NON-LINEAR ADAPTIVE PHENOMENA WHICH DECREASE THE RISK OF INFECTION AFTER PRE-EXPOSURE TO RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION

Substantial evidence indicates that adaptive response induced by low doses of ionizing radiation can result in resistance to the damage caused by a subsequently high-dose radiation or cause cross-resistance to other non-radiation stressors. Adaptive response contradicts the linear-non-threshold (LNT) dose-response model for ionizing radiation. We have previously reported that exposure of laboratory animals to radiofrequency radiation can induce a survival adaptive response. Furthermore, we have indicated that pre-exposure of mice to radiofrequency radiation emitted by a GSM mobile phone increased their resistance to a subsequent Escherichia coli infection. In this study, the survival rates in animals receiving both adapting (radiofrequency) and challenge dose (bacteria) and the animals receiving only the challenge dose (bacteria) were 56% and 20%, respectively. In this light, our findings contribute to the assumption that radiofrequency-induced adaptive response can be used as an efficient method for decreasing the risk of infection in immunosuppressed irradiated individuals. The implication of this phenomenon in human’s long term stay in the space is also discussed

Risk estimation of heavy metals from consumption of silver pomfret and tiger tooth croaker in Hormozagan Province

In the present study, accumulation of manganese, cadmium, zinc, iron and copper in the commercially fish species (silver pomfret and tiger tooth croaker) caught from Bandarabbas coasts at 2010 was measured and the risk of daily intake of them in Hormozagan urban population was estimated. The average concentrations (µ/g dry weight) of manganese, cadmium, zinc, iron, and copper in the muscle tissue of silver pomfret were 1.248, 0.217, 14.444, 2.397 and 3.300, respectively, while the concentration of them in tiger tooth croaker were 1.009, 0.403, 12.564, 4.467 and 2.366, respectively. According to fish consumption rate, urban populations of the province were divided into four groups; low, medium, high and very high. The target hazard quotient (THQ) in each group calculated separately. The THQ of all groups were much lower than 1 in the two fish. The results showed that urban populations of the province have not any risk due to accumulation of the studied heavy metals

The effect of physical and psychosocial occupational factors on the chronicity of low back pain in the workers of Iranian metal industry: A cohort study

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common problems among the workers of different industries. The role of occupational factors in causing the LBP has been indicated previously. LBP has great socio-economic costs and most of its costs are related to the chronic LBP. The aim of this study was to identify the occupational risk factors that are related to the progression of the LBP from acute to chronic phase. Methods: This cohort study has been conducted on 185 workers with acute LBP. Information related to their occupational exposure at baseline has been measured with a valid questionnaire using the self-report approach. Patients follow up was done monthly for three months after the start of the pain. Those workers whose occupational exposure had not changed during the follow up were divided into two groups of chronic LBP (n = 49) and cured (n = 136) according to the duration of the pain period (more or less than 3 months), and their job exposures were compared. Results: Among the physical and psychosocial risk factors, social support (OR = 0.466, CI = 0.231-0.940) and job satisfaction (OR = 0.455, CI = 0.232-0.891), and lifting weights more than 15kg (OR = 2.482, CI = 1.274-4.834) indicated a significant relationship with the chronicity of the LBP. After putting the variables into the regression model, only lifting > 15kg remained statistically significant. Conclusion: According to the observed relationship between these occupational risk factors (social support, job satisfaction, lifting > 15kg) and the chronicity of the LBP, there is hope that eliminating these factors in the workers with acute LBP will prevent its progression to the chronic phase

Implementation of Value Engineering for strategy formulation (Case study: Fisheries sector)

