Analysis of microplastics in ships ballast water and its ecological risk assessment studies from the Persian Gulf

Transport of ballast water is considered a significant vector for dispersion of different pollutants, including microplastics (MPs), throughout the world's oceans. However, there is limited information on MPs in ballast water. Size distribution, polymer type, and ecological risks of MPs in ballast water were investigated for the first time in this study. The mean levels of MPs in ballast water and seawater samples were 12.53 and 11.80 items/L, respectively. MPs with a size category of 50-300 μm was the most abundant. Fiber, black, and polycarbonate (PC) were the predominant shape, color, and polymer type of identified MPs in ballast water and seawater, respectively. The pollution load index (PLI), hazard index (HI), and risk quotient (RQ) indicated high levels of MP pollution, potentially indicating an ecological risk. These findings increase our understanding of the major sources (such as ballast water), transportation routes, and related ecological risks of MPs to marine ecosystems.

The causes for lack of interest to blood donation in eligible individuals, mashhad, northeastern iran

BACKGROUND

Donor recruitment and retention are significant problems in blood collection agencies around the world. The Aim of this study was to determine the causes of lack of interest to blood donation in eligible individu-als in Mashhad, Northeast of Iran.

METHODS

This was a descriptive study. Cases were 1130 non-donor individuals. Participants were selected from eligible individuals in different regions of Mashhad. In this study, surveys included information about age groups, gender, residence area, marriage, education; living situation and job as background variables.

RESULT

Less than 30% of the cases had enough knowledge about blood donation. There was a significant rela-tionship between location, age, education, occupation and social status with knowledge of blood donation, but there was not a correlation between gender and marital status.

CONCLUSION

There are some factors which affect the decision for blood donation. There is a need to change the negative attitude by increasing the knowledge considering the individual and the social status.

Case-Control Study of acute diarrhea in Children

BACKGROUND

To determine the risk factor for acute diarrhea disease in children.

METHODS

In the survey, 220 cases and 220 controls were involved. Cases were children with loose watery feces, pathologically diagnosed as acute diarrhea by the physician, and enrolled from the Emergency Ward as the Incident Cases in Dr. Sheykh Hospital, Mashhad, northeast of Iran. Control group too, was enrolled from the same cases and the members were children whose risk factors disease were not the risk factor for acute diarrhea, and were enrolled from emergency ward of burn patients, accidents, acute respiratory diseases and eligible patients.

RESULTS

By using univariate logistic regression models, variables consisting used milk up to 6 months age, antibiotic usage during the last 15 days, mother's employment, mother's acquaintance with ORS, occupancy, and water slack during the week before illness, were significantly related with acute diarrhea. In a multiple logistic regression, the relationship between the said factors as the independent variables and acute diarrhea was studied. Use of formulas before 6 month age with (95% CI 1.77- 5.79) OR=3.21, and tenantry with (95% CI 1.24-2.71) OR=1.83, and mother's employment with (95%CI 1.2-5.06) OR= 2.48 were factors affecting acute diarrhea which remained in the multiple logistic model and had significant relationship with the disease.

CONCLUSION

During this study, important environmental risk factors were recognized. Endangered groups and mothers with children under 5 years old should be aware of these risk factors in order to prevent their children's diseases. Prevention of acute diarrhea in children can reduce massive detriments to health system.