مجله فیض
سال پانزدهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 60، زمستان 1390)

Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain resulting from injury to the peripheral or central nervous system. Moreover, lithium is the main medication used to treat bipolar (manic-depression) disorder and some recent studies have also confirmed the neuroprotective effects of lithium. Considering the most common cause of neuropathic pain, nerve injury, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of lithium on neuropathic pain induced by partial ligation of sciatic nerve in rat.

This experimental study was conducted on 40 adult male rats. Neuropathic pain was induced by a partial sciatic nerve ligation model and animals were randomly divided into five groups: a control group that underwent the surgical procedure without sciatic nerve ligation and four experimental groups which received normal saline and different doses of lithium (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg, i.p.). Heat hyperalgesia, mechanical and cold allodynia were assessed at 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days after surgery.

According to the results, lithium (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg) significantly reduced heat hyperalgesia and cold allodynia induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation (P<0.01), while it reduced mechanical allodynia only at high doses (10 and 15 mg/kg).

Lithium has an analgesic effect on neuropathic pain induced by partial ligation of sciatic nerve in rat. Further investigations would be needed to confirm the analgesic effect of lithium and its mechanisms of action in neuropathic pain.

Biosurfactants are unique amphipathic molecules with extensive application in removing organic and metal contaminants. The purpose of this study was to isolate the biosurfactant-producing bacteria and characterize the surface-active properties of the metabolites produced.

This study was conducted in three Caspian Sea coastal regions in Babolsar during 2007-8. In primary screening, hemolytic and emulsifying activities were performed on blood agar plates and in culture medium, respectively and then the reduction in the surface tension, as a biosurfactant-producing index, was determined quantitatively by captive drop cell instrument. The isolated strain was also investigated for its ability to use different hydrocarbon pollutants using the surface tension measurement.

One out of 10 different strains exhibited high ability to produce biosurfactant. This strain called Caspian petroleum A1 (CPA1). Biochemical tests showed that CPA1 classified in aerobic gram-negative cocci, neisseriaceae family and acinetobacter genus. CPA1 utilized crude oil and gasoline, as carbon and energy sources, to reduce the surface tension of culture medium from 71 to 42 and 39 mN/m.

CPA1, as a biosurfactant-producer, was isolated and identified based on potential for biodegradation of hydrocarbon pollutants (e.g. crude oil, gasoline, anthracen and naphthalene).

It has been hypothesized that obesity and disturbance in glucose metabolism can play an important role in the development of asthma. There is accumulating evidence in the literature that obesity can increase both the incidence and severity of asthma. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, and blood glucose levels in overweight and obese adult patients with asthma.

Forty-fine obese or overweight men (age 38-50 years) with mild-to-moderate asthma referred to Saveh health centers participated in this study. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, and adiponectin levels were measured. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was applied to evaluate beta-cell function using fasting glucose and insulin levels. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient.

The results of this study showed that there was a significant relationship between the serum adiponectin and FEV1/FVC, FEV1 and FVC in asthma patients. In addition, serum adiponectin level was positively correlated with insulin and beta-cell function, but negatively with fasting glucose level.

According to the results, there is a negative correlation between serum adiponectin levels and blood glucose concentration in adult asthmatic patients. Furthermore, our findings showed that the reduction of systemic adiponectin level influences blood glucose concentration via insulin level and beta-cell function.

Adolescence is one of the most critical stages of human development. Low self-esteem is one of the problems that most adolescents often face with. Moreover, low self-esteem can cause other psychological disorders (e.g. anxiety, depression and drug abuse). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between mother's and daughter's self-esteem.

In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 474 students were randomly selected among the Kashan's high schools during 2009-10. They were divided into three equal groups (low, average and high self-esteem) who met the inclusion criteria (ages 13-19, living with biological parents and without experiencing severe stress over the last year). Izink standard test and a researcher-made questionnaire were also used to assess both the mother's and daughter's self-esteem; scores less than 14 were considered as low self-esteem.

There was a significant relationship between mother's and daughter's self-esteem (OR= 3.24, CI= 2.1-4.85, r=0.416). Seventy-six percent of mothers with low self-esteem had also daughters with low self-esteem. Moreover, while no significant relation was seen between the student's self-esteem and age, education level, birth order and number of brothers and sisters, but there was a significant relationship between the student's self-esteem and intimacy with mother, number of close friends, the average school scores in last year, extracurricular activities, feeling of success, popularity among friends and satisfaction with height and weight.

