Assessment of Allergic Biomarkers; Total Immunoglobulin E Antibodies Levels and Peripheral Blood Eosinophil among Public Transporter Drivers with Traffic–Related Respiratory Diseases in Tehran

Background: Traffic air pollution can be induced or developed the different respiratory diseases. Megacity has potential magnitude in the production of high density and large- volume traffic triggering factors in the outdoor environment. High concentrations of Formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are found in traffic density of ambient air in urban area. It can be stimulated both allergic state and diseases. The PAHs originates from the motor engine are as pro-inflammatory compounds which can enhance Immunoglobulin E (IgE) responses. The purpose of the study was evaluation of allergic markers among public drivers in Tehran, to assess the respiratory diseases.Materials and Methods: A total of 151 subjects were sequentially enrolled among public drivers with traffic related respiratory diseases. The total IgE antibodies in serum were measured according to manufacture recommendation.Results: The mean age recorded 47.66±8.82 standard deviation (SD). The peripheral eosinophil proportion was 3.19±2.16 SD. The mean IgE antibody levels were 205.89±238.67SD. Allergic state was found in 47% of target population. Frequencies of traffic-related air pollution diseases (TRAPD) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 34%, asthma 25%, rhinitis 21% and bronchitis 21%, respectively. Allergic state distributed high frequency in asthma, rhinitis, COPD and bronchitis diseases, respectively.Conclusion: Allergic biomarkers of IgE antibody and peripheral eosinophilia were widely distributed among TRAPD. They observed more frequency on the allergic base diseases than non-allergic small airway diseases. It may be reflected the actual role of traffic -related air pollution on the sensitization of all categories of TRAPD

Essential oils as antibacterial agents against food-borne pathogens: are they really as useful as they are claimed to be ?

Original articleMost studies evaluating the use of essential oils (EO) as antibacterial agents focus mainly on minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) rather than minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC). In this work, we compared MICs and MBCs of EO from condiment plants commonly used in Mediterranean Europe, namely Origanum vulgare, Salvia lavandulaefolia, Salvia officinalis, Salvia sclarea and Rosmarinus officinalis, aiming to evaluate their application as disinfecting agents in minimally processed produce. Outbreaks-related pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Yarrowia lipolytica were used. Results showed that all EO were able to reduce bacterial growth in all bacterial strains tested, particularly O. vulgare. However, fewer EO exhibited bactericidal activities, and were only effective against one or two bacterial strains, hence eliminating the possibility to use them as broad range disinfectants. Furthermore, the necessary concentrations were too high for food application. Hence, our work suggests the need to evaluate MBC rather than MIC and questions EO usefulness in controlling undesired microorganisms. Overall, and despite the large volume of data published on EO, results obtained were not very encouraging for a realistic application on produce and question the viability of EOs as disinfecting agents in foodinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Predictors of contracting COVID-19 in nursing homes: Implications for clinical practice.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to identify the predictors of contracting COVID-19 among older people in nursing homes in Iran. DESIGN: A case-control study. METHODS: Four-hundred-nine nursing home residents aged 60 years and above, with a 1:2 ratio of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 to those not infected, from six nursing homes in Tehran between 25 March and 12 July 2021 were recruited. Participants completed a questionnaire comprising demographic and underlying disease questions, practice about prevention principles of SARS-CoV-2 infection, probably predisposing factors of the infection, and environmental and staff characteristic of nursing homes. Logistic regression was used to determine risk factors associated with contracting COVID-19. RESULTS: The mean age was 77.37 (±9.20) years; 54% were female. A logistic regression model showed that the most important predictors of becoming infected by SARS-CoV-2 included not using mask outside the room (odds ratio [OR]: 3.37, 95% CI: 1.74-6.53), longer staff shifts (OR: 3.02, 95% CI: 1.68-5.43), using cloth mask or not wearing a mask (OR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.13-5.42) and not having glass barrier in visitors space (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.11-3.50). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that an increase in older people becoming infected by SARS-CoV-2 in nursing homes is probably because of not wearing a mask in common places, use of a cloth mask, longer staff shift durations and not having a glass shield when interacting with visitors from outside of nursing homes. IMPACT: The predictors identified in this study can assist in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infections in older people institutionalized in nursing homes. These data items can also inform the development of interventions to improve principles of infection prevention and control

Investigation of Association between The stress due to job, life health and family in adult diagnosed with IBD

Background: Several psychological factors known to be involved in Inflammatory Bowl Diseases (IBD) pathology including stress&nbsp; and stressful life style.The aim of this study was to determine the association between The stress due to job, life health and family in adult diagnosed with IBD referred to Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center, Shariati Hospital in 2014-2015. Methods: In a case-control analytical research,using Targeted sampling method, eighty individuals as experimental group and eighty individuals as control group participated. Results: Findings demonstrated the two groups difference regarding means of age, based on Independent-Test (P=0.2) and the difference regarding gender distribution, based on Fishers Exact Test (P= 0.8) were not significant. The two groups difference regarding family stress measured by Independent T -Test, was significant (P 0<001). Conclusion: Findings showed that these patients had more problems in private life regions like emotional conflicts and relationship with spouse and children than non-patient people

Reduction in prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among intravenous drug users in Tehran drop-in-centers

Background: Despite the availability of an effective vaccine for more than three decades, HBV (hepatitis B virus) continues to infect many people worldwide, particularly in developing countries of Asia. In older people at higher risk of infection, high prevalence of HBV may exist, particularly among intravenous drug users (IDUs). This group is among groups at higher risk of infection as they share needles for drug injection. Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBsAg (hepatitis B antigen) among intravenous drug users in drop-in-centers (DICs) of Tehran in 2013. Patients and Methods: This cross sectional study included 129 intravenous drug users recruited from DICs in Tehran in 2013. Socio-demographic characteristics and associated risk factors were recorded during the sample collection. Their serum samples were tested for the presence of HBsAg by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: HBsAg was detected in 4 of 129 subjects, giving an overall prevalence of 3.1. No significant correlation was observed between HBsAg positivity and socio-demographic and associated risk factors. Conclusions: Undoubtedly, IDUs are one of the most high-risk groups exposed to infection; so the priority of preventive and educational programs would be beneficial for this high-risk group. Screening IDUs at the national level and statistical analysis for HBV in the larger sample size is recommended. © 2013, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciencces