Health and Development Journal
Volume:9 Issue: 1, 2020

Electrochemical sensors are an important subgroup of chemical sensors in which an electrode is used as a signal transducer element. The purpose of the present study is to provide a new, simple and practical method for creating a sensitive sensor to a cationic pollutant of the iron (III) group. 

The penetration of the measured pollutant species into two levels of the membrane’s, interior and exterior, caused a potential difference in the membrane surface. This potential difference depended on the activity of the target species through the corrected Nicolsky-Eisenman equation and based on Nernst equations. 

In this study, the selective iron (III) electrode based on a polymer membrane consisting of four main components of nitrobenzo-18-crown-6 ionophore, lipophilic additive potassium tetra case, 4-chlorophenyl borate (KTpClPB), and Ortho- nitro-phenyl octyl ether plasticizer (O-NPOE) in PVC with a weight percentage of 5, 1.5, 60.5, 33, respectively, showed a linear response with a Nernst slope of 19.77 ± 0.27 in the density range of 1.0 × 10-6 – 1.0 × 10-1 molar of iron (III) cation with a detection limit of 7.0 × 10-7 in a pH-restricted range of 2.9-6.1. The average dynamic response time of the built-in electrochemical sensor was 15 seconds. 

The built-in sensor can be used for 12 weeks with acceptable repeatability. The made electrode has a very high selectivity for iron (III) cation in the presence of significant amounts of one, two, and three-valent intrusive ions of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, intermediate metals, and heavy metals.

Given the role of behavior in the prevalence of breast cancer, the present study was conducted to determine the predictors of adopting preventive nutritional behaviors against breast cancer based on social-cognitive theory ( SCT ) variables in women of reproductive age in Davarzan city in 2017. 

This is a cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study conducted on 160 women of reproductive age in Davarzan, Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed by Spearman, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and Linear Regression tests using SPSS 18 software.

The mean age of participants was 32.6 ± 9.32 years. The results showed that among SCT variables, only the variable of awareness had a significant correlation with behavior (P=0.04, r=0.15). These variable could predict 12% of the changes in the preventive nutritional behaviors of breast cancer in women (R2=0.12, P<0.001).

Considering the findings of the present study, in developing educational interventions to increase preventive nutritional behaviors of breast cancer, more focus on women’s awareness is suggested.

In recent years, the issue of the entry of non-native species into aquatic ecosystems has been noticed in many parts of the world. This can be considered as one of the most important indicators in the assessment of environmental vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, in recent decades Anzali international wetland has faced an expansion of Azolla filiculoides; and identification of areas prone to the presence of such species is necessary. 

The information obtained from GIS plays an important role in the planning and management of aquatic ecosystems. For this purpose in this cross-sectional study, after preparing the required information layers based on the factors influencing the Azolla filiculoides distribution, the final map of susceptible places was prepared based on the fuzzy logic. 

The results showed that 45.18% of the total area of ​​the wetland is considered to be very susceptible to the presence of invasive species. Also, the west of the wetland had a higher potential, which matched the information of the factors affecting the distribution of this species. 

The information obtained indicated the appropriate separability of fuzzy logic and GIS in identifying the points that are prone to Azolla filiculoides. Also, considering the vastness of susceptible areas, it is necessary to have a strategy and program to preserve this wetland and control its pollution and destructive factors.

Nosocomial infection is considered as one of the most common problems in hospitals all over the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of students at Gonabad University of Medical Sciences regarding nosocomial infection. 

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 243 clinical students in Gonabad University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Participants were selected by stratified random method considering the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through a knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire about nosocomial infections and analyzed by descriptive and analytic statistics such as t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS version 16.

In this study, the mean score of knowledge in the students was 14.94±4.36, at the moderate level, the mean score of attitude was 63.07±6.04, and the mean score of practice was 255.93±35.78, at the desirable level. Significant differences was observed between the means of attitude and practice in terms of educational degree (P=0.001, P=0.01) and knowledge, attitude, and practice in terms of field of study (P=0.01, P=0.002, P=0.02). The highest level of attitude and practice was related to the PhD degree. The highest level of knowledge belonged to medical students and the highest attitude and practice was related to operating room students. 

Despite moderate knowledge, most students had a desirable attitude and practice regarding nosocomial infections. Considering the major role of students in preventing nosocomial infections, holding workshops, strengthening their positive attitude and motivation, and improving their skills are necessary. Therefore, more attention from authorities, especially teachers is essential in designing the necessary steps to strengthen the students' knowledge, attitude, and practice.

The value of proteins in human health as the main source of amino acids has been proven. In addition to nutritional value, proteins also have biological functions that are expressed by bioactive peptides. Production methods of bioactive peptides affect their function. This article aims to investigate sources and production methods of bioactive peptides effective on human health. 

