Journal of Human Environment and Health Promotion
Volume:6 Issue: 4, Autumn 2020

This aimed to compare the interpolation of lead and zinc concentration at the National Lead and Zinc Corporation using Landsat satellite and laboratory data to introduce an optimal interpolation method.

After collecting the laboratory data, geostatistical approaches were applied to model the spatial distribution of lead and zinc, including radial basis functions, inverse distance weighting, and ordinary kriging (Gaussian, spherical, exponential, and circular). Estimation accuracy was evaluated by cross-validation and MAE, MBE, and RMSE diagnostic statistics.

The Gaussian model had the lowest error and was the optimal method for modeling lead and zinc. After investigating the correlations between the Landsat 5 satellite bands and soil element concentrations, the spatial distribution of lead and zinc was re-zoned in the ArcGIS software. In both methods, estimation accuracy was evaluated by cross-validation and MAE, MBE, and RMSE diagnostic statistics.

The MAE and RMSE of the satellite data of lead were 38.36 and 91.73, while they were 52.93 and 74.57 for zinc, respectively. The experimental data of lead were 53.04 and 125.18while they were 108.15 and 239.25 for zinc, respectively. The accuracy of the satellite data in the interpolation of the investigated elements had lower error and higher accuracy.

Supply centers of cold-pressed sesame oil have recently appeared in the market, while no data are available on the composition and oxidative stability of these oils. The present study aimed to investigate the properties of cold-pressed and refined sesame oil samples in the market of Zanjan province, Iran in 2019.

In total, 10 sesame oil samples were collected, including eight cold-pressed and two refined samples. Fatty acid and sterol compositions were determined by gas chromatography, and tocopherols were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, oxidative stability, iodine, and peroxide values were determined.

Sesame oil was composed of 82-85% unsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic and oleic acids as the major fatty acids and β-sitosterol as the main sterol. Moreover, γ-tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol. Fatty acid composition significantly differed in various samples (P ˂ 0.05), and the total sterol and iodine values were within the standard ranges. Significant differences were observed between the cold-pressed and refined samples in terms of β- sitosterol, campesterol, ∆7-stigmastenol, γ-tocopherol, and oxidative stability (P ˂ 0.05). The mean oxidative stability of the pressed samples (8.61 hours) did not meet the standards of edible oils.

Due to low oxidative stability, the long-term preservation and use of the cold-pressed sesame oils extracted in shops are not recommended.

Helicobacter pullorum is among the most frequently reported pathogens in poultry. The present study aimed to compare the culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to assess the prevalence of H. pullorum isolated from chicken tight samples in Semnan, Iran. The antibiotic resistance pattern of the H. pullorum isolates was also determined for the first time in Iran.

In total, 50 chicken thigh samples were collected from the local retail markets in Semnan city during January-September 2019. The samples were examined using the culture method and biochemical tests, and the final confirmation was based on PCR with the 16S rRNA gene. In addition, antibiotic resistance test was performed using the disc-diffusion method.

According to the culture method and biochemical tests, 12 samples (24%) were positive for H. pullorum, eight of which (16%) showed H. pullorum in PCR as well and resistance against nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin. On the other hand, the lowest antimicrobial resistance was observed against colistin, chloramphenicol, and fosfomycin.

Our promising findings indicated that PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene may be a valuable and sensitive approach to the detection of H. pullorum in chicken meat.

Fermented food products are an inherent element of the human diet throughout the world owing to their health benefits. Kefir grains are a starter culture containing yeast and bacteria, which are classified as fermented dairy products. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of low-dose X-ray irradiation on kefir grains and the fermentation constituents.

Five grams of kefir grains was added to nine dishes. Three dishes were irradiated to 40cGy, three dishes were irradiated to 80cGy X-ray, and three dishes remained non-irradiated as the control group. The chemical properties of the kefir samples (lactic acid, protein, fat, and lactose concentrations) were investigated after X-ray irradiation using standard methods.

