial activity of the extract and fractions were studied against 6 bacterial strains using MIC microplate method. Total flavonoid content (TFC) of the extracts and fractions was determined using AlCl3 reagent. Results: The total extract and methanolic fractions of C. mucronifolia were the most effective fractions against the bacterial strains. Methanolic fraction of C. cartilaginea was the most effective fraction with MIC 10.42 μg/ml against Salmonella enterica. The highest antibacterial activity of C.mucronifolia was against Staphylococcus epidermidis with MIC 7.8 μg/ml. Methanolic fractions of Capparis species showed the highest TFC value in AlCl3 colorimetric assay. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the extracts and fractions of Capparis cartilaginea and Capparis mucronifolia have antimicrobial effect against 6 gram positive and gram negative strains. According to the high amount of flavonoids in methanolic fraction of C. mucronifolia, the antibacterial activity may be related to the flavonoid compounds of this plant