Journal of Health Scope
Volume:3 Issue: 4, Nov 2014

Vermicomposting convert waste to wealth in a safe and healthy way, because it is done by biopotential of earthworm. Vermicompst is a good organic fertilizer that decreases environmental pollution. It contains plant growth hormones, enzymes, microbial population, and free of small animals and harmful pathogens such as Salmonella. Application of such a microbiologically active organic substrate may have important effects on the microbial properties of the media. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different amounts of vermicompost and cow manure on germination, growth, and yield of tomato plant, and compare them at the greenhouse of Mashhad Municipality compost plant under field conditions in 2012. This study was laid out in a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement and 4 replications for each treatment. In the present study, vermicompost and cow manure were evaluated in four different dosages (250, 375, 500, and 625 g/m2 mixed with soil). The analysis of the variance results revealed that the effect of the type and amount of fertilizers on tomato yield was significant at 1% level. The results of this study showed that using the vermicompost dosage to cow manure of 500 g/m2 could significantly increase the tomato yield. The vermicompost as a potential source of plant nutrients for sustainable tomato production can reduce health and environmental problems.

Along with widespread use of computers, work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (ULMSDs) have become the most prevalent ergonomic problems in computer users. Thus, study of the ergonomic risk factors related to ULMSDs in computer users has a special importance. The present study was conducted to assess and compare ULMSDs among computer users of Zahedan universities of Technical-Engineering and Medical Sciences by Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and rapid upper limb assessment (RULA).Patients and This cross-sectional study was conducted on 107 computer users (65 users from Technical-Engineering University; 42 users from Medical University with a mean age of 33.84 ± 7.26 years). A combination of four methods of observation, interviews (to collect demographic data); Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) (to determine the prevalence of pain signs and symptoms of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders); and RULA (to assess the potential risk of ULMSDs) were used. We used chi-square test for qualitative data analysis, independent-samples t-test for quantitative data analysis between two groups, and 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for multiple comparisons with 0.05 significant levels. The highest and lowest of pain percentage in computer users belonged to back (77%) and shoulders (51.24%), respectively. The most percentage absenteeism belonged to lower back region (21.5%), and the most percentage over the past 12 months due to low back pain was 19.6%. Pain signs and symptoms in the body parts of shoulder, back, and legs in computer users of Technical-Engineering University were more than those of Medical Sciences University. RULA results showed that 30.8% of the computer users of Technical-Engineering University were located in corrective action level 3 (high risk level) and 42.9% of computer users of Medical Sciences at risk level 2 (moderate risk level). There was a significant relationship between age and RULA final score (P < 0.05). The potential risk and prevalence of ULMSDs among computer users of Medical Sciences University were less than those of Technical-Engineering University due to following ergonomic principles. RULA found to be a proper method for the assessment of the ergonomic risk factors of the ULMSDs in order to prevent such disorders.

Bread is an important food product that furnishes as much as 50% to 90% of total calorie and protein intakes. This research was aimed at investigating content of heavy metals in the different breads in Rasht metropolis of northern Iran. A total of 40 different bread types such as Barbari, Sangak, Lavash, and Baguette produced in 124 bakery shops in Rasht City were analyzed for some heavy metals (As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Co) by Inductive Coupled Plasma (ICP) instrument (ICP-QES). The mean content of the As, Cd, and Pb in different breads were respectively as follows: Barbari, 0, 0.73, and 0.07; Sangak, 0, 0.13, and 0.64; Lavash, 0, 0.2, and 0.3; and Baguette, 0, 0.09, and 0.9 mg/kg of dry weight. The mean concentration of Cr, Ni, and Co levels in the selected breads was respectively as follows: 1.3, 1.2, and 0.6 mg/kg of Barbari; 0.8, 0.6, and 0.19 mg/kg of Sangak; 0.7, 0.4, and 0.14 mg/kg of Lavash; and 0.9, 0.7, and 0.07 mg/kg of Baguette. The mean daily intake of As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Cr with the consumed breads were 0, 0.5, 4.2, 6.4, 7.4, and 1.6 μg/kg, respectively. The total daily intake of the studied heavy metals was determined 17.5 μg/kg. The high levels Cr (8.4 μg/kg) in Barbari, Pb (5.8 μg/kg) in Baguette, and Cd (0.8 μg/kg) in Sangak breads were determined. The high contents of daily intake of Cr, Pb, Cd, and Hg by the breads cause undesirable health effects on people. Prevention of heavy metals in to the durums and breads during wheat, rice, and other agricultural productions in cultivation, harvest, and grinding stages, storage of flour, and baking breads is necessary..

