Fauna and Bioecology of Sand Flies in Jask Country, the Endemic Focus of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Hormozgan, Iran
The cutaneous leishmaniasis has been regularly spread in Iran. Jask County which has been located in the eastern part of Hormozgan Province had the most cases of patients. The present study aimed to investigate on the fauna and biology of sand flies.
In this descriptive, cross sectional study, during 2007–2008, sand flies were captured using sticky papers and CDC miniature light traps. Flies species were identified using microscopic method. Parity rate was examined by dissection to chequer accessory glands for pigments. The ELISA method was used for detection of anthropophagic index.
A total of 8123 sand flies were caught, so as 57.52% were male and 42.49% female (39.07% and 60.93% were caught indoor aIKl outdoor, respectively). The fauna was identified 8 species (2 Phlebotomus aIKl6 Sergentomyia). Phlebotomus major was reported for the first time in Hormozgan Province. P. papatasi and P. salehi were the dominant species. Monthly activity of sand flies begins at the end of Esfand, lasting to mid Azar with two peaks, the first in Ordibehesht -Khordad and the second one in Mehr-Aban. The parous rate was high (≥ 70%) at the second peak. The dominant species showed high anthropophagic index (29.6% and 18%, respectively).
Although the sand flies fauna is poor in Jask County but they are highly diverse. P. papatasi and P. salehi transmit the Leishmania parasite from reservoir rodents to human. According to the endophility, residual spraying twice a year (Esfand and Shahrivar) could be effective in hyperendemic villages.
Authors: Azizi K, Fekri S.
Source: Journal of Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences. 2011; 15 (1): 8 – 14.
Effective Dose Rate of Radon Gas in Jooshan Hot Spring of Kerman Province, Iran
Human beings are constantly exposed to different radiations that have always been recognized as a health hazard. Radon -222 and its daughter products are major sources of natural radiations and a significant total inhalation dose is related to them. Hence, the measurement of radon activity in the environment has gained an increasing importance. In this study, with the measurement of radon concentration, the indoor radon activity level and radon effective dose rate in Jooshan hot spring were determined.
Concentration of radon gas inside the pool of Jooshan hot spring was measured using the active detector RAD7 type and the annual effective dose was estimated for individuals inhaling the indoor air of this pool for a specified period of time.
Concentration of indoor air radon gas was 98.3 ± 4.9 Bq/rn3 and for a person staying in the pool twice a week and each time for two hours, the annual effective dose rate, due to the inhalation of radon, equals to 0.06 ± 0.003 mSv/y.
Comparison of the obtained effective does with the standards of Environmental Protection Agency and Health physics Society, it can be concluded that for individuals that normally use Jooshan hot spring pool, the resulted dose is in the recommended range.
Authors: Hashemi SM, Negarestani A.
Source: Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. 2011; 18 (3): 279 – 285.
Cost-effectiveness of Homograft Heart Valve Replacement Surgery: An Introductory Study in Tehran, Iran
The clinical effectiveness of heart valve replacement surgery has been well documented. Mechanical and homograft valves are used routinely for replacement of damaged heart valves. Homograft valves are produced in our country but we import the mechanical valves. To our knowledge the cost-effectiveness of homograft valve has not been assessed. The objective of the present study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of homograft valve replacement with mechanical valve replacement surgery.
Samples were selected from 200 patients that underwent homograft and mechanical heart valve replacement surgery in Imam-Khomeini hospital in Tehran (2000–2005). In each group we enrolled 30 patients. Quality of life was measured using the SF-36 health survey and efficacy was measured in QALYs. For each group we calculated the price of heart valve and hospitalization charges. Finally the cost-effectiveness of each treatment modalities were summarized as costs per QALYs gained.
Forty males and 20 females participated in the study. The mean score of quality of life was 66.06 (SD = 9.22) in homograft group and 57.85 (SD = 11.30) in mechanical group (P < 0.05). The mean QALYs gained in homograft group was 0.67 more than mechanical group. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) revealed a cost savings of 9,604,440 I.R. Rials for each quality- adjusted life year gained in homograft group.
Despite limitation of this introductory study, we concluded that homograft valve replacement was more effective and less expensive than mechanical valve. These findings can encourage healthcare managers and policy makers to support the production of homograft valves and allocate more recourse for developing such activities.
Authors: Yaghobi M, Arjmand B, Emami-Razavi SH, Khodadadi A, Ahmadi AM, Aghayan HR.
Source: Journal of Medical Council of Islamic Republic of Iran.2010; 28 (4): 458 – 465.
Difference in Goiter Prevalence between Genders: A Meta-analysis of Literature
Several studies have shown that goiter is more prevalent in females than in males, although before puberty there is no difference between genders, indicating that sex steroids may play a role in thyroid volume. Iodine deficiency may result in increase prevalence in goiter prevalence but the difference between genders is not clear. This study is a meta-analysis of studies that have compared goiter prevalence between genders at different ages, with differing iodine status.
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis based on Cochrane’ criteria. Databases of MEDLINE-EMBASE-Cochrane and Persian databases of IranMedex, Magiran, SID, and Irandoc were searched and all articles on goiter in both sexes goiter were examined were included.
A hundred and five studies, with total number of 429252 individuals, age range 1–80 years, were included. Odds ratio of female to male goiter was OR = 1.39 (95% CI = 1.28–1.51), a ratio higher in longstanding iodine insufficient areas, than in areas of recent iodine sufficiency (1.94 vs. 1.36), the difference in iodine sufficient area being non significant. This ratio for grade 2 of goiter was higher than grade 1 (1.78 vs. 1.30), and in persons > 15 years old rose significantly, especially in iodine deficient areas. Goiter is more prevalent in females than in males.
Authors: Malboosbaf R, Hosseinpanah F, Azizi F, Mojarrad M, Jambarsang S.
Source: Iranian Journal of Endocrinologyand Metabolism. 2011; 12(6): 641 – 646.
Assessing the Recommended Weight Limit in Manual Carrying of Loads in Packaging Lines of a Factory in Qazvin, Iran
Manual carrying of loads is one of the most important causes of occupational lumbago in workplaces. The reasons for application of recommended weight limit is due to injuries frequently occur in workers while pushing or conveying objects.
The aim of this research was to assess the recommended weight limit in manual carrying of loads using NIOSH standard in Packaging lines of a factory within the industrial city of Qazvin.
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in one of the factories of industrial city of Qazvin in 2008. Three palette workers who were selected randomly included in our study. On each palette, cartons were arranged in 4 rows each containing 16 cartons. From 16 points on each row, 8 points were selected for assessment. Later, through determination of the multipliers of load lifting, the resistible weight limit (RWL), which is the final product of this equation, was obtained and the LI (lifting index) of each worker calculated. Calculations (definition of variables and coefficients as well as calculation of RWL and LI) and drawing of diagrams were performed using Excel program.
Considering the recommended RWL, the box weight used in this study (15 kg) was heavier than the recommended weight limit (9.55 kg for origin and 7.33 kg for destination) and the LI was excited in all cases.
By correcting the coefficients associated with load lifting height, distance of load displacement, and turning angle of the body, the LI can decrease to a great extent.
Authors: Varmazyar S, Sayrafi HS, Nikpay A.
Source: Journal of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. 2011; 15 (2): 78 – 85.