---

Introduction: Production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species is an integral part of aerobic metabolism. Disturbance of the balance between the production of free radicals and antioxidant system against them produces oxidative stress. Paraquat toxicity is induction of oxidative stress. However, the aim of our study was to evaluate oxidative stress in blood samples of workers in a pesticide factory formulating paraquat.
Materials and Methods: In this study we measured lipid peroxidation (LPO) with thiobarbituric assay (TBARS), total antioxident power (FRAP) and SH groups between workers in pesticide factories (case group) and health subjects (control group).
Results: Oxidative stress was significantly higher (p<0.001) in LPO, significantly lower (p<0.001) in TBARS and significantly lower (p<0.001) in SH groups in the case group compared to control group
Conclusion: It is concluded that chronic exposure of workers in their workplace to paraquat producess oxidative stress that could be prevented by well known nutritional antioxidant supplements.

---

Introduction: Pain is one of the main complaints of many postoperative patients. Narcotic and NSAID drugs are used to control postoperative pain.
Recent studies suggest different results of pain relief by NSAID group. We compared analgesic effects of intramucular Pethedine to Didofenac Sodium and Indomethacin suppositories due to inguinal hernioplasty.
Materials and Methods: This study was a clinical trial study over 55 patients of 17-60 years old who underWent unilateral inguinal hernioplasty.
These patients divided into 3 groups. The first group included 17 patients who received 100 mg Indomethacin suppository every 8 hours to relief postoperative pain. The second group of 18 patients who received 100 mg Diclofenac Sodium suppository every 8 hours and the third group induded 20 patients who received 0.5 mg/kg body weight Pethedine intramuscularly every 8 hours. The first dose of each drug started 2 hours after termination of operation. Tue sevrity of pain was checked by visual analogue scale method every 2 hours for 24 hours. Mean pain severity recoded and compared in 6 hours intervals.
Results: The averages of pain severity in the first 24 hours were 23±12 for Indomethacin, 31±9 for Pthedine and 27±12 hours for Diclofenac Sodium groups. There was no significant difference in whole 24 hours.
Conclusion: We concluded that Indomethacin and Diclofenac Sodium suppositories are good substitutes for intramuscular Pethedine to relief postoperation pain during the first postoperation day.

---

Introduction: Oxidative  stress is  one  of  the  factors  producing  poisoning  during  chronic  exposure  to  organophpsphporous  poisons.  In  this  research  we  studied  oxidative  stress  status  and  acetycholinesterase  in  pesticide  manufacturing  workers.
Materials  and  Methods: This  is  a  cross-sectional  analytical  study  in  which  45  organophopsphorous (OP)  formulating  pesticide  workers  with  a  minimum  work  history  of  1  year  in  the  age  range  of  23-35  were  studied. Controls  were  age–matched  workers  of  a  food-making  factory.  They  were  evaluated  for  oxidative  stress  markers, including  Tthiobarbituric  acid-reactive  substances (TBARS)  indicator  of  lipid  peroxidation (LPO), ferric  reducing  ability  of  plasma (FRAP)  indicator  of  total  antioxidant  capacity, total  Thiol (SH)  groups  and Gammaglutamyl  transpeptidase (GGT)  levels  in  blood  and  ACHE  activity  in  erythrocytes.
Results: The  results  showed  marked  inhibition  of ACHE, increased  TBARS, decreased  FRAP  and  decreased  Thiol  group  level  in  workers.  The  reduction  in  activity  of  ACHE  correlated  well  with  increased  TBARS  and  decreased  FRAP  in  OP  formualtors.
Conclusion: It  is  concluded  that  Op-formulating  workers  are  exposed  to  more  oxidative  stress. The  measurement  of  erythrocyte  ACHE  activity  in  pesticide  workers  who  formulate  Ops  can  be  a  good  monitoring  factor  and  is  recommended  to  be  performed  in  a  regular  manner.
 

---

Background: Inappropriate feeding is one of the major causes of malnutrition in children. This study was carried out to get an insight into mothers’ views and beliefs about the role of complementary feeding in children under the age of two. Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, data were collected through 11 focus-group discussions (FGDs) with mothers, who had children under the age of two, in urban and rural areas of Damavand in 2007. Each FGD was held in the presence of a moderator, two note takers, and an observer. At the end of field work, all notes were collected and coded according to the objectives of the study. Then the subgroups for each objective were obtained, and emerging themes were extracted and reported. Results: In the study, six general themes were identified:(1) The mothers viewed complementary feeding as simple, soft, light foods which are especially made for children (2) the best time for introducing complementary feeding was 6 months of age (3) there were no complementary local foods in Damavand (4) for children under the age of one, a different type of food was separately prepared (5) home-made complementary food was preferred over the ready made type, and (6) children were fed with table food from the first year of life. Conclusion: Despite their sufficient knowledge about the advantages of complementary feeding, the majority of mothers, due to some socio-cultural limitations, had a weak performance. In this regard, in addition to making revisions in current training programs and protocols, providing effective and goal-oriented educational programs for mothers and others who take care of children is strongly recommended.

