Birjand County Research Articles

Trace Element Concentration and Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Residents in Birjand.

Trace elements were suggested to have a main role in modulating cognitive function. However, there are several controversial findings regarding the association between serum trace element concentration and cognitive function in patients with cognitive disorders. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the changes in serum trace element concentrations in elderly with cognitive dysfunction versus the participants with normal cognitive function. This crosssectional study included 191 older adults over 60 years from Birjand County, Iran. Participants were assessed for cognitive performance and serum trace elements concentration, including aluminum (AL), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), Chrome (Cr), copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn). Our findings showed no significant difference in the serum concentration of AL, Co, Cr, Zn, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Se of elderly with cognitive dysfunction versus the subjects with normal cognitive function. However, the concentration of Cu significantly increased in the serum of the elderly with cognitive dysfunction versus participants with normal function. In conclusion, our study indicated an increase in the serum concentration of Cu in the elderly with cognitive dysfunction in the sample of the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study. However, due to the main limitations of our study, including low sample size and crosssection design, these findings should be interpreted with caution.

Hard ticks circulate Anaplasma spp. in South-Khorasan province, Iran

Ticks are vectors for several important zoonoses including different species of Anaplasma. The present study aims to determine the presence of Anaplasma spp. in hard ticks collected from livestock of South-Khorasan province, Iran. A total of 684 livestock were sampled and 269 ticks were collected. Two genera and 6 species of ticks were identified including Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma detritium, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma asiaticum, Hyalomma dromedarii and Hyalomma spp. Eleven Hyalomma nymphs and 3 Rhipicephalus nymphs were also identified. 100 Out of 269 ticks were chosen for molecular detection. DNA was extracted followed by PCR technique to detect Anaplasma spp. The presence of Anaplasma spp. was confirmed in 20 out of 100 tested samples (20%). All positive samples collected from Birjand county were Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Results of the present study showed a relatively high infection rate of Anaplasma in hard ticks in South-Khorasan Province.

Prevalence of anemia and associated factors among the elderly population in South Khorasan, Birjand, 2019.

Background: Anemia is a multifactorial and common public health problem in geriatric age groups, especially in developing countries. Therefore, this study was designed to study the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among the elderly population in Birjand, Iran, in 2019. Methods: This was a cross-sectional approach to the baseline data of the Birjand longitudinal aging study (BLAS) in which 1396 people aged ≥ 60 years were screened for the presence of anemia based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. For each participant, a standard questionnaire was administered. Furthermore, the height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Blood samples were obtained from each participant for hematological examination. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and other indices of cell blood count were measured using an automatic cell counter. The prevalence rates were estimated using survey analysis with the weight of Birjand county older population. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to detect the associated factor with anemia. Results: The mean age of the participants was 69.73±7.66 years. The crude prevalence of anemia was 11.10%, and the age-standardized prevalence based on the standard WHO population 2000-2025 was equal to 16.78% (12.81%–21.66%) (15.95% [10.41%–23.69%] in women and 17.32% (12.65%–23.25%) in men. Mild and normocytic anemia were the predominant types. The mean hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were lower in women than in men and the mean platelet count in women was higher (p<0.001). In the final multivariate logistic regression model, only age groups, BMI, fish consumption, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were related to anemia. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings showed the association of anemia with some risk factors and diseases. Anemia in geriatric age groups is often underdiagnosed; hence, identification of subgroups at risk for anemia and its associated risk factors in geriatric groups has a paramount importance in preventing adverse outcomes.

Birjand longitudinal aging study (BLAS): the objectives, study protocol and design (wave I: baseline data gathering).