When nitrogen-containing compounds are released into the environment, they could create serious problems such as eutrophication of rivers, deterioration of water quality and potential hazard to human or animal health. Biological nitrogen removal is generally preferred over physicochemical methods due to its lower cost, lower chemical/energy requirements, and being environmental friendly. The current study aimed to evaluate the performance of a simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in a modified integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS). The ammonia and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (Ammonia 25, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg/L and COD = 500 mg/L) removal were studied by the proposed system. Two reactors in bench scale with the capacity of 13 liters were considered. Effective parameters such as hydraulic retention time, COD consumption, and the effect of loading ammonia were evaluated. Employing the BET, surface area (Sa), total pore volume (Vp), and average size of the nanostructure were 0.4026 m2/g, 3.808903 cm3/g and 44.7 nm, respectively. Results indicated that the desirable hydraulic retention time for nitrification occurred at 12. Due to higher COD consumption, there was no significant difference between the conventional IFAS and modified IFAS units. Based on the nitrification and denitrification results, the best condition for nitrifying/denitrifying performance was obtained by modified IFAS. Based on nitrification and denitrification data, the best condition for nitrifying/ denitrifying performance was obtained by modified-IFAS. Hence, the modification can be used to obtain the best activities of microbial and nitrogen removal improvement.

Cancer is one of the chronic diseases, which increases the risk of depression. The main causes of depression among these patients are pain due to metastasis, limited social activities and disability. The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of depression and relevant factors in patients with cancer referred to Shiraz Nemazee hospital for chemotherapy and radiotherapy.Patients and This was a cross-sectional study on 260 patients with cancer. To diagnose depression, the Beck questionnaire was used. To analyze data, logistic regression was more appropriate than the univariate analysis, because it simultaneously considers the effects of each of the predictors. The prevalence of depression was 47.4%. There was a statistically significant association between depression and income (P < 0.001), family history of depression (P = 0.001), satisfaction with her or his condition (P < 0.001), disease duration (P < 0.001) and education (P = 0.025). Logistic regression revealed that the main effective factors were disease duration more than five years (OR = 5.9, P = 0.013), lack of satisfaction with her or his condition (OR = 19.6, P < 0.001) and family history of depression (OR = 2.4, P = 0.049). Consultation sessions are necessary to reduce depression of patients with cancer. Since depression may reduce quality of life and reaction to treatment, curing depression may relatively reduce side effects of disease for patients to have less pain and problems.

During pregnancy, physiological changes occur in body, which resulting results in oral health problems such as caries, tooth mobility, and pregnancy gingivitis. Inflammatory mediators might seriously affect the fetus and placenta. In addition, such materials stimulate the synthesis of prostaglandins, which would lead to preterm birth. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two methods of anticipatory guidance presentation on the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of pregnant women regarding oral health care during pregnancy and the impact on gingiva.Patients and Ninety pregnant women attended a Health Center in Zahedan, southern Iran, were divided into 3 groups of direct intervention, indirect intervention, and control during a 2-month quasi-experimental study. After examining their gingiva using Modified Gingival Index (MGI), a self-reported questionnaire was completed. Then, anticipatory guidance was presented to direct intervention group face-to-face using PowerPoint and to indirect intervention group using pamphlet. Shortly after intervention, the knowledge and attitude sections of the same questionnaire were completed by the two intervention groups. Two months later all sections of the same questionnaire (knowledge, attitude, and behavior) were completed by all participants. MGI was registered again. The changes in mean of scores of variables in these groups were compared during this 2-month period. The data were analyzed with SPSS at the significant level of 0.05 using Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis and 1-way analysis of variance with post hoc tests. Intervention groups showed significant differences with the control group regarding scores of knowledge, attitude, behavior and MGI (P < 0.05). Comparing intervention groups, a significant difference was observed in changing the mean scores of knowledge and behavior (P = 0.023 and P = 0.020, respectively). This study showed the superiority of direct method of presentation in changing pregnant women’s knowledge and behavior about oral health care.

