nader akbari

The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg), as well as peroxide values in 52 samples of lipstick in Karaj, Iran. The Varian Spectra AA-220 atomic absorption spectrometer was utilized to determine the concentration of metals. The average levels of the analyzed metals were in good accordance with the standard levels set by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI 14622). The obtained results illustrated that the mean (±SE) levels of Pb, As, and Hg were 3.029±0.787, 0.546±0.090, and 0.044±0.002 µg/g, respectively. Moreover, the mean peroxide value (2.173±0.314 mEq/kg) was lower than the maximum amount set by ISIRI 14622 )10 mEq/kg). Therefore, a continuous monitoring program to ensure acceptable quality of these products along with an enhancement in the consumers’ awareness of the potential hazards of the regular use of cosmetic products is highly recommended.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant effects on individuals involved in various aspects of the food supply chain, including production, processing, marketing, transportation, and consumption. Recent findings have demonstrated the survival rate of the virus on food surfaces is limited to hours and it can remain viable for several days in the optimum moisture and temperature. Consequently, health organizations in many countries have encouraged the public to heat food before consumption. Food safety specialists declared that heating food is a proper approach to significantly inactivate viruses. It has been recommended that meat products must not be eaten raw or undercooked. However, the increased emphasis on reheating food at home, driven by consumer concerns regarding food safety, has introduced a new set of challenges. It is estimated that this trend may lead to a higher intake of chemically hazardous substances, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, due to the potential formation of heat-induced toxicants. Accordingly, this phenomenon is projected to have significant negative effects on public health during the post-pandemic phase of COVID-19. This paper aims to shed light on the changes in household food preparation habits following the widespread transmission of the virus, while also addressing the concerns surrounding food chemical safety that have arisen as a result of reheating practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Several contaminants such as trace elements can pollute drinking water sources with subsequent toxic effects on humans. These compounds may also accumulate in target organs and result in carcinogenic reactions.

 The concentrations of heavy metals, including arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), copper (1), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), iron (Cd), tin (2), antimony (Sb), chromium (3), and mercury (Hg) were aimed to determine in the drinking water of Tehran, Iran and to assess the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk for consumers.

 A total of 66 tap water samples were collected from 22 regions of Tehran and their heavy metal contents were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks were calculated, using hazard quotient (HQ) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), respectively.

 The findings revealed that the mean concentrations of measured elements were lower than the maximum permissible limits established by Iranian National Standards, United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the World Health Organization (WHO). HQ was less than 1 for all metals except Cr and ILCR was higher than 1× 10-4 for Cr and Cd, which may cause human health risk.

 No carcinogenic effects were posed by heavy metals contamination in the drinking water of Tehran; however, the content of Cr and Cd may cause human health risks because of the high daily intake of tap water throughout the lifetime and the tendency of these metals to accumulate in the human body organs. Therefore, implementing ongoing programs to monitor heavy metals in municipal drinking water and applying appropriate corrective actions to prevent the transfer of these pollutants to drinking water is crucial.

Raw milk is sterile when secreted by healthy cows however it is contaminated with different microorganisms and Streptococci commonly present in the milk ducts as well as teats. The bacterial count in raw milk ranges from a few hundred to several thousand per mL of milk however it is harmful to human health under unpasteurized conditions. Milk sanitization methods rely on the principle of preventing the growth and development of microbes and thus maintaining their nutritional quality. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of microwave radiation on the microbial quality and safety of bovine raw milk. To do so, the effect of microwaves at a frequency of 35 KH and powers of 180, 300 and 850 W for 0, 30, 60 and 90 s on the destruction of pathogens and reduction of microbial load of milk (total bacterial count, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, molds and yeasts) was investigated. The results showed that microwave treatment had a significant effect on reducing the number of microorganisms in milk samples (p <0.0) with the power of  850 W being the most effective power for reducing the number of S. aureus, coliforms, molds, yeasts as well as total bacterial count. Faster heating with higher energy efficiency is the main advantage of the microwave process for foods. In fact, the microwave method can be a potential and effective method for decreasing the microbial load of raw milk.