The pace of population aging is growing rapidly around the world. Aging is associated with the emergence of different health status including geriatric syndrome such as frailty, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia. These conditions are the most prominent challenges for health care systems and also elderly people. Therefore, understanding these changes can help scientists to prevent and treat significant health issues and also improve the functional ability of older adults. This is a protocol of the first wave of Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study that is an ongoing community-based prospective cohort study with a following up at least 10years. This study carries out on aged population ≥ 60years which were residents in Birjand County (urban and rural older subjects). The selection of the participants of this study in urban areas is based on an age group weighted multistage stratified random sample while in the rural region the sample was selected from all ten rural regions of Birjand County by simple random sampling. The rural region sampling was based on the list of the aged population which were under the coverage of the rural health center. Sociodemographic, past medical history, lifestyle, sleep, activities of daily living, cognitive function, quality of life, and social capital were evaluated by interviewing with the participants and one of the informants. Anthropometric measures, electrocardiography, and interpretation of ophthalmologic examination were carried out by experts. Fasting Blood samples were collected and bio-banked in - 80°C. then finally biochemical and hematologic markers were measured. This is the protocol of stage one baseline of Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study (BLAS). The BLAS is an enjoining study, the first phase of its baseline was carried out on a community- dwelling aged population sample ≥ 60years who were residents in urban and rural regions of Birjand County. This is a community based prospective cohort study with at least 10years follow up of participants. The data for 65% of older subjects (response rate = 65%) that lived in clusters were collected. This study can help scientists to recognize some risk factors related to the aging process and also aware policymakers about the necessity to create heath care services at regional and even national levels.

A novel framework for the potential assessment of utility-scale photovoltaic solar energy, application to eastern Iran

This paper presents a framework to assess the potential of photovoltaic solar energy for utility-scale installations. In order to achieve this purpose, the framework incorporates spatial planning and performance simulation of photovoltaic power systems into the potential assessment process. Birjand County where is a suitable region for the deployment of photovoltaic technologies because of its climatic conditions was selected asa case study. The installation of solar power plants asa subset of infrastructure facilities should have the conformity to the standards of land-use planning. At the first step, the set of factors (27 criteria) influencing on the site selection of photovoltaic power plants was defined. After the detection of unsuitable areas, they were excluded from the county map by Boolean logic. Remaining areas were rated based on the technical, socio-economic, environmental criteria by using different fuzzy membership functions. Then, these rated areas were mapped. To determine the optimal sites for the grid-connected installations of photovoltaic, the fuzzified maps were overlaid by fuzzy gamma operator. Then, the pixels of final map were classified into five groups regarding to their fuzzy value. The results show that optimal places for the installation of photovoltaic power plants account for 0.5 percent (2005 hectares) of Birjand’s territory. The results of geo-spatial modeling of this thesis were verified by using satellite images. To estimate the capacity of electricity production from photovoltaic power plants, a 46.2kW- photovoltaic installation was designed and its performance and energy output was simulated under climatic and geographical conditions of Birjand. The estimated energy output of photovoltaic power plants in optimal sites of Birjand County (1781.6GWh/year) not only can supply the electrical demand of Southern Khorasan Province but also, the excess generated electricity can export to other provinces and neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Human parvovirus B19 and parvovirus 4 among Iranian patients with hemophilia.

BackgroundHuman parvovirus B19 (B19V) is one of the smallest DNA viruses and shows great resistance to most disinfectants. Therefore, it is one of the common contaminant pathogens present in blood and plasma products. Parvovirus 4 (PARV4) is a newly identified parvovirus, which is also prevalent in parenteral transmission. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of B19V and PARV4 DNA among patients with hemophilia in Birjand County in eastern Iran.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional epidemiological study comprising nearly all people with hemophilia in this region. Whole blood samples were taken after patient registration and sent for plasma isolation. After nucleic acid extraction, B19V was detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction, PARV4 DNA was then detected using sensitive semi-nested PCR.ResultsIn total, there were 86 patients with hemophilia, with mean age 28.5±1.5 years. Of these, 90.7% were men and 9.3% women; 84.9% had hemophilia A and 7.0% had hemophilia B. We found 11 patients (12.8%) were positive for B19V DNA and 8 were positive (9.3%) for PARV4 DNA. The prevalence of B19V was higher in middle-aged groups rather than younger people, whereas PARV4 infection was more common in younger patients (P <0.05).ConclusionThere was a high prevalence of B19V and PARV4 infection in this high-risk group of patients with hemophilia. Due to the clinical significance of the B19 virus, imposing more precautionary measures for serum and blood products is recommended.

