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Introduction: Sensory stimulation of comatos patients is an important nursing intervention for increasing their LOC and tactile stimulation especially massage is one of the most important stimulations. The nurse as a person, who is responsible for this, must know the effects of this intervention on patients. But there are some conflicts about this intervention's effects especially on vital signs (pulse, blood pressure and respiration). This study was done to determine the effect of massage on comatos patient's vital signs who were hospitalized in intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: This study is a clinical trial. Samples were consisted of 100 comatos patients, divided into two equal groups randomly. The two groups were matched in age, geneder and glascow coma scale. Samples in experimental group received 20 minutes massage on their back, feet and hands in three continuous days. Vital signs in experimental group were measured before and immediately after intervention and vital signs in control group were measured at the same time with experimental group. A check list used was used for collecting data. Data was analyzed using descriptive and analytic statistics (T, paired T and Chi-square tests). Results: Findings showed that massage decreased vital signs significantly as followed: pulse rate and diastolic blood pressure in each three days (p<0.05), systolic blood pressure in first and third days (p<0.05), respiration rate in second day (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that massage can decrease comatos patients' vital signs which can be the indicator of their relaxation and decreasing stress.

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Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an important pathogenic protozoan. This parasite can cause severe infection and may lead to abortion. Abnormal levels of cholesterol and other lipids in blood samples of infected persons have raised some questions on the role of these factors in the pathogenesis of Toxoplasma.This study aimed to measure and compare lipid and testosterone levels and the relationship between them among a selected group of men with and without Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody.  

Materials and Methods: This case – control study was conducted on a group of 20 to 29 years old men referred to the pre-marital clinics in Arak city in 2012. After completing a questionnaire, a blood sample (5 ml) was taken from each subject. Then, required diagnostic tests for toxoplasmosis was conducted. According to diagnostic results, 100 men with Toxoplasma antibodies were defined as cases and another group with equal number but without antibodies was defined as controls. Then, levels of testosterone and lipids in serum of these two groups were measured and compared.

Results:  Findings showed that testosterone levels were in normal range in both cases and controls, but the hormone level was significantly lower among cases. There was no significant difference in terms of serum lipid levels.

Conclusion:  Examination of relationship between blood testosterone and lipids levels among cases and controls showed that there was a significant negative correlation between testosterone and triglyceride levels. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between testosterone and HDL levels.

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Background: Toxocariasis is a parasitic disease caused by presence of Toxocara larva in human body. Soil as a reservoir maintained eggs of parasite and has important role in dissemination of disease because dogs and cats defecate eggs of parasite by feces. Despite there are large number of stray cats and dogs in urban areas such as Arak city, we need to collect information about soil pollution in public places. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate soil contamination with Toxocara eggs in public parks in Arak city.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 soil samples were collected from 15 public parks in the Arak city during the summer 2015. The soil samples were provided by flotation method and examined by microscope.

Results: The results of this study showed that 4 (26.6%) of 15 parks were infected with Toxocara eggs. The highest rate of infection was observed in the walking and picnic site of parks. Also, in this study, two contaminated parks were located in the center and two parks were located in the southeastern of city.

Conclusion: Considering that soil contamination with Toxocara eggs was high in Arak city, it seems that the health authorities should design and implement programs in order to prevent human infection.