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Background and Objective: In recent years, chitosan and Moringa oleifera Coagulant Protein a natural coagulant were used in order to reduce the problems occure from chemical coagulants. This investigation was done to determine effectiveness of Moringa Oleifera Coagulant Protein and Chitosan as natural coagulant aids in removal of colloidal particles and bacteria from turbid waters. Materials and Methods: In this interventional- quasi experimental study, the experiments were run by using synthetic water having low(10-20NTU), medium(100-120NTU) and high (200-220NTU) initial turbidities. In order to determine optimum pH and dosage of coagulant and coagulant aids, a conventional jar test apparatus was employed. Turbidity reading were carried out using a Hach model 2100P Turbidimeter. The samples were taken from the top four inch of the suspension for turbidity and bacteria removal measurement. Results: Optimum dose of alum for waters with three different initial turbidities were 20, 40, and 20 mg/l, respectively. Optimum pH was between 7-7.5. Moringa oleifera Coagulant Protein and chitosan were reduced the required dosage of alum from 12.5% to 62.5% and from 50% to 87.5%, respectively, in different turbidities and residual aluminum was reduced to standard limit (0.2mg/l). The bacteria removal efficiency were from 90% to 99.9999%. It was found when samples were stored during 24 hours regrowth of E.coli was not observed. Conclusion: This study showed that natural coagulant aids can reduce the turbidity to below 5NTU without filtration in optimum condition.

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Background and Objective: Asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease during childhood and it is estimated that 4.8 million children involved in asthma all over the world and its prevalence and incidence is increasing. The aim of this study was to identify the peak-flow meter application on quality of life in asthmatic children. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was done on 80 asthmatic children between 7 to 15 years old which referred to Shahid Beheshti hospital clinic in Kashan, Iran during 2009. Susan Sylvia questionnaire included 3 parts, was filled for every child. The questions in any section had three options in which there were 5 items in activity limitation, 13 questions in symptoms and 6 questions in emotional functions. Every question had 1 to 3 points and whole questionnaire taken 23 to 69 points. The children were learnt to measure their PEFR (Peak Expiratory Flow Rate) 3 times a day using Peak flow meter device and upon the results, the management procedure was changed. After 3 months the outcome were evaluated and data analyzed by SPSS-15 and paired t-test. Results: Mean age of patients was 8.82±2.75 years old. Thirty three subjects (41.3%) were girl. The average score in emotional functions was 13.1±3.07 before and 14.35±3.7 after using peak-flow meter (P<0.05). The average score in activity limitation was 7.33±1.57 and 8.47±0.67 before and after using peak-flow meter, respectively (P<0.05). The average score in symptoms before and after pek-flow meter was 28.81±5.13 and 32.02±5.62, respectively (P<0.05). Finally total score of quality of life showed significant increase in children after using peak-flow meter (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the application of pek-flow meter increase emotional functions, decrease limitation of activity and symptoms in asthmatic children. Therefore, it is suggested pek-flow meter dievice taking into account in asthma management of asthmatic patients particularly in children.

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Background and Objective: Fungi are widely distributed in nature and they are usually present in attomospher but other sources such as water play an important role in their ecology. This study was done to evaluate mycoflora assessment in drinking tap water in Sari, North of Iran. The tap water collected form Sari water distribution system for fungi. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, a volume of 100 ml of tap drinking water samples (n=60) were collected in sterile bottles. All water samples passed through sterile 0.45 micrometer filters. The filters were placed directly on Malt extract agar and incubated at 27°C for 3-7 days. Routine mycological techniques were applied to identify the grown fungi. Results: Out of 468 grown fungal colonies, eight different fungal genera were identified. The total mean cfu per 100 ml for the positive samples were 8.4. Aspergillus (37.4%) and Penicillium (27.3%) were the most common isolated fungi. Rhizopus (0.6%) had the lowest frequency. Among Aspergillus species, A. flavus had the highest frequency. Conclusion: Our result showed that various fungi were present in the tap drinking water. We propose fungi should be considered as part of the microbiological analysis parameters in drinking tap water.

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Background and Objective: Respiratory failure is one of the most important respiratory problems in premature infants. Several studies have shown the efficacy of corticosteroids in gestational age less than 34 weeks. This study was done to determine the effect of prenatal betamethasone injection during 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy on the prevention of newborn respiratory failure. Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 140 women with risk of preterm labor at 34 to 36 weeks of gestational age. Women in interventional group were received betamethasone 12 mg IM (2 doses, 12 hours apart). Women in control group were received the same volume of normal saline. Sex and birth weight, respiratory distress syndrome, requiring hospitalization in neonatal intensive care units and require respiratory support were recorded for each newborn. Results: No significant difference was seen in sex and weight of newborns between two groups. The precent of newborns with respiratory distress syndrome in the intervention and control groups was 12.5% and 22%, respectively. This difference was not significant. No significant difference was seen in the need to respiratory support, hospitalized in the NICU between intervention and control groups. Conclusion: Adminestration of betamethasone in 36-34 weeks of pregnancy has no effect on the prevention of respiratory failure in preterm infants.

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Background and Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most endocrine disorder in women. This study was done to determine the effect of N-acetylcysteine with letrozole to induction of ovulation in infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Methods: This clinical trail study was carried out on forty PCOS women with normal TSH, prolactin, hysterosalpingographies and normal spermograms. The patients in control group were received letrozole 5 mg/d for 5 days starting at day 3 of the cycle. The patients in interventional group were received letrozole 5 mg/d with NAC 1.2 g/d (group II) for 5 days starting at day 3 of the cycle. On 14^th day of cycle, transvaginal ultrasonography was performed to evaluate endometrial thickness and follicles properties. If mature follicle detected, hCG was injected and timed coitus at 12, 36 and 60 hours later advised. β-hCG level was checked on day 16 after hCG injection.

Results: The mean of endometrial thickness and follicles ovulation in hCG injection day was similar in the two groups. The pregnancy rate was 15% and 20% in control and interventional groups, respectively. This difference was not significant. The mean of follicles number was 1.13% and 1.47% in control and interventional groups, respectively. This difference was not significant.

Conclusion: NAC as an adjuvant to letrozole was not effective for ovulation induction in patients with PCOS.

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Background and Objective: Periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis are two chronic inflammatory diseases that are interrelated. Given the similarities between these conditions, the medications used by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may affect their periodontal indices. This study aimed to evaluate the periodontal index status in patients with RA undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.
Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 68 patients with RA in three treatment groups (20 on monotherapy, 24 on dual therapy, and 24 on triple treatment) and 20 healthy individuals with a plaque index (PI) below 35% in Ardabil, Iran during the second half of 2021. The monotherapy group included methotrexate or hydroxychloroquine; the dual therapy group included combinations of methotrexate with hydroxychloroquine, adalimumab, or infliximab; and the triple therapy group included combinations of methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine with adalimumab, etanercept, sulfasalazine, or leflunomide. Periodontal indices, including Plaque Index (PI), Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL), Gingival Index (GI), and Bleeding on Probing (BOP), were assessed.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences in periodontal indices among the three treatment groups (monotherapy, dual therapy, and triple therapy). The mean BOP index in the control group was significantly higher compared to the three medication groups (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean CAL and GI indices between the control group and the medication groups. The median PI in the control group was 29.6, and in the dual therapy group, it was 42.3, which was statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The use of immunosuppressive drugs did not have a significant effect on the periodontal indices of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.