---

Background: Postoperative ileus after appendectomy causes gas storage, distention, nausea, vomiting, and even pain. Gum chewing is one of the ways that can reduce the duration of temporary ileus. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of gum chewing on bowel movements following appendectomy. Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind clinical trial was done on 46 patients undergoing appendectomy that were divided into equal treatment and control groups. The treatment group chewed gum three times, each time for 20 minutes, 4, 10 , and 18 hours after recovery from anesthesia. The control group, however, did not receive any special treatments. The bowel sounds were monitored every two hours using stethoscope. Also, through running interviews with two hour intervals, data were collected regarding the first passage of flatus and defecation. Data were analyzed through SPSS and t-test. Results: On average, the first bowel sounds in treatment and control groups were, respectively, heard at 2.08±0.41 and 3.13±1.45 hours, whereas gas passage in treatment and control groups was reported at 26.8±14.59 and 50.08±13.92 hours, respectively. Also, the first defecation in the treatment group occurred at 18.91±10.77 hour but in the control group this happened at 29.21±12.11 hour. Based on these observations, a significant difference was seen between the two groups in terms of the test results (p=0.002). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that chewing gum can help bowel movements after appendectomy.

---

Background: Lead (Pb) brings about a variety of cognitive, mental, renal, and blood system disorders by inducing oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to compare blood and urine parameters in the workers exposed to Pb and zinc (Zn) with those in the control group. Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with a total number of 134 subjects. The case group included 67 male workers with the age range of 22-65 who had at least worked a minimum of one work shift for two years in the Zn-Pb mine located in the southwest of Arak, Iran. Control subjects consisted of 67 farmers of a village near the mine who had no history of occupational exposure to Pb, Zn, and other metals. Mental disorders were evaluated through the standard Scl-90-R while cognitive disorders were evaluated via the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE). Results: The mean level of blood and urine parameters did not reveal significant differences between the two groups. The mean scores of physical complaints, anxiety, and aggression scales were significantly higher in the case group than the control (p<0.05), whereas the mean scores on MMSE did not reveal a significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The oxidative stress of Pb led to mental disorders as a result, the mine workers suffered from more psycho- pathology and are in need of greater care. Due to the impacts of Pb and Zn, the proper use of safety equipments and taking daily showers can reduce the risk of absorption of toxic agents and their subsequent hazards for workers.

---

Introduction: Paints are composed of extensive variety of hazardous substances, such as organic solvents and heavy metals. Occupational exposure to paint increases oxidative stress, hematological disorders, and DNA injury. This study was performed to explore the beneficial effects of Selvit on the paint workers by measuring total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and blood parameters as main oxidative stress biomarkers.

Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 25 male workers who worked in the paint factory. Serum markers such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and also hematological parameters were measured before and after using Selvit (14 days). SPSS software was used for data analyses and paired t-test and Pearson correlation analysis were applied.

Results: Results showed that after using the Selvit, an increase in TAC and a decrease in LPO were observed but they were not significant. Also, aspartate transaninase significantly decreased after using Selvit and high density lipoprotein significantly increased.

Conclusion: Selvit have beneficial effect on hematological parameters due to its antioxidant capacity.

---

Background: The current paper set out to investigate the level of asbestos fiber and asbestos body in sputum and assayed of haematological factors, liver enzymes and pulmonary function test in asbestos exposed group.

Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with a total number of 100 subjects. The case group included 50 male workers with the age range of 25-60 who had at least worked for five years in the asbestos-cement factory. Control subjects consisted of 50 people who had no history of occupational exposure to asbestos. Lung function tests were measured with a portable calibrated vitalograph-PFT spirometer. liver enzymes were assayed with Pars Azmoon kits. Counts of red blood cells and white blood cells were assayed with a cell counter. We used light polarizan microscope to study the level of asbestos fiber and asbestos body in sputum.

Results: Asbestos fiber observed in sputum sample of workers and type of asbestos fiber is chrysotile. Asbestos bodies were found in only 10% of the workers. Decrease (but not significant) in lung function factors (FVC, FEV1, FVC/FEV1) had been seen in the workers in compare with control group. WBC, Eosinophil, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and liver enzymes levels were significantly higher (but in normal range) in workers as compared with the control group.

Conclusion: Presence of asbestos fiber and asbestos body in workers sputum samples showed workers exposure to asbestos and reduced level (insignificant) of lung function factors and increased level of leukocyte may be indicated pulmonary inflammation. These results also suggested that occupational exposure to asbestos dust may perturb liver mal function parameters

---

Background: Heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) is commonly seen in adults. It is possible that old patients with HFNEF have severe clinical status. The aim of current study is to evaluate clinical and echocardiographic findings in old patients compared to young patients with HFNEF.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, 126 patients with HFNEF were evaluated in two groups of patients &ge60 years old (n=52) and <60 years old (n=74) for demographic, clinical and echocardiographic findings.

Results: Patients &ge60 years old had significantly more hyperlipidemia, less hypertension and more FC II. Patients &ge60 years old also had significantly larger septal wall thickness, lower end diastolic and systolic volume, end systolic diameter, E/A ratio and septal E’, lower diastolic dysfunction grade, higher left ventricle ejection fraction, left atrial volume index, E/E’ ratio and deceleration time compared to patients <60 years old.

Conclusion: Old patients with HFNEF have different clinical and echocardiographic findings compared to younger patients which are indicative of the disease severity in some cases. So, exact evaluation of the patients could be helpful in early diagnosis of these patients and providing an adequate treatment.