مجله طب دریا
پیاپی 3 (پاییز 1398)

Alginates are polysaccharides that found in brown seaweeds, and the most abundant marine biopolymer and, next to cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer in the world. Alginate purification process from brown algae is simple. This goal is feasible by using of diluted mineral acid and sodium carbonate on dried brown algae. The conventional use of alginate as an excipient in drug products generally depends on gel-forming, and stabilizing properties. Alginate gel can be prepared during gelation process with three methods of syringe or droplet, extrusion and fluid methods. The high benefits of this material, such as biocompatibility and biodegradability, have led to an increase in scientists' desire for alginate as a platform to promote the new delivery systems of nano-drugs in recent decades. Release of water-soluble drugs from the alginate gel matrix is generally via diffusion, while low-solubility drugs are released through the alginate matrix erosion. The potential use of the various qualities as pharmaceutical excipients has not been evaluated fully, but alginate is likely to make an important contribution in the development of polymeric delivery systems. The purpose of this article is to explain the structure, properties, method of preparation and application of alginate nanoparticles in pharmaceutical systems.

Among the most common health problems in the world are overweight, obesity, and metabolic diseases associated with inadequate lifestyles and reduced physical activity that affect all societies. The military is no exception to this rule, despite its mobility and physical activity. Although promising ways to treat obesity are expanding, nutrition can still play an important role in preventing lifestyle-related disorders. One of these nutritional issues is the molecular effects of anti-obesity and the regulation of cytokine secretion through the consumption of useful food metabolites such as fucoxanthin.Fucosanthin, a type of carotenoids belonging to xanthophylls, can be isolated from edible seaweed and has recently been reported for its physiological functions and many biological properties. Studies have shown that fucoxanthin can lead to oxidation of fatty acids and heat production in white adipose tissue. Fucoxanthin also improves insulin resistance by regulating the secretion of cytokines and decreases blood glucose levels, thus having an anti-obesity effect. This narrative review has elucidated the structure and metabolism of fucoxanthin, focusing on its potential anti-obesity effects and its mechanisms.

Considering the importance of job stress and its effects on the performance of military forces, this study investigated the level of occupational stress and its relationship with some demographic and employment parameters in some Iranian Navy personnel.

This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on a group of Navy personnel in Iran in 2013. Samples were selected by cluster sampling. The Osipo Job Stress Questionnaire and Demographic Questionnaire was used for data gathering. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18 software.

There were 384 Navy personnel with a mean age of 29.6±4.2 years. The mean score of job stress in all subjects was 163.2±26.1, which is the normal level of job stress. Overall, 13.3% of subjects had no stress, 85.2% had normal stress, 1.3% had moderate stress and 0.3% had severe stress. Severe stress was recorded among senior officers and those employed in official hiring. The highest level of job stress was related to the physical environment with an average of 68.8% and the lowest level of job stress was in ambiguity with an average of 24.2%.

Although 85 % of Navy personnel experience a normal level of stress, severe stress was recorded in senior officers and those employed in official hiring. Also, the highest level of stress was in the physical environment, which required measures to improve work environment conditions and reduce stress in this area.

Calcium and vitamin D are essential nutrients for the physical and mental health of the military. Soldiers and military personnel are always at risk for bone fractures, making them more likely to consume calcium and vitamin D sources such as milk and dairy products. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the consumption of milk and dairy products and the status of calcium and vitamin D intake in the Iranian Navy personnel.

This study was performed on 89 Navy personnel in Bandar Abbas city in 2018. After collecting demographic data, physical activity was recorded using a physical activity questionnaire and calcium and vitamin D intake were recorded with FFQ168. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software.

89 military men with a mean age of 32.6±5.1 years were assessed. The average sleep time was 7.2 hours per day. The average daily energy intake was 2973 kcal. The average intake of the dairy group was 1.2 units/day and the prevalence of calcium deficiency was 77.5%. On average, 20.2% of subjects had vitamin D deficiency and 79.8% of subjects had normal or higher vitamin D intake. Also for calcium, on average 48.3% had lower than standard and 51.7% had normal or high calcium intake.

Many of the Navy subjects had lower dairy and calcium intakes, but for vitamin D, most people showed a standard intake. However, for a more accurate judgment, it is advisable to measure serum vitamin D levels.