This paper analyzes the results of implementing Value Engineering (VE) into SWOT methodology undertaken in Yazd province of Iran. This is the first time that these techniques have been undertaken for fisheries sector in Iran. The study mainly aims at applying Value Engineering and SWOT techniques to achieve the best out of decision-making, and also of management issues as a whole, through the consideration of creative ideas for improvement. The analyses use scientific trawl data and standardized analysis techniques. Based upon the analysis of fisheries issues, findings indicate that the optimized policy is to introduce new sea food chain restaurants into the studied province. Moreover, other suggestions could be as follows: advertising and good standard packaging for export, building facilities for processing and refrigeration by investors, producing Salmon for export in good packaging, producing crabs and other new species, encouraging people to consume more fish, paying great attention to research works, government supporting for transportation, loan, and subsidies, and finally encouraging investors

Effects of mercury on embryonic development and larval growth of the sea urchin Echinometra mathaei from the Persian Gulf

This study investigated the effects of increasing mercury (Hg) concentration on early developmental stages of sea urchin, Echinometra mathaei, as a bioindicator. The toxicity test was carried out after the gamete released induction and fertilization in six concentrations of mercury within the range of 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 µg/L. Embryos samples were incubated for 30 h in control and test solutions. After incubation, the percentage of developed 4-arm pluteus larvae was recorded in each group and embryonic abnormalities were studied by a microscope. Results of this study indicate that exposure of embryos to increasing mercury concentrations lead to abnormalities such as changes to shape and size of pluteus larval arms and also arrested development in early embryonic stages. Furthermore, embryos were analyzed to determine mercury absorption by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry method (AAS). The median effective concentration (EC50) value calculated for mercury was 17/42 µg/L

Shoulder girdle muscle activity and fatigue in traditional and improved design carpet weaving workstations

Objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the neck and shoulder regions are common among carpet weavers. Working for prolonged hours in a static and awkward posture could result in an increased muscle activity and may lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomic workstation improvements can reduce muscle fatigue and the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Material and Methods: The aim of this study is to assess and to compare upper trapezius and middle deltoid muscle activity in 2 traditional and improved design carpet weaving workstations. These 2 workstations were simulated in a laboratory and 12 women carpet weavers worked for 3 h. Electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded during work in bilateral upper trapezius and bilateral middle deltoid. The root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) values were calculated and used to assess muscle load and fatigue. Repeated measure ANOVA was performed to assess the effect of independent variables on muscular activity and fatigue. The participants were asked to report shoulder region fatigue on the Borg�s Category-Ratio scale (Borg CR-10). Results: Root mean square values in workstation A are significantly higher than in workstation B. Furthermore, EMG amplitude was higher in bilateral trapezius than in bilateral deltoid. However, muscle fatigue was not observed in any of the workstations. Conclusions: The results of the study revealed that muscle load in a traditional workstation was high, but fatigue was not observed. Further studies investigating other muscles involved in carpet weaving tasks are recommended. © 2016, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved

Changes in Phytoplankton and Bacterioplankton Biomass and Rate Processes in Apalachicola Bay, Florida, in Response to Reduction in River Discharge

Bacterioplankton abundance and chlorophyll concentration and the factors that control them (temperature, nutrient concentrations, and rates of growth, grazing, and export) were studied in Apalachicola Bay, FL, during two summers with contrasting river discharge. A reduction in river discharge from the summer of 2003 (S03) to the summer of 2004 (S04) led to a reduction in estuarine concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and rates of export, phytoplankton and bacterioplankton growth, and microzooplankton grazing on phytoplankton and bacterioplankton. Bacterioplankton abundance and chlorophyll concentration during S03 were not significantly different from those during S04. Neither the growth rates and abundances of ciliates nor the egg production rates and abundances of Acartia tonsa were significantly affected by the reduction in rate processes of bacterioplankton or phytoplankton. The proposed diversion of freshwater from the Apalachicola River during summer months may lead to substantial changes in the rate processes of bacterioplankton and phytoplankton, but little change in the standing stocks of bacterioplankton, phytoplankton, ciliates, A. tonsa, or ciliate growth rates and A. tonsa egg production rates

