The Concentration of Mercury, Cadmium and Lead in Muscular Tissue of Fishes in Khersan River

Background: Aquatic ecosystems including fish in rivers may be widely contaminated by heavy metals released into waters from industrial, agricultural and other human activities.This study aimed to investigate the level of contamination of theses heavy metals (mercury, cadmium and lead) in fish caught in Khersan river, the largest tributary of Karun river. Methods: The heavy metals level of mercury, cadmium and lead was investigated by atomic absorption spectrometry using Perkin Elmer 4100ZL in rainbow trout, pike and common carp species caught in Khersan river. Results: The average concentration of mercury, cadmium and lead in muscular tissue of trout, pike and common carp in all three breeding areas were (0.023,0.110, 1.12), (0.026, 0.162, 1.34) and (0.027, 0.155, 1.45) mg/kg, respectively and only lead metal was more than the level determined by the World Health Organization and European Commission regulations. The concentration of cadmium and lead in muscular tissue of caught fishes indicated an inverse and significant relationship with increasing weight and reducing fish metabolism (r=-0.568 and r=-0.517). The concentration of heavy metals of fishes in the river reduced by an increase in fish age, length and weight. Conclusion: The level of mercury and cadmium in fishes of Khersan river was shown not to be threatening for their consumers, but the increase for lead concentration reflects the fact that the entry of urban, rural and agricultural wastewater affects the concentration of heavy metals in fishes of the river that may be threatening for their consumers

An Application of the Social Cognitive Theory to Adherence to a Low-Salt Diet in Patients with Hypertension

Background & aim: High blood pressure is one of the most important causes of premature death worldwide. One of the ways to control high blood pressure is lifestyle modification, especially paying attention to nutritional behaviors, such as reducing the consumption of salt-containing foods, therefore the purpose of the present study was to investigate the application of social cognitive theory in adherence to a low-salt diet in patients with high blood pressure. Methods: The present descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 on 100 patients with high blood pressure covered by comprehensive health centers in the city of Charam, located in the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. Data collection tools included a questionnaire on adherence to a low-sodium diet, based on a modified version of the self-care activities level adjustment questionnaire in hypertension, and a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of components from the Bandura Social Cognitive Theory, including self-efficacy, social support, and self-regulation. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly selected, and with the assistance of a disease specialist, questionnaires were completed. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and linear regression statistical tests. Results: The participants' age ranged from 40 to 69 years, with a mean of 57.26 ± 29.7. 61% were female and 39% were male. 34 participants (34%) were illiterate, while 20 participants (20%) had university education. 27% had a family history of hypertension. The mean systolic blood pressure was 136.95 ± 10.22, and the mean diastolic blood pressure was 85.56 ± 5.44. The adherence rate to a low-salt diet among the studied patients was 32% (34% for females and 33% for males). Linear regression analysis revealed that the social cognitive theory predicts for 20% of the variance in adherence to a low-salt diet Conclusion: The findings indicated a low level of adherence to a low- salt diet among the studied patients. This can serve as a warning sign for both these patients and the healthcare system. Implementing interventional treatment programs and utilizing educational strategies, particularly in the areas of family social support and self-regulation, can play a significant role in increasing adherence to a low-sodium diet and controlling hypertension for these individuals

Human Health Risks from Heavy Metals in Fish of a Fresh Water River in Iran

Background: Aquatic organisms as one of the most important source of human nutrition are widely exposed to heavy metals, which even at low concentrations causes harmful effects on human health. To assess the human health risks, estimating of nutritional exposure to metals through fish consumption and comparing these factors with the recommended values is of great importance. Methods: Measurement of mercury, lead and cadmium in edible tissues of three wild fresh water fish species (Esox Lucius, Oncorhynchus mykiss and Cyprinus carpio) was carried out by using the atomic absorption method with the help of Perkin Elmer 4100. By the handling of the mean concentration of heavy metals, factors such as estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotients (THQ) and the maximum amount of consumption (CRlim and CRmm) were evaluated. Results: The level of EDI in the samples was far below the tolerable daily intake (TDI). Mercury showed the lowest levels of EDI and the lead had the highest level in all three fish species. The highest levels of THQ were found for lead (0.66) and the lowest for cadmium (0.014), which has not gone further of the hazard threshold of 1. Lead in all three species of fish showed the lowest and cadmium indicated the highest level of CRLim. Conclusion: Mercury and cadmium concentration and human health risk through fresh water fish consumption was lower than the recommended and reference values, but the evaluation of these factors in relation to the lead has not show a quite favorable condition