The Persian Gulf region has a warm and humid climate and has suitable conditions for the reproduction, biodiversity, and spread of poisoning insects and arachnids. Previous studies have been reported some stinging insects and arachnids including scorpions, bees, wasps, and ants in Persian gulf islands, this study was performed to report more species than other stinging arthropods.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during 2014 in the Triple Iranian Islands, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, Abu-Musa and Qeshm on the Persian Gulf. In this study, direct hunting, hand catching, Pitfall trap, and total catch methods were used for hunting of insects and arachnids. Direct poaching in their natural habitats and hand catching, as well as pitfall trap trapping, were used for the poisonous arthropods, including centipedes. For the capture of poisonous spiders, the method of searching and catching them in dark and damp places such as warehouses, roofs, etc., as well as the Total Catch method was used. The Spider-like were also hunted around the places by night searches. Samples were conserved in 70% alcohol and moved to the Health Research Center laboratory. Systematically identification was done by the use of valid diagnostic keys.

In this study, 38 highly toxic centipedes (Scolopendra valid) were captured and identified and 70 more were identified as Scolopendra spp. 158 spiders were also captured. In the meantime, three specimens of the extremely dangerous and poisonous red-backed black widow (Latrodectus hasselti) were captured from the old village and Souza area and Qeshm city on Qeshm Island. In addition, 28 Spider-like were captured from the camel spider group in the military environment of the old village on Qeshm Island. Giant camel spiders were identified from the Galeodidae family.

In this survey, more species of stinging/biting arachnids were reported from Triple Iranian Islands and Qeshm and therefore more information was obtained from poisoning arthropod fauna in the islands. Also the findings from these studies, in addition to awareness of species distribution, can be useful in the management and control of these arachnids and may help in future biological studies.

Flying boats are aerodynamic marine vessels that fly at low altitudes. Physical damage from maritime missions in variable climatic conditions and normal or operational conditions with these flying boats can cause mechanical and vibrational damage due to flight shocks. This study aimed to investigate the ergonomics of flying boats in accordance with the physical and physiological conditions of pilots in Iran.

In a pilot study, 6 pilots employed in flying boats in Iran in 2013 were surveyed. Physical (musculoskeletal, auditory, visual, skin) and mental (stress and anxiety) problems associated with working in a flying boat were documented by a specialist physician. A field visit was conducted on the ergonomic aspects of the various components of the flying boat and a semi-structured interview was carried out with the pilots.

The mean age of 6 flying boat pilots was 24.8±6.2 years. All pilots suffered from musculoskeletal injuries, arthritis, and back pain and hearing loss. All the pilots were in a state of anxiety during the flight or landing. Shocks and vibrations due to ups and downs, annoying sound of the flying boat engine over the pilot's head, lack of cooling system and lack of proper clothing, lack of ergonomic principles in seat and cabin design, inadequate training of the pilots were recorded during field visits and pilot interviews.

Pilots employed in flying boats are at risk of physical and psychological injury due to inadequate ergonomic factors of these boats as well as unsuitable seats and inadequate training. All of the pilots in this study suffered from these injuries. By taking these into account in the redesign of this flying boat and adequate training of the pilots to maintain their health, performance levels can also be improved.

In the planning and evaluation of hospital services, patient satisfaction is an important indicator of the quality of health care that is repeatedly used. The purpose of the current study was to determine the level of hospitalized patients' satisfaction with the services provided in a Navy hospital.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 234 patients who were discharged from one of the Navy hospitals in Tehran, Iran in 2019. The data gathering tool was a patient satisfaction questionnaire designed and validated by the experts. The questionnaire assessed patient satisfaction in two parts: medical care services; physicians and nurses, health and hygiene services, and non-medical services including nutritional status, amenities, admission services, staff ethics, discharge, and religious observance. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software.

The mean and standard deviation of the age of patients were 45.4±12.2 years, 72.2% were male and 78.6% were married. The mean and standard deviation of the total score of patient satisfaction in medical care and non-medical services was 96.3±10.7 and 121.5±16.8, respectively. In the medical care services, the satisfaction from physicians and nurses was higher than satisfaction from hygiene services, and in the non-medical services, the highest level of satisfaction was observed in the reception and also welfare services had the lowest satisfaction level. The type of ward had a significant relationship with patient satisfaction (P<0.05). Other demographic data such as age, gender, marital status, hospitalization, and type of insurance were not significantly correlated with satisfaction level.

Given the higher satisfaction of patients with medical care services than non-medical services, a reconsidering of hospital management practices is needed to improve patient satisfaction in these services.