Effect of linear and stepwise sodium and ultra filtration profiles on intradialytic hypotension and muscle cramps in renal disease patients

زمینه و هدف: افت فشارخون و کرامپ های عضلانی از عوارض شایع حین دیالیز است که علاوه بر نارضایتی بیماران، کفایت دیالیز را نیز پایین می آورد. یکی از روش هایی که اخیراً مطرح شده، استفاده از پروفایل های سدیم و اولترافیلتراسیون می باشد. هدف این مطالعه بررسی و مقایسه تاثیر پروفایل های خطی و پلکانی سدیم و اولترافیلتراسیون بر افت فشارخون و کرامپ های عضلانی حین همودیالیز بود. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه کارآزمایی بالینی 26 بیمار تحت همودیالیز مراجعه کننده به دو مرکز همودیالیز بیمارستان های حضرت علی اصغر(ع) و الزهرا(س) اصفهان که در طول یک ماه قبل از انجام پژوهش در بیش از 20 درصد جلسات دیالیز، دچار هیپوتانسیون حین دیالیز شده بودند، انتخاب شدند. در این پژوهش هر یک از بیماران به مدت سه جلسه با روش روتین (غلظت ثابت سدیم بر روی 138 میلی مول در لیتر)، 3 جلسه با روش پروفایل 1 سدیم و پروفایل 1 اولترافیلتراسیون (پروفایل خطی) و سه جلسه دیگر نیز با روش پروفایل 3 سدیم و پروفایل 3 اولترافیلتراسیون (پروفایل پلکانی) تحت دیالیز قرار گرفتند. جهت تجزیه و تحلیل داده ها از آمار توصیفی و استنباطی کای اسکوئر استفاده شد. یافته ها: میــانگین سنی بیماران 19±8/46 سال بود. نتایج مطالعه نشان داد که میزان بروز هیپوتانسیون و کرامپ های عضلانی در روش پروفایل خطی سدیم و پروفایل خطی اولترافیلتراسیون و روش پروفایل پلکانی سدیم و پروفایل پلکانی اولترافیلتراسیون در مقایسه با روش روتین (کنترل) بطور معنی داری کاهش یافت (05/0P). نتیجه گیری: بکارگیری پروفایل های سدیم و اولترافیلتراسیون روشی ساده و بدون هزینه است که با تنظیم غلظت سدیم و میزان برداشت اولترافیلتراسیون باعث ثبات وضعیت همودینامیک بیمار در طول دیالیز می شود. بنابراین به منظور جلوگیری از افت فشارخون و کرامپ های عضلانی در طول دیالیز، استفاده از پروفایل های سدیم و اولترافیلتراسیون (نوع خطی و پلکانی) نسبت به روش روتین پیشنهاد می گردد

Quality of life, Work ability and other important indicators of women's occupational health

Objectives: Work ability may be considered as an important aspect of well-being and health status. One of the most important factors in association with work ability is health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study has been to determine the association between work ability, individual characteristics and HRQoL of female workers. Material and Methods: The design of this study has been cross-sectional. The work ability index (WAI) and Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-12) questionnaires were used to collect data. Three hundred and twenty female workers were selected from food supplier factories in Karaj. One-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation analysis, independent sample t-test and multiple linear regression methods were used to analyze data. Results: Mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) of the WAI stood at 35.02 and 5.57, respectively. The categories of the WAI for women being as follows: 8.8 poor, 62 moderate, 25.4 good and 3.7 excellent. Mean±SD for the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of quality of life was 58.84±11.12 and 57.45±9.94, respectively. There was a positive significant association between the PCS and MCS with the WAI (p = 0.0001). Workers with higher education had a better work ability (p = 0.002) and shift-work workers had a worse work ability (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Work ability of majority of women was moderate. Considering mean age of studied women (27.6 years old), this work ability is not satisfactory. Physical and mental components of the HRQoL were the important factors associated with work ability