Bayesian spatial analysis of the surgical incidence rate of human cystic echinococcosis in north-eastern Iran

BackgroundCystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease that presents a public health challenge and a socioeconomic burden on developing areas in the Middle East. This study used spatial methods to assess the distribution of surgically managed CE cases in an endemic region of north-eastern Iran. MethodsFor the years 2001–2007, a case series of all 446 patients that were surgically treated for CE in a referral hospital in north-eastern Iran was evaluated. Patients seen at the referral hospital represent 35 counties in three provinces (Razavi Khorasan, North Khorasan, and South Khorasan). A Besag, York and Mollie (BYM) spatial model was used to produce smoothed standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for surgically managed cases of CE for the 35 counties represented in this study. ResultsOut of 446 surgically managed patients, 54% were male. County-level crude incidence rates ranged from 0 to 3.27 cases per 100,000 population. The highest smoothed SIR (3.46) was for Sarakhs County in the province of Razavi Khorasan, while the lowest smoothed SIR (0.05) was for Birjand County, located in the province of South Khorasan. ConclusionSIRs for CE were highest for the province of Razavi Khorasan, which has large ranching and agricultural industries. Additional studies are needed to better evaluate the role of climate, land cover, and livestock rearing on local Echinococcus granulosus transmission in Iran.

Genetic diversity of Leishmania tropica strains isolated from clinical forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural districts of Herat province, Western Afghanistan, based on ITS1-rDNA

Despite the high incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Afghanistan, there is a little information concerning epidemiological status of the disease and phylogenetic relationship and population structure of causative agents. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution of CL cases and investigate the Leishmania tropica population structure in rural districts of Heart province in the West of Afghanistan in comparison to neighboring foci. Overall, 4189 clinically suspected CL cases from 177 villages (including 12 districts) in Herat province were enrolled in the referral laboratory of WHO sub-office in Herat city from January 2012 to December 2013. 3861 cases were confirmed as CL by microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained slides. ITS1 PCR–RFLP analysis showed dominance of L. tropica (more than 98%) among 127 randomly chosen samples. Analysis of the ITS1 sequences revealed 4 sequence types among the 21 L. tropica isolates. Comparison of sequence types from Herat rural districts with the representatives of L. tropica from Iran, India, and Herat city showed two main population groups (cluster A and B). All isolates from Herat province, India and Southeast, East, and Central Iran were found exclusively in cluster A. The close proximity of West Afghanistan focus and Birjand county as the capital of Southern Khorasan province in East Iran can explain relatively equal to the genetic composition of L. tropica in these two neighboring regions. In addition, two populations were found among L. tropica isolates from Herat rural districts. Main population showed more similarity to some isolates from Birjand county in East Iran while minor population probably originated from the Southeast and East Iranian L. tropica. Recent study provided valuable information concerning the population structure of L. tropica and epidemiology of ACL in the West of Afghanistan, which could be the basis for molecular epidemiology studies in other regions of Afghanistan.

Investigating the Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Among Blood Donors Referring to Blood Donation Centers in Birjand County in Iran