For gathering information in this review, English articles between 1988 and 2018 containing one of the keywords "bioactive peptides, enzymatic hydrolysis, anti-cancer and anti-hypertensive agents" were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and the Islamic World Science Citation Database (ISC). Among 643 papers found, 28 articles related to the subject were selected. 

The articles show that utilizing the enzymatic hydrolysis method for therapeutic applications causes them to be more stable in comparison with fermentation and solvent extraction methods and is safer than the other two methods. Also, the positive health effects of these compounds include reducing the risk of chronic diseases, increasing immune function, reducing cholesterol, antimicrobial activity, as well as antioxidant, anti-clotting, antihypertensive, and anticancer properties.

In recent years, the role of bioactive peptides as therapeutic compounds has been highlighted. Bioactive peptides can play an effective role in human health. Therefore, investment and planning in this area can affect the future health of the country.

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an electrochemical device which uses microorganisms to convert chemical energy of bio-fuel to electrical energy. One of the most important issues in the performance of microbial fuel cells is overcoming the internal resistance of the cell. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of inlet discharge and different concentrations of NaCl on microbial fuel cell performance. 

In this experimental study, 1 and 2 mL/min discharges as well as concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 M of NaCl were selected. We also used three continuous reactors, each with three main parts of anodes, cathodes, and polymer membranes, to investigate the effect of the above factors. The anode and cathode were carbon rods and the polymer membrane was Nafion 117. 

Compared to other concentrations, in 1 mL/min volumetric flow of feed and 0.5 M of NaCl concentration, MFC showed the best performance. However, in 2 mL/min volumetric flow, the best operation of MFC was in 1 M concentration of NaCl. With the change in discharge, the retention time changed, and with the change in concentration, the internal resistance of the cell as well as the process efficiency changed due to the change in the electrolyte conductivity. Changing the conductivity of the electrolyte alone did not decrease the internal resistance of the cell. Changes in discharge also showed that increasing the retention time did not result in higher efficiency. 

Both the electrolyte change and the retention time should be considered for optimal cell performance.

Rapid Matrix Method is a tool for organizing, analyzing, and presenting the results of a comprehensive environmental impact assessment. The purpose of this study was to assess the environmental effects of the landfill in Yazd city using the rapid matrix method and evaluating the interaction of the environment with the landfill and estimating the cost of municipal waste collection. 

First, the effects of project activities were evaluated in two phases of construction and operation, on the implementation and non-implementation options concerning the three environmental components (physical-chemical, biological-ecological and social and economic). Then, the EVIAVE method was used to investigate the interaction between the environment and the landfill. The WAGS V1.10 software was used to plan the economics of urban waste in order to estimate the costs of municipal waste management. 

The environmental scores obtained from the rapid matrix were -210.5, -19.5, 168.5, and -124 at the construction and operation stages, in the implementation and non-implementation options, respectively. According to the results of the EVIAVE method, the Environment Landfill Index (ELI) was 97.41. Also, According to the WAGS V1.10 software results, the costs of collection and transportation of the municipal waste including personnel, capital, fuel, machinery maintenance, and other costs were calculated to be 49.12, 28.49, 3.79, 17.44 and 1.16%, respectively. 

Considering the results, landfilling of the municipal wastes can be acceptable in the current location by performing corrective actions and environmental monitoring. Considering the current situation, it is recommended to adopt appropriate management methods to reduce the environmental impacts of the site and reduce costs, especially personnel costs.

The use of hydrogenated oils in the preparation of pastries is associated with increased levels of trans fatty acids (TFAs) in these products. The purpose of this study was to determine the types and amounts of fatty acids with emphasis on TFAs, as well as comparing them with the national standard. Furthermore, the effect of labeling on the reduction of TFAs was investigated in traditional pastries. 

A total of 369 samples from Iranian traditional pastries in different brands were purchased from supermarkets located in Isfahan and their saturated fatty acid content was measured using gas chromatography. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.

The total average of TFAs in the samples was 1.6% (0.04-7.9) in total fat. Date cookie, Yazdi cake, and Walnut cookie were healthier than other sweets due to their lower levels of TFAs and higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids. 78.1% of the samples had less than 2% TFAs in total fat. In some products (Baghlava, rice cookie), labeling was significantly associated with decreased TFAs of the product (P<0.001). In general, packed samples had a lower average of TFAs than unpacked types, however, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.13).

A total of 41.18% of the products had less than 1% of TFAs in total fat which complied with the national standards of Iran. In some products such as raisin cakes and muffins, TFAs exceeded 1% of the total fat content, which is a risk for people with high blood lipids.