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سال چهاردهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 52، مهر و آبان 1394)

Heavy metals like Cadmium, Arsenic, Lead and Mercury are regarded as the most common heavy metals in the environment which can enter the food chain via various routs and may cause a great number of disorders within humans. Besides these heavy metals, such metals as Zinc and Copper can be dangerous in excess amounts. Edible salt, as one of the main additives, can contain these heavy metals. Hence, this study aimed to determine the contamination of heavy metals in edible salts of Isfahan market in 2011. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 15 packets of refined table salt and 5 packets of unrefined ones were analyzed. Accuracy of the analysis was assured through repeated analysis of five samples. The heavy metal contents of salts were measured via a flameless Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP). Moreover, SPSS software was applied to analyze the data utilizing t-test. The mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cu and Zn in the refined table salt were 0.15, 0.57, 0.69, 0.061, and 0.87µg/g, whereas their mean concentrations were reported 6.34, 0.16, 0.61, 0.63, 0.058, 0.86 and 7.53 µg/g, respectively in the unrefined salt. The study findings demonstrated that Arsenic and Mercury concentrations mean were reported higher than the standard in the available salt samples, whereas the concentrations of other heavy metals were observed lower than this extent in the refined and unrefined salts. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed between mean concentrations of heavy metals in refined and unrefined edible salts. The estimated amount of provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of these heavy metals was observed below the amount indicated by the guideline values. However, utilizing suitable methods is necessitated in order to remove the mentioned pollutants of edible salt.

Airborne pollution in such public environments as schools has adverse health effects on pupils and teachers who spend a noticeable amount of time in the school. Therefore, this study aimed to measure the suspended particles concentration of indoor and outdoor air of Yazd schools as well as to determine the influencing parameters on the pollution intensity. This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 20 middle-schools and high schools of males and females in winter of 2013. The environmental aerosol monitoring device, (HAZ-DUST EPAM5000 model) was used to measure the concentration of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10. The study data were analyzed via applying correlation, simple linear regression and means comparison tests. Moreover, the study results were compared with the standards of World health organization(WHO) and Environmental Health Organization(EPA). The mean concentration of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 in indoor class air was reported higher compared to the outdoor air. The indoor and outdoor air quality of schools in terms of Air Quality Index9 (AQI Calculator) indicated an average condition for PM10, and an unhealthy condition for PM2.5 in regard with the vulnerable groups. A significant relationship was detected between indoor and outdoor air concentration particles (P<0.05). The mean indoor per outdoor air particles ratio (I/O) was 1.68, 1.31, 1.46 respectively for PM10, PM2.5, PM1. The study findings revealed a significant relationship between indoor and outdoor suspended particle concentration demonstrating the particles penetration into the classrooms. Therefore, utilizing appropriate air conditioner systems are regarded effective in order to mitigate indoor class pollution.

All organizations, whether public or private, necessitate performance evaluation systems in regard with growth, stability, and development in the competitive fields. One of the existing models for performance evaluation of occupational health and safety management is Total Quality Safety Management model (TQSM). Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate performance of safety management and occupational health utilizing TQSM model. In this descriptive-analytic study, the population consisted of 16 individuals, including managers, supervisors, and members of technical protection and work health committee. Then the participants were asked to respond to TQSM questionnaire before and after the implementation of Occupational Health & Safety Advisory Services 18001 (OHSAS18001). Ultimately, the level of each program as well as the TQSM status were determined before and after the implementation of OHSAS18001. The study results showed that the scores obtained by the company before OHSAS 18001’s implementation, was 43.7 out of 312. After implementing OHSAS 18001 in the company and receiving the related certificate, the total score of safety program that company could obtain was 127.12 out of 312 demonstrating a rise of 83.42 scores (26.8%). The paired t-test revealed that mean difference of TQSM scores before and after OHSAS 18001 implementation was proved to be significant (p> 0.05). The study findings demonstrated that TQSM can be regarded as an appropriate model in order to monitor the performance of safety management system and occupational health, since it possesses the ability to quantitatively evaluate the system performance.