Handheld computers play an increasing role in improving healthcare services by making the information available at the point of care. There is not enough evidence regarding the usage of handheld computers by healthcare professionals in developing countries. This study investigated the benefits and barriers of using handheld computers in clinical practice in a developing country, Iran.Patients and This qualitative study was conducted using a semi-structured interview protocol. The study subjects were selected using the purposive snowball sampling method. In-depth interviews were carried out by 21 medical interns and residents from May through September 2011. NVivo Software was used to codify and analyze the data. The most important benefits of using handheld computers included easy access and instant delivery of health information, medical errors reduction, access to evidence-based clinical information, and improving the clinical decision makings and treatment quality. Three limitation categories of usage were also identified upon data analysis, related to handheld computers, individual barriers, and external limitations. Handheld computers are useful devices for accessing up-to-date and evidence-based information in clinical practice to serve patients better. Healthcare authorities in developing countries should provide more support and considerations to reduce limitations of handheld computers usage in healthcare settings.

Psychiatric disorders to various reasons such side effects of psychiatric drugs, poor oral hygiene and poor diet and are known as risk factors for development oral health problems. This study was conducted to determine the dental status in hospitalized psychiatric patients in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran.Patients and This cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 patients in the only psychiatric hospital in this province. Dental status was assessed through measuring the mean of the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT index). The collected data was analyzed using t-test, analysis of variance and Tukey test. The mean DMFT score among the patients was 13.75 ± 7.8. There were statistically significant associations between age, duration of mental illness, duration of medication usage, education level, and tooth brushing frequency and DMFT index (P < 0.05). Differences of DMFT Indexes with sex and type of psychiatric disorders were not statistically significant. The results of this study indicated that effective dental care is needed for improvement of the dental health status of hospitalized patients with psychiatric disorders.

Particulates have a wide range of effects, frequently on respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Exposure to such particles for a long period of time will lead to increase in morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the association between epidemiological indexes attributed to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases with PM10 pollutant in the air of Ahvaz city during 2010 to 2013. In this epidemiological study, data were taken from Ahvaz Department of Environment (ADoE). Sampling was performed for 24 hours in 4 stations. Method of sampling and analysis were performed according to EPA guideline. In this study, 140160 (4 × 24 × 365 × 4) samples of Ahvaz’s air was taken during 2010 to 2013. Pollutant concentrations of PM10 were measured using GRIMM. Raw data processing was performed by Excel software and converted as input file to the Air Q model. Finally, health-effects of PM10 exposure were calculated. Results showed an increase in annual concentration of the pollutant PM10 in Ahvaz since 2010 till 2013. The concentration of particulates in the air of Ahvaz was up to 917.12 μg/m3 in 2013. Maximum annual concentration was 10,000 μg/m3, which was observed in the summer 2012. Estimated parts attributed to deaths due to cardiovascular diseases during 2010-2013 was 12.69%, 18.65%, 21.88% and 19.16%, respectively. By considering update base equal to 66 per 100,000 people for respiratory diseases, accumulative number of mortality due to such diseases during 2010-2013 was 115, 164, 189 and 168 people, respectively. Cardiovascular and respiratory problems mortality, as well as referrals to hospitals due to such diseases, was increased since 2010 till 2012. In 2013, however, the death toll was less than what had been in 2012, in spite of more concentration. The reason is that Ahvaz had 160 days with concentration more than 400 μg/m3 in 2013 whereas this was 198 days in 2012. Also, every 10 μg.m-3 increase in the concentration of PM10 in Ahvaz resulted in the increase in the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory tract diseases and referrals to hospital due to respiratory and heart problems by 0.8%, 1.2%, 0.8% and 0.9%, respectively.