m. falahati

Determining methods for assessing heat stress in different work environments is one of the major challenges for researchers in this field. The purpose of this study was to validate WBGT index and heat pressure assessment (HPA) by some physiological responses in Iranian South Oil Company.

This descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 154 employees of Kharg, Asalouyeh and Mahshahr oil terminals recruited from three different working conditions including indoor, outdoor and rest environments in the summer. The amount of heat stress in the workplace was evaluated by WBGT index HPA method. To meet this purpose, the environmental parameters i.e., temperature, wet temperature, radiation temperature, relative humidity, water vapor pressure and air flow rate were determined. In addition to the direct reading method by the WBGT meter, ISO 7243 was used to calculate the WBGT index. In order to validate the heat stress indicators, physiological parameters of oral temperature, tympanic temperature and work metabolism were measured.

The results of paired sample t-test showed a significant difference between WBGT index and HPA in indoor and outdoor environment (P<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant difference between the physiological indices of oral and tympanic temperatures and work metabolism in the indoor and outdoor environment (P<0.05). Furthermore, the correlation test was significant between WBGT index as an independent variable and HPA as a dependent variable (P<0.05)  and showed a high correlation (R2=0.914) between WBGT index with oral temperature and tympanic temperature . Also, the rate of work metabolism was significantly related with the aforementioned parameters (P<0.05) and was equal to R2=0.423, R2=0.335, R2=0.552, respectively. The correlations were also significant between HPA with Oral temperature, tympanic temperature and work metabolism (P<0.05)and were equal to R2=0.632, R2=0.605, R2=0.557, respectively. The results showed also that the correlation rate between the HPA with physiological parameters is stronger than that between physiological parameters with the WBGT index.

This study showed that WBGT and HPA methods are useful for assessing the heat stress of Iranian South Oil Company. Also, the HPA method is more reliable for assessing heat stress in these regions.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) encompass several entities with different etiologies. Considering the high prevalence of TMD and the effect of this complication on the development of orofacial complications, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of TMD and its associated factors in patients referring to the Department of Prosthodontics of the Dental School of Isfahan Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 202 patients for TMD evaluation. Standardized checklists and paraclinical measures were used. SPSS was used with chi-square test, t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to perform the statistical analysis with the level of significance set at P<0.05.

The prevalence of TMD in 202 patients was 43.6%. The average age of TMD patients was significantly higher than that of people without TMD (P=0.012). There was a significant difference between the two groups (with and without TMD) in the history of maxillofacial trauma (P=0.014) and restricted mouth opening (P=0.02). The Dawson classification, maxillofacial surgery, orthodontic treatment (P=0.42), and parafunctional habits (P=0.46) were not significantly different between the two groups.

Since the frequency of TMD is remarkably high, dentists should look for signs of TMD on a routine schedule to minimize the long-term effects of this disorder. There was no significant relationship between TMD and the related factors, except for the trauma. It is recommended to study the etiology of this disease considering its recognized complications.

Cryptosporidium is zoonotic coccidian parasite that causes severe diarrhea in humans and animals worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the soil contamination rate with Cryptosporidium oocysts of different public places in Tabriz, west of Iran.

In this cross sectional study, 260 soil samples were collected by stratified sampling from 20 parks, 20 primary schools, 20 kindergartens, 10 street gardens, 60 backyards and 2 bus terminals. Soil samples were investigated by flotation technique using sucrose solution and stained by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. Data were analyzed with chi-square test, and P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Cryptosporidium oocysts were observed in 48 (18.5%) out of 260 collected soil samples. No statistically difference was observed among the 10 regions with the Cryptosporidium contamination in examined places in Tabriz city (p> 0.05). The highest contamination rate was observed in street gardens and backyards (23.3%) and the lowest rate was found in primary schools (12.5%).

Based on the results of the present study, high contamination of soil with Cryptosporidium in Tabriz should be considered as a serious health problem, especially for children and immunocompromised patients. Taken together, soils from region 1 and 8 of Tabriz could be a potential source for Cryptosporidium infection.

Happiness is one of the most important mental needs of mankind which has a major impact on personality and mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy and Logotherapy on happiness of veterans' spouses.

In this semi experimental study with pretest-posttest design, with two case groups and one witness group, 60 people of veterans' spouses were studied in Tehran in 2017. The subjects were selected using simple random sampling method and were randomly assigned into acceptance and commitment therapy, Logotherapy and witness group (n=20 in each group). Case groups were treated in 9 sessions in 120 minutes and the witness group received no cure. The research tools were a demographic questionnaire and oxford happiness questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18 software, through one-way analysis of covariance and Tukey's post hoc test.

By controlling the effects of pretest scores, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of happiness of the groups in the posttest step (F=10.827; p<0.001). The mean scores of happiness in the acceptance and commitment therapy group (p<0.001) and the Logotherapy group (p=0.008) had significant difference in comparison to the witness group. There was no significant difference between two case groups and both methods had the same effectiveness (p>0.05).

Both acceptance and commitment therapy and Logotherapy are effective in increasing the happiness of veterans' spouses.