Due to such complications of absorbing lead and cadmium heavy metals as kidney and liver dysfunction, vascular and heart diseases, anemia, digestive complications, nervous and skeletal problems and due to importance of bread as one of the most important food diets in Iran, especially in Yazd, the amount of lead and cadmium was evaluated in a variety of breads in Yazd. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 2013. Out of 69 bakeries, random probability proportionate sampling was applied in order to measure the heavy metals (lead and cadmium content) in samples by ash and atomic absorption equipped with grafiti furnac (ETAAS) with correction of background time. The study data were analyzed using SPSS (v.17) considering p-value of less than 0.05 as significant. The average amounts of lead and cadmium were 99.05 and 7.49 g/kg respectively. The amount of lead in Sangak bread was higher than that of other types of breads, whereas lead amounts of fantasy bread was reported less than those of other breads. Cadmium content demonstrated no significant differences among breads. Lead amount was higher in direct heat breads. Whereas, cadmium amount showed no significant differences between direct and indirect heat breads. It is worth mentioning that lead and cadmium content were reported lower than allowable levels in all samples. As the study results revealed and considering per capita consumption of bread in Iran (about 160 kg), it seems that weekly intake of lead and cadmium in Yazd is at an acceptable level, though possible risk of heavy metals(lead and cadmium) need to decrease in order to prevent the probable risks of lead and cadmium heavy metals.

Within recent 20 years, psychological and psychotherapeutic issues have absorbed great attention in regard with the physical activity. Since students’ mental health is regarded significant, this study aimed to compare mental health of athlete and non-athlete female students in Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. This descriptive analytical study consisted of 200 female students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences who were classified into two groups of athletes (case group) and non-athlete (control group) students. Mental health of the selected students was compared utilizing the general health questionnaire including 28 questions (GHQ 28) along with some questions probing for the subjects’ demographic information. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software via univariate t-test, and non-parametric Chi Square test. The study results demonstrated that there was a significant difference in regard with the general health of athlete and non athlete female students (p> 0.05). Among subscales of general health, the highest mean score belonged to social dysfunctions within non-athletes and depression subscale within athletes. Moreover, depression was reported to have the lowest mean score in the both groups. The general health of non-athlete female students was higher than cut point of 23. The study findings demonstrated a better situation of general health within athlete female students compared to non-athlete female students. However, it is worth mentioning that a tendency of higher risks for depression was observed in both groups and general health was reported to be at risk in non-athletes.

Foodborne parasitic diseases are considered common in most parts of the world, which can cause significant health problems. Linguatula serrata is a zoonotic parasite causing human linguatulosis due to consumption of raw and semi-cooked animal offal infected with nymphs of this parasite. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the effect of Electron beam irradiation on death of the Linguatula serrata nymphs isolated from animal products. Linguatula serrata nymphs were irradiated with E-beam irradiation of 1, 2, 3 and 5 kGy doses)15 nymphs were classified into three groups of 5 for each dose). Death time of the nymphs was recorded by examining their movement under a stereomicroscope and then was compared with that of the control group stored at 4 °C. In order to analyze the study data, T-test and ANOVA were utilized setting the significance level at 0.05. The comparison between treatment and control groups demonstrated a statistically significant difference in death time of the nymphs (P 0.05). Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference between the doses of 1, 2 and 3 kGy with dose of 5 kGy (P 0.05) in regard with their lethality speed. The results showed that minimum destruction dose of Linguatula serrata nymphs was 1 kGy and 5 KGy, resulted in a more rapidly death within the nymphs. Regarding the high sensitivity of Linguatula serrata nymphs to E-beam irradiation, this method can be used to enhance the safety of animal products in future.

Pesticides used in agriculture in order to protect crops and plants from pests, diseases and weeds are regarded as one of the major sources of environmental pollution, with produce a negative effect on the health of living organisms, including humans.Therefore this study aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of planting greenhouse operators in Yazd in regard with health hazards associated with pesticide use in 2012-2013. This study was a cross-sectional study, which its population consisted of active nursery operators in Yazd. In this randomized study, 250 samples were selected out of 2233 greenhouse operators and then knowledge, attitudes and behavior of workers were measured using a questionnaire. After the study data were collected and codified, they ere entered into SPSS software. Moreover T-test and ANOVA tests were utilized to compare the average. The results of the present study revealed that out of all greenhouse operators, 134 (6/53%) had received pesticideuse training were trained. Education of 74 (29%) of the operaters were reported at the initial level. Experience of 104 operaters (9/41%) was revealed 6-10 years. 73 (2/29%) of operaters aged between 25 and 35 years. Moreover, the results showed, none of the officers receive the full credit(Maximum knowledge score is 13). Attitudes of 243 operaters towards the use of pesticides in greenhouses was reported at a high level. Performance of 138 operaters were moderate. Although operaters nformation in such fields as precautions when working with pesticides lies relatively at a good level in some other contexts such as respiratory masks for spraying and special work uniform, lack of sufficient information was reported for indicating the need to develop and implement specialized training programs.

