Journal of community health research

226-231

Authors: Mohammad Hossien Salmani Nodoushan, Zinab Rezai , Valiallah Nassiri, Farokhlegha Servat, Mahdieh Delikhoon

Abstract Introduction: Zinc plays a vital role in various biological functions and physical growth. More than 300 enzymes in body need zinc for proper function. In this study, the concentration of the zinc micronutrient in breast milk was evaluated and analyzed at the first month of breastfeeding. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study of 150 breastfeeding mothers in the 2014 that had given birth in Yazd and were sampled in a simple way. Sampling was done exclusively in the health and treatment centers in the city, in the spring of 2014. 10- 20 ml samples of breast milk were taken manually in the morning and before infants' feeding, in 3 times of 5, 15 and 30 days after delivery, to measure the micronutrient of zinc. The concentration of zinc was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data obtained by questionnaires and atomic absorption was analyzed by ANOVA test. Results: The average age of mothers was 27.40 ± 4.67 years. The average level of zinc in breast milk was 2.60 ± 0.35 mg/l. The zinc concentration of breast milk was at the bottom of the standard range of zinc in breast milk. There was no significant relationship between zinc averages in milk with education, age, BMI and mothers' job. But, there was a direct relationship between zinc levels of breast milk with mothers' BMI. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it seems that addition of zinc to the diet of breastfeeding mothers helps to prevent zinc deficiency in mothers' blood serum as well as children's nutrition.

242-252

Authors: Rahil Emami , Mohammad Taghi Ghaneian, Ali Jebali , Seyed Hossein Hekmati Moghaddam, Mohammad Hasan Ehrampoush, Asghar MoslehArani

Abstract Introduction: Zhumeria majdae is an herbal plant which is only found in Hormozgan province. The aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial property and toxicity of essential oil (EO) and encapsulated form of the essential oil (EFEO) of Zhumeria majdae. Materials and Methods: First, the plant was dried, grinded, and its EO extracted by hydrodistallation. Then, the EO was encapsulated by lecithin. Antimicrobial activity of EO and EFEO was evaluated by micro dilution broth method, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined.For toxicity test, serial concentrations of EO and EFEO were incubated with mouse skin cells, and then cell viability was calculated by MTT assay. Results: Based on atomic force microscopy results, the size distribution of EFEO was between 100-500 nm. Antimicrobial test showed that the MIC50 of both EO and EFEO was similar (0.6%). But, in case of Candida albicans, the MIC90 of EO and EFEO was 5% and 1.25%, respectively. It means that EFEO has greater effect on Candida albicans than EO. The results of MTT assay showed that the toxicity of EFEO was less than EO. Conclusion: It was found that in some cases, encapsulation could lead to better antimicrobial property and less toxicity. Because of high antimicrobial activity, both EO and EFEO of Zhumeria majdae might be used as powerfully antimicrobial agents.

261-269

Authors: Mohammad Ali Mooji, MasoumehTabatabaee

bstract Introduction: In this research mixed ZnO and TiO2 was used for degradation of an azo dye (Direct Blue 71). Material and Methods: In comparison with just TiO2 or ZnO as photocatalyst, mixed photocatalyst (ZnO/TiO2) is more efficient catalyst for degradation of dye under UV irradiation. The progress of the reactions was monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the absorbance of dye at special wavelengths. The effects of various parameters such as ZnO/TiO2 ratio, amount of photocatalyst, pH,initial dye concentration and irradiation time on decolorization rate were systematically investigated. Results: Results show that approximately 90 % of Direct Blue 71 has been eliminated after 70 minutes and optimized condition.

278-287

Authors: Najib Allah Baeradeh, Mohammad Hassan Lotfi, Hossein Fallahzadeh, Saeed Kargar, Hassan Salman Roghani

Abstract Introduction: Cancers are the second cause of death in the world after cardiovascular diseases. Cancer of the stomach is one of the most important forms of cancer worldwide. It is the fourth most common form of cancer and the second most common cause of death in the world. There is a wide variation in the survival of gastric cancer among and even within countries. In this study we seek to investigate survival rate and the factors influencing the survival of gastric cancer in Yazd province. Materials and Methods: This is an observational (the analytical type) study which has been conducted using the methods of longitudinal and survival study. The study population includes all patients diagnosed with gastric cancer in Yazd province between the years 2006 to 2010. The samples were selected by the census method and all the patients diagnosed with gastric cancer between the years 1384 to 1388 (estimated to be about 136 cases) have been studied. After collecting the data and coding them, they were inserted to the software SPSS 16, STATA 12. To investigate the survival and the factors influencing the survival time of patients which are the main objective of this study, Kaplan-Meier method was used and Cox proportional hazards model was fitted to the data. To compare survival function in different subgroups, the log rank test or generalized Wilcoxon test was used. Results: From a total of 136 patients with gastric cancer, 91 cases were male (66.9%) and 45 females (33.1%), respectively. The mean age of patients was 62.33 ±1.45 years at the time of diagnosis. The Average (5% Trimmed Mean) and the median survival of patients with gastric cancer in both sexes were 26.16 and 19 months, respectively. The probability of survival at 1, 3 and 5 years after diagnosis of stomach cancer in both sexes using the Kaplan-Meier was 61.3, 31.2, %24.5, respectively. In multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards model, the variable of Job (P-value=0.03) was identified as the factor influencing the survival of patients with gastric cancer. Conclusion: Although the survival rate of patients with gastric cancer in Yazd province is desirable level, intervention measures can increase this amount