Our study showed a positive correlation between mother's and daughter's self-esteem.

Considering the importance of chemical and physical parameters such as temperature, moisture, pH and carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio in producing compost, the purpose of this study was aimed to evaluate these parameters in producing compost by stack method.

This descriptive study was carried out on municipal solid waste generated in Kashan during a 63-day period from Oct 3 to Dec 4, 2010. Compost samples were taken from the top one-third, the center and also the bottom of the compost pile and mixed; the compost pile was aerated (if necessary). Thereafter, samples were analyzed for carbon and nitrogen content using Fourti method.

The initial temperature of the compost pile was 38°C and then increased to 65°C at the 9th day, and reached to 26°C at the last day of composting. The moisture at the beginning of the process was 67.5%, increased to 73% at the 5th day and decreased to 38% at the last day. The initial pH of the compost was 5.5, increased during the compost process, and reached an optimal value of 7.7 at the end of the process. The C:N ratio at the beginning of the process was 35:1 and in mature compost decreased to 12.5:1.

Presence of actinomycetes and the dark-brown color of the prepared compost on the 63rd day of composting indicate that the compost meets the required standards. Consequently, the implementation of this method is suitable for tropical cities like Kashan.

Job stress, the most important factor in reducing organizational productivity and the cause of psychosomatic disorders, today is more prevalent among the healthcare staff. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the level of job stress among the nursing staff of Kashan hospitals during 2009.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 190 nurses of Kashan hospitals using the Osipow questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic data and six stress-inducing work roles (role overload, role insufficiency, role ambiguity, role boundary, responsibility and physical environment). In addition, job stress was divided into four (subnormal, normal, moderate and severe) levels.

Results indicated that the 95.3% of nursing staff were found to have a normal level of job stress. No significant relationship was seen between the job stress and gender; however, there was a significant relation between the role insufficiency, role boundary, responsibility and physical environment and gender. Moreover, no significant relationship was found between the job stress and some factors (e.g. age, education, marital status, income and type of hospital). The most frequent job stressors among the men and women were responsibility (90.2%) and role ambiguity (40.9%), respectively.

Role ambiguity, responsibility and workload are the major sources of stress among the nursing staff.

Suicide is a major public health problem in developing countries which depending on geographical area, several factors have been associated with its prevalence and incidence. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of attempted suicide and its related factors in Kashan during 2003-8.

This cross-sectional study was performed on all suicide attempters referred to Kashan health centers during 2003-8. Patient's demographic information, manner, outcome and a previous history of suicide attempts were recorded on a questionnaire by interviewing patients or their families.

There were 2867 suicide cases during the study period. Most of them were in age range of 25-35 years. Fifty-nine percent of patients were female and 56% married. Drug abuse was the most common method of suicide (79%). So, an overall attempted suicide rate was 119 per 100000 people in Kashan during 2003-8 and there were only 29 cases (1.1%) of successful suicide.

Although the rate of attempted suicide are high in this city, the rate for successful suicide is very low. Therefore, this problem and its related factors need to be considered by health managers.

Kashan rural water and wastewater company (KRWWC) in Iran is facing a multitude of problems including some potential health risks associated with pipe corrosion byproducts, their early deterioration, the occasional interruption of the water supplies and also huge operation costs. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the corrosive and scale-forming properties of water in Kashan villages.

This descriptive study was carried out on 151 water samples taken from 39 rural water supplies in 4 stages during 2007-9. All samples were analyzed for total hardness, calcium, alkalinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), bicarbonate, temperature and pH according to the last edition of the Standard Methods Book and then Ryznar, Langelier and Puckorius indices were calculated. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and Paired t-test followed by Bonferroni correction.

According to Ryznar, Puckorius and Langelier indices, 95%, 97% and 74% of the water supplies in all seasons were corrosive, respectively. Moreover, according to the three above-mentioned indices, 18 villages (46.15%) under the coverage of Kashan rural water and wastewater company have always had corrosive water and there was also no significant difference in water quality between the seasons.

Results showed that most water supplies are corrosive and a few of them are scale-forming. Hence, application of suitable plumbing utensils, turn on/off bypass pumps and valves and if necessary, appropriate water treatment are recommended.