Ahmad Alipour, Seyed Mohammad Siadati,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (12-2006)
Abstract
Introduction:Final examinations are important stressors in schools and universities that result in different psychoneuroimmunological outcomes but the study of these effects on children has not been paid enough attention to. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of final examinations on salivary immunoglubulin A in children. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial a total of 100 children (50 boys, 50 girls) in 5th grade, aged less than 12 years from two primary schools of 5th educational district in Tehran were choosen randomly. The subjects completed Test Anxiety Scales of Sarason & Abolghasemi. After making sure of their physical and mental health by reviewing their medical history, clinical examinations and after controlling sleep, food, drug and sport variables, based on time series design, salivary IgA samples were taken five times as followed: one week before and then three times through mathematics, history and science exams and at last one week after passing the exams at, 9 to 10 am. IgA samples were analyzed by nephlometry method. Data was analyzed using ANOVA. Results: Findings indicated that IgA level was decreased significantly during examinations comparing to IgA levels before and after examinations (p=0.01). The relations of sex and anxiety scores were not statistically significant. It means that decreased IgA levels are the same in all children. Conclusion: Final examinations as a stress resource, diminishes IgA and this change is not related to sex and test anxiety score.
Seyed Hamed Mirhoseini, Fatemeh Ariyan, Samaneh Mohammadi,
Volume 22, Issue 6 (1-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The assessment of indoor air quality and detection of its microbial pollutants in classrooms is very important because of the presence of children sensitive to these pollutants. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration and characterization of dominant species of biological aerosols and their relationship with environmental factors in two selected primary schools in Arak, Iran.
Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two primary schools in Arak, Iran in Fall 2018. Indoor air sampling was performed using single-stage Andersen microbial sampler (at flow rate of 28.3 liters/min) containing bacterial and fungal culture media. The effects of suspended Particulate Matter (PM) and environmental parameters (temperature and humidity) on the density of bioaerosols were evaluated.
Ethical Considerations: This study with an ethics code of IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.76 was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Arak University of Medical Sciences.
Results: The overall mean density of indoor bacteria and fungi was 448 cfu/m3 and 394 cfu/m3, while the mean density of outdoor bacteria and fungi was 210 cfu/m3 and 127 cfu/m3, respectively. There was a positive correlation between indoor density of airborne bacteria and suspected PM concentrations (PM 10 and PM 2.5), and between PM2.5 concentration and indoor fungal density (P<0.05). Penicillium (40%), Cladosporium (19%) and Aspergillus (16%) were dominant species of fungi, while Staphylococcus (42%), Micrococcus (28%), Bacillus (21%) were the dominant species of bacteria.
Conclusion: The age and type of building and the density of students in a classroom are the main factors in increasing the concentration of bioaerosols.