Background: Hepatitis E is among the most important health challenges in many countries. This study aimed at investigating the sero-prevalence of hepatitis E among blood donors in Birjand county, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed in 2013 - 2014 on 340 blood donors who referred to blood donation centers in Birjand county, Iran, for blood donation. The participants were recruited through simple random sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire was used for data collection which included items such as demographic characteristics, past medical history, history of blood transfusion, and the source of drinking water. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by an infectious disease specialist and a statistician. A five-milliliter blood sample was obtained from each donor and serological assessment was performed for detecting hepatitis E virus antibody by using the ELISA method. The data were analyzed through running logistic regression analysis using the SPSS software (version 15.0). Results: From 340 participants, 319 cases (93.8%) were male, 256 cases (75.3%) held university degrees, 13 cases (3.8%) had a history of blood transfusion, and 50 cases (14.7%) were anti-hepatitis E positive. The result of serologic test was significantly correlated with the participants’ educational status, place of residence, and source of drinking water (P < 0.05). However, the correlation of the test result with the participants’ gender, age, employment, and history of blood transfusion was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The prevalence of hepatitis E in the present study was higher than previous studies, denoting the higher prevalence of hepatitis E in the area. Moreover, the prevalence of hepatitis E is lower among blood donors who have higher educational status, live in urban areas, and use piped water.

An Integration of the Function of Indigenous and Modern Knowledge and Its Role on Rural Development, (Case Study: Rural Areas of Birjand County)

Purpose: The rural areas of Iran have faced many challenges during 1990s and 2000s due to the failure of development programs, persistent draughts, vulnerability of rural economics and their consequences, including lack of employment opportunities and increasing migrations to urban districts. Therefore it is necessary to identify the potentials of indigenous knowledge, its prospects and challenges for rural areas. Since an indigenous knowledge is constructed on the basis of the realities of its environment, it provides us with appropriate methods to manage the environment. The integration of this indigenous knowledge with modern forms of knowledge can provide us with initiatives to achieve sustainable development. This study aims to introduce such an initiative in rural development, based on indigenous knowledge. Methodology: This is an applied study which follows an analytic-descriptive methodology. The data were collected through archival and field studies. The sample includes 381 households, selected from 33 villages around Birjand (each containing more than 20 households) by the help of Cochran method. To confirm or reject the hypothesis, analytical methods including Fisher and Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis were conducted by use of SPSS software. Findings: Regarding the effectiveness of integration of two above-mentioned knowledge systems, the findings of Fisher and Kruskal-Wallis analysis show that this integration will result in an increase in productivity, income, and willingness to stay in village and will result in decrease in migration to urban areas. Therefore, the integration of indigenous and modern knowledge systems can facilitate achieving sustainable development. Limitations: The main obstacles were the difficulties in collecting data on indigenous knowledge and villagers’ lack of self-confidence. Practical Implications: We suggest that establishing a data bank on indigenous knowledge, applying appropriate technologies and using participative approaches will facilitate the revival and development of rural areas. Originality and Value: Recognizing and examining the potentials of integrated knowledge systems and the compatible technologies in accordance with them will increase sustainability in rural development.

Relationship between Perfectionism, Psychological Hardiness, and Job Burnout of Employees at Executive Organizations

This study investigated the relationship between perfectionism, psychological hardiness and job burnout of employees at executive organizations in Birjand County, Iran. In terms of purpose, this study is applied, and in terms of nature, it is descriptive and co relational. The population included 5000 employees and the sample composed of 356 persons according to Cochran Formula who were classified using randomized sampling. Three modified questionnaires of perfectionism, psychological hardiness, and job burnout were used to collect data. Their validities were 0.84, 0.81 and 0.77 and their reliabilities, using Chronbach's alpha, were 0.87, 0.78, and 0.86 respectively. The data were analyzed in SPSS using Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients. Findings showed that there was a negative correlation between psychological hardiness and perfectionism as well as its dimensions in the employees. There was not a significant relationship between self-oriented and other-oriented perfectionism and job burnout. The relationship between socially prescribed perfectionism and job burnout was positive. There was a significant negative relationship between psychological hardiness and job burnout. It is recommended to hold perfectionism and psychological hardiness workshops for employees in order to decrease their job burnout and to strengthen perfectionism at a moderate and psychological hardiness at a high level.

The performance of village head assistants (Dehyars) in rural development and management (Case study: central district of Birjand County)

One of the innovations of councils law is the assignment of an executive officer is responsible of implementing legislations of Islamic council of the village. The performances of assistants we classified in three classes of social, economical and environmental- structural indices. The objective of the current research is to