The contents of lactic acid, protein, and lactose increased in the samples irradiated to 80cGy X-ray (P < 0.05), while their fat content decreased (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the 40cGy X-ray samples and controls.

According to the results, 80cGy X-ray irradiation affected the kefir grains and increased their protein, lactose, and lactic acid, while decreasing the fat content, which makes milk consumption more convenient for those with high blood lipid levels.

Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents cause numerous issues in adulthood. Epidemiological data could provide a broad understanding of such issues. However, data are scarce regarding the prevalence of these disorders in Iran. The present study aimed to provide detailed evidence on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents aged 6-18 years in Zanjan province, Iran during November-February 2016.

In this cross-sectional study, 1,039 children and adolescents were selected via multistage cluster random sampling. Data were collected by
face-to-face household surveys using the Persian version of kiddie schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia-present and lifetime version.

The overall prevalence of mental disorders in the children and adolescents in Zanjan was 10.6%. Enuresis (4.8%) was the most common psychiatric issue, followed by anxiety disorders (4.5%), behavioral disorders (3.8%), and neurodevelopmental disorders (1.5%), while mood disorders (0.4%) had the lowest prevalence. Moreover, the children in the rural areas were 1.73 times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders compared to their urban peers.

According to the results, approximately 18% of the children and adolescents in Zanjan had at least one psychiatric disorder. Our findings could lay the basis for further research and preventive/therapeutic interventions in this regard.

Manual material handling is a high-risk task, which could lead to musculoskeletal injuries. The present study aimed to determine the association of manual load lifting tasks with the ergonomic risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders using the WISHA index and QEC method.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 52 employees of the metal industry, who were surveyed by the simple census method. The WISHA index was used to assess the manual load lifting, and Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, the QEC method was applied to evaluate the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 21.

In total, 53.8% of the workers lifted heavier loads than the allowable weight obtained by the WISHA index. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was 79.9%, and the risk of musculoskeletal disorders was 36.5% at an extremely high level and 44.2% at a high level. The WISHA index was significantly correlated with the QEC scores (P < 0.001) and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders
(P = 0.022).

According to the results, manual material handling tasks increased the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and work absenteeism. Therefore, taking corrective actions is essential in the workplace.

Library buildings are prone to fire due to the type of the stored materials. Evaluation of safety systems in these places is essential to the prevention of possible detriment educational research resources. The present study aimed to assess the status of the libraries of Tehran city Universities of Medical Sciences in the case of fire based on the National Building Regulation selection in 2019.

This practical, descriptive survey was conducted on 36 faculty libraries of TUMS in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected using a checklist and via observations and interviews. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 23 using descriptive statistics and tables.

The general status of the building structures in 44.5% and the fire detection, alarm, and extinguishing equipment in 68% of the studied libraries was unsuitable in the case of fire based on the National Building Regulations.  On the other hand, 85% of the libraries had unfit safety signs.

According to the results, the building structure of some of the libraries was dilapidated, and lack of proper fire alarm and extinguishing equipment increases the risk of fire in these libraries.

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the workplace is increasing due to occupational and psychological stress and exhaustion. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and the influential factors at Zanjan Lead and Zinc Company (ZLZC) in 2019.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 347 employees of ZLZC who were selected via stratified random sampling. For the subjects with higher scores of the symptom checklist-90-revised scales than the diagnostic cutoffs, a structured clinical interview was performed in terms of DSM-IV axis I disorders (SCID-I). Data were collected using SCL-90-R and SCID-I. Data analysis was performed using linear and logistic regression analysis.

In total, 49.5% of the subjects were suspected of psychiatric disorders. Job satisfaction, income, and marital status could predict 21.2% of the global severity index, and no significant correlation was observed between the exposure level to lead and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders. 

Considering the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders, it is recommended that proper training be provided on stress management, stress coping strategies, and self-efficacy training to increase the abilities of the staff of ZLZC.