In the occurrence of natural or man-made crises, the productivity of human forces in crisis management, especially nurses, have enormous importance because saving the lives of nurses is crucial for continued relief and rescue and the correct activities make operations of relief, rescue, and healing successfully. Keeping nurses calm in a crisis guarantees the health and productivity of human resources. The current study was done to determine the hindering factors of nurseschr('39') calm in a crisis.

This qualitative study was conducted from November 2019-February 2020 in Tehran, Iran. Interviews were recorded from 15 expert nurses in the trauma ward of Baqiyatallah hospital and 15 experienced nurses in the National Medical Emergency Organization. Using the three-pronged analysis model of organizational pathology (structural, contextual, content factors) and interviewing experts, the factors that inhibit nurseschr('39') calm in critical situations were identified. Finally, prioritization of the hindering factors of nurseschr('39') calm in crisis was performed by Friedman test and corrective measures related to these factors were examined.

Three main themes were identified as the hindering factors of nurseschr('39') calm in a crisis. These three main themes include factors that lead to emotional turmoil, cognitive confusion, and behavioral perturbation. The sub-categories of each of the three themes include structural, contextual, and content factors. Infection of nurses with viral, chemical and microbial agents, inconsistencies between managers and agencies in charge of crisis management, unfamiliarity with crisis management, problems in the quantity and quality of equipment and medicine, and problems with hospital structures are identified as the most important factors hindering nurseschr('39') calm in a crisis.

Numerous structural, contextual, and content factors have caused nurses to be disrupted in crisis, which can be greatly reduced by the correct implementation of instructions related to crisis management and empowerment and development of nurseschr('39') competencies.

Aflatoxins are highly toxic lead to adverse health effects. Inappropriate storage of sesame seeds may produce aflatoxins that transfer to manufactured oil. Therefore this toxin can transfer to human by consumption of contaminated oil. Regarding this, the present study was carried out to investigate the amount of aflatoxin in cold-press sesame oil in Isfahan, Iran.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 36 cold-press sesame oil samples were randomly selected from active processing plants in Isfahan. Aflatoxins were measured by high performance liquid chromatography in sesame oil.

Total aflatoxin contamination (B1, B2, G1, and G2) was observed in 69.4% of the sesame oil samples. In all the contaminated samples, B1 aflatoxin was detected in mean level of 0.426±0.473 ppb. Furthermore, B2 aflatoxin had a mean level of 0.033±0.106 ppb. However, G1 and G2 aflatoxins were not observed in any of the samples. Accordingly, the level of aflatoxin was lower than the limit defined by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran.

Based on the findings, the aflatoxin level was lower than the acceptable range defined by the national standard. However, the high frequency of aflatoxin contamination in the evaluated sesame oil samples can cause serious health problems after long-term usage, especially with regard to the fact that this product is consumed on a daily basis.

Septoplasty and septorhinoplasty are common surgical procedures in modern surgical practice. Pre or postoperative antibiotic administration has raised concerns about the possible increase in the antibiotic-resistant species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in increasing Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aaureus species (MRSA) in patients, who underwent septoplasty or septorhinoplasty in Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran, Iran. A total of 102 patients, who were planned to undergo septoplasty or septorhinoplasty, participated in this double-blind randomized clinical trial. The patients were divided into the case (n=60, mean age of 28.2 years) and control (n=38, mean age of 28.9 years) groups. Overall, 98 patients participated in the study. The case group received a preoperative injection of cephalothin (1g) and postoperative oral cephalexin regimen (500mg 4 times a day for 7 days). The control group only received a preoperative injection of cephalothin (1g). Vestibular nasal swab cultures were obtained preoperatively and on postoperative day 7. The samples were, then, quickly transferred to the laboratory and cultured on proper media. The results indicated that five MRSA species in the case group and tow MRSA species in the control group were present, postoperatively. The findings of this study suggest that oral antibiotic prophylaxis may lead to a statically non-significant increase in MRSA infection in patients, who require this treatment. Further knowledge of the endogenous nasal flora and the microbiology of common pathogens in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty will help reduce the incidence of infectious complications to a greater level.