Life quality is regarded as one of the important concepts in diabetic mellitus as a chronic disease, which produces extensive effects on the social and individual performance. Regarding the short-term and long- term complications as well as expensive costs of this disease, the present study aimed to determine the life quality of these patients compared to non-diabetic people and ultimately, a structural model was presented. This analytical study was carried out on 250 diabetic and 250 non-diabetic patients in Yazd. The standard life quality questionnaire (whoqol-bref) was utilized as the data collection tool containing a total of 26 questions and 4 domains of physical health, mental health, social health and environmental health. The study data were analyzed using SPSS software (ver.16) and Amos(21). The study results demonstrated a significant difference between life quality of diabetic patients and healthy subjects (p<0.001), and the mean score of all the different domains of questionnaire proved to be lower in patients than healthy subjects. Path coefficients in the structural equation model proved to be significant (p<0.001). The path coefficient between the environmental and social health with the mental health was 0.62 and 0.76 respectively., and, it was reported 0.96 between the physical health and mental health Eighty-six percent of changes of the physical health variable was explained by the mental health variable and 96% of changes of the mental health variable was explained by the social and environmental health. The study findings revealed diabetes as a chronic disease that can severely affect the patients’ life quality. Every type of attempt in structural models of predicting physical health and life quality plays a meaningful role in alleviating these patients’ problems.

Elderly is regarded as a critical period of human life, which the related issues and needs in this period are socially necessitated to be taken into consideration. Studies have shown that living with other family members produces positive effects on the physical and mental health of the elderly. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the perceived social support and life expectancy in both groups of the elderly residents and non-residents of nursing homes in Yazd. In this descriptive study, the population consisted of all elderly residents and non-residents of nursing homes in Yazd, among which 117 patients were selected as the study sample via convenience sampling method. In order to measure the study variables, the social support and life expectancy questionnaires were utilized, and the study data were analyzed applying descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and factor analysis of variance. The study results demonstrated a significant direct relationship between the two variables of social support and life expectancy (P<0/01) within elderly residents and non-residents. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed between the scores of social support and life expectancy in regard with elderly residents and non-residents, elderly men and women, as well as the elderly in the different sub-categories of marital status (P<0/01). The study results revealed that the elderly’s families and children are recommended to possibly take care of them in their own homes in order to promote the elderly’s social and mental health.

Public organizations to improve customer service levels as well as to maintain their position need to develop and implement strategic plans among which entrepreneurial strategies can be mentioned. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the role of organizational creativity on organizational entrepreneurship in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. In this descriptive-correlational study, 347 office workers of Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences were selected via stratified random sampling method. The study instrument entailed two questionnaires of organizational creativity (Dorabjee et.al, 1998) and organizational entrepreneurship (Leonidas & Vassillis, 2007) and the study data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regressions via SPSS software (ver. 17). There was a significant positive correlation between organizational creativity (and its dimensions) and organizational entrepreneurship (p<0/01). Multiple regression results showed that challenge, freedom, trust, humor, conflicts and risk dimensions of the organizational creativity can predict organizational entrepreneurship. In today's competitive and turbulent world, organizations including medical universities, necessitate to have entrepreneurship as well as entrepreneurial staffs. In order to achieve this goal, developing creative and innovative approaches are required, since the findings of the current study revealed that an increase in organizational creativity leads organizational entrepreneurship to rise, as well.