Comparison of Fundamental Frequency between Monolingual and Bilingual Children with a Cochlear Implant

Background and Objective: Cochlear implantation influences acoustical and perceptual characteristics of voice in CI children. However, there is limited knowledge of the type and amount of influence of multilingualism on these characteristics of voice in CI children. The present study aimed to comparatively investigate fundamental frequency (F0) between two groups of bilinguals and monolinguals in children who recently underwent CI.Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative study conducted on Persian-Arabic bilingual children (n=25) and monolingual Persian children (n=25) matched in age and gender. All children had congenitally profound hearing loss and received a unilateral CI before the age of two years. The participants were asked to sustain the vowel /a/ and vowel /e/ on a single breath for 4 seconds, and the F0 value was measured using Praat software. For each participant, the F0 was measured three times and then averaged as mean F0.Results: Our findings indicated no significant differences in terms of mean F0 for the vowels of /a/ and /e/ in monolingual and bilingual groups (p>0.05).Conclusion: Bilingual Persian-Arab children with CI display vocal characteristics that are largely comparable with those of their monolingual Persian peers with CI

Comparison of Fundamental Frequency between Monolingual and Bilingual Children with a Cochlear Implant

Background and Objective: Cochlear implantation influences acoustical and perceptual characteristics of voice in CI children. However, there is limited knowledge of the type and amount of influence of multilingualism on these characteristics of voice in CI children. The present study aimed to comparatively investigate fundamental frequency (F0) between two groups of bilinguals and monolinguals in children who recently underwent CI. Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative study conducted on Persian-Arabic bilingual children (n=25) and monolingual Persian children (n=25) matched in age and gender. All children had congenitally profound hearing loss and received a unilateral CI before the age of two years. The participants were asked to sustain the vowel /a/ and vowel /e/ on a single breath for 4 seconds, and the F0 value was measured using Praat software. For each participant, the F0 was measured three times and then averaged as mean F0. Results: Our findings indicated no significant differences in terms of mean F0 for the vowels of /a/ and /e/ in monolingual and bilingual groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Bilingual Persian-Arab children with CI display vocal characteristics that are largely comparable with those of their monolingual Persian peers with CI

The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in vegetables, fruits, and fresh produce: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract There are a number of reports indicating correlation between outbreaks of campylobacteriosis and the consumption of raw vegetables. This study is a meta-analysis on the prevalence of Campylobacter in fresh vegetables and fruits without any location limitation, which was performed through a documented review of the available resources. Relevant literature was reviewed by trained reviewers, who examined the results for the inclusion of articles in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of Campylobacter in raw vegetables, the sample source, the Campylobacter species, and the method of detection were extracted. The prevalence of Campylobacter in vegetables, fruits, and fresh produce were estimated to be 0.53%. Analysis of the various sample groups initially showed that the bean and sprouts group was the vegetable with the highest prevalence of Campylobacter (11.08%). The rate of contamination was higher when both the molecular and conventional methods were employed. The highest prevalence of Campylobacter was found in Asia (33.4%). Despite the low prevalence, consumption of raw vegetables is inherently risky because no treatment is used to inactivate the pathogens. Therefore, proper sanitation methods are recommended to treat the raw products

Starter cultures and preservation liquids modulate consumer liking and shelf life of mozzarella cheese

A holistic approach was set up to first identify the main dimensions affecting consumer decisions for purchasing mozzarella cheese and then modulate these aspects to meet consumer expectations. As sensory properties and absence of preservatives were identified through a preliminary food choice questionnaire, we compared two starters (commercial versus natural) and two preservation liquids (traditional versus inoculated solution) to evaluate their effects on sensory profile and shelf-life. Based on partial least squares regression, the largest subgroup of consumers preferred mozzarella made by natural starter, whereas there was no significant difference between the liking scores for the two preservation liquids studied. Lower counts of Enterobacteriaceae and psychrotrophs were observed in the product kept in the inoculated preservation solution. Therefore, the combination of the natural starter with the inoculated preservation liquid may represent the best option to meet the expectations of the consumers of mozzarella in terms of sensory characteristics and absence of preservatives