Food Safety and Hygiene (FSH) is defined as the proper degree of assurance that food will not cause sickness when it is served by the consumer. The objective of the current study was to assess the attitude and knowledge concerning with FSH among the students of Isfahan University of Medical Science (IUMS). This cross-sectional study was conducted in IUMS in 2018. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire on 331 students of IUMS who were selected through a stratified random sampling. In concerning with FSH and washing hands before food cooking; students had high attitude more than 79% and 65%, respectively. Also, participants had low attitude on other items (more than 60%). Besides, almost 99% of students had high knowledge about production and expiration date of food products. About 73% of students had lower knowledge about keeping bread in the refrigerator. Results revealed that there was a significant difference (p=0.01) between students' attitude and taking courses related to food safety and hygiene and year of university entrance (p=0.02). Furthermore, there was a substantial difference (p=0.02) between students' knowledge and their Field of study. Results showed that there was a focal point for imparting FSH education between students in order to increase their knowledge and attitudes level. Therefore, it is necessary to exactly determine how education and training may result in diminution in foodborne disease risk.

Nutrition education and introduction of procedures for choosing healthier food have an important role to reduce the rate of non-communicable diseases. It was shown the amount of risk factors of non-communicable diseases such as energy, salt, sugar, fat and trans fatty acid on the traffic light of food labelling. The status of risk is presented through three colors of red, yellow and green that are the signs of risk, precautious and safe use of food. The object of this study was to evaluate the influence of education on the knowledge, attitude and practices of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences students to the traffic light on food labeling.
This project was an empirical study performed by random sampling of 379 students of nine schools in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences from January 2017 to March 2018. The knowledge, attitude and practices of students toward the traffic light were assessed by self-administered and structured questionnaire. Education was performed face to face with the usage of pamphlet. In the period of three to six months, questionnaires were refilled out by students to determine knowledge, attitude and practice. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS in mean± SD. Paired t-test was performed to assess the influence of education in total score of knowledge, attitudes and practices in test-retest. P value was considered less than 0.05 as statistically significant.
Before education, the average of scores for knowledge, attitude and practice was 1.12±0.84, 14.44±4 and 2.25±2.2, respectively. Afterwards, the scores were increased to 11.72±0.75, 18.67±3.18 and 17.69±4.7 after education. Significant difference was observed in the scores of knowledge, attitude and practice of students before and after education (P<0.05).
Education of traffic light had a significant role in the improvement of knowledge, attitude and to some extent of practice of students in selection of healthier food.

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is one of the main sources of hearing impairment in children. One of the possible causes of middle ear infection and OME is immune system disorders. Based on previous studies, vitamin D deficiency plays an important role in the incidence of middle ear infections. This study aimed to determine blood levels of vitamin D in children with OME (as an inflammation of the middle ear) in comparison to a control group of patients admitted to Loghman-Hakim hospital in Tehran.Patients and In this case-control study, one hundred twenty children with OME who were admitted to Loghman-Hakim hospital between April 2013 and March 2014 and who were candidates for adenotonsillectomy were studied. They were divided into two groups based on tympanometry. The first group contained patients with OME and hearing loss of Type B or Type C2, and the second group (control) contained patients without OME and tympanometry of Type A or Type C2. On the day of surgery, blood samples were obtained for measurement and comparing of serum levels of vitamin D in the two groups. In this study, 120 children (40 cases and 80 controls) that were candidates for tonsillectomy were studied. The largest number of cases was males (60%). The mean age of patients with otitis media was 5.7 ± 2.6 years-old and in the control group was 7.2 ± 2.2 years-old. The mean levels of vitamin D in children with OME was 26.1 ± 14.6 ng/mL and in children in the control group was 29.5 ± 17.9 ng/mL (P = 0.27). Although there was not a significant relation shown between vitamin D levels between the two groups in our study, the vitamin D level in OME patients was less than in the control group. Therefore, it seems that measuring the level of vitamin D in these patients is necessary, and a deficiency of vitamin D must be treated. In order to achieve certain results with more detail we suggest more studies with larger sample sizes and covering a longer time period are needed on this topic.