Dye effluents of some industries contain many toxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic compounds therefore, wastewater colored contaminants of such industries should be meticulously refined using an appropriate method before discharging waste-water to the environment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTS) in dye removal of Acid Black 1 (AB1) from colored wastewater. This laboratory study was conducted in the batch system and MWCNTS were used as absorbents to remove AB1 dye. In fact, this study investigated the effect of various factors influencing dye removal, such as adsorbent dose, initial dye concentration, contact time, and pH. The study results showed that pH=3 is regarded the best pH for the dye removal. The equilibrium time for AB1 dye absorption on MWCNTS was 60 minutes. As dye concentration increased, dye removal rate decreased. Besides, increasing the amount of adsorbent increased the dye removal efficiency and at the absorbent dose of 600 mg/L, dye removal efficiency was reported 98.86% and 94.62% for 30 and 50 mg/L dye concentrations respectively. AB1 dye removal followed Langmuir isotherm and Pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The results of absorption studies revealed that increasing the contact time and the absorbent dose as well as reducing the pH lead to an increase in dye removal efficiency. Overall, the study findings demonstrated that MWCNTS could be used as an efficient absorbent in regard with decolorization of azo dyes from wastewater.

Vanadium and its compounds are regarded as important environmental pollutants. Due to its damaging effects on human health as well as environmental health, development of new methods for its removal based on new technologies is of extraordinary importance. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the efficiency of vanadium removal from the effluent collected in the separator tank of Shazand Arak Refinery via the absorbent of modified multi-walled carbon nanotube. This in vitro study was conducted on the oil effluent via the Batch method with concentrations of 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23 ppm, respectively. The effects of such variables as absorbent amount, initial concentration of vanadium solution, pH, temperature and contact time were assessed on the efficiency of vanadium removal by the absorbent. In order to improve the absorbent’s performance, oxidation process was utilized via nitric acid. Moreover, IR spectra as well as SEM images of absorbent were prepared, and the data were matched with isotherms of the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin. The results of the current study showed that the efficiency of vanadium removal from oil effluent by the absorbent reached 99% at 20°C during 130 min, with adsorbent amount of 0/03g and the optimum pH of 5. In addition, absorption equilibrium of the absorbent was consistent with the Freundlich isotherm (R2= 0/995). The study findings revealed that modified multi-walled carbon nanotube can be utilized as an effective adsorbent for the removal of toxic heavy metals from industrial wastewater.

Introdution: Type II diabetes is regarded as the most common form of diabetes. Such factors as genetic history, hypertension, obesity and being overweight involve important risk factors for this disease. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of Type II diabetes within patients aged above 30 years in Meybod. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the data were obtained from a total of 14,276 cases of diabetes and hypertension undergoing screening plan who aged 30 years and above 30. In order to analyze the study data, SPSS software was utilized applying Chi-square test. The prevalence of type II diabetes and pre-diabetic individuals were calculated 12% and 9.5% respectively. The prevalence of type II diabetes was reported significantly higher in rural, female and older individuals. Moreover, the prevalence was reported to be significantly higher within individuals with a history of being overweight, obesity, hypertension, family diabetes, gestational diabetes, abortion, stillbirth or bearing infants over 4000 gram. The study findings revealed that regarding the high prevalence of diabetes in this city, prevention programs as well as early detection of the disease need to be enhanced. Moreover, the particular needs of women, the elderly residents and city inhabitants should be more emphasized. Individuals with a history of family diabetes, gestational diabetes, abortion, stillbirth or bearing infants over 4000 grams should be highly prioritized and more meticulously studied.

Selecting an appropriate landfill site is regarded as one of the most complicated and most difficult stages in the solid waste management, since a great number of environmental, technical, economical, social, and cultural factors should be taken into consideration simultaneously. Therefore, this study aimed to select a suitable landfill site for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) of Lali city. AHP and TOPSIS models as well as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used in regard with selecting a landfill site. Six regions were identified as landfills taking 11 criteria into account in AHP model. Then, TOPSIS model was utilized in order to rank the landfills based on their priority. The best landfill site option was selected with considering 8 new criteria which were determined from similar studies, field visits and experts’ ideas. Since AHP was used for weighting and TOPSIS (a multi-criteria decision making method) was applied for ranking the selected options. Finally, option 4 (located in Khaje Abad village) could obtain the first rank and was introduced as the MSW landfill site of Lali city. The study findings revealed that consolidated use of AHP model and TOPSIS model could be perceived as an appropriate method in order to identify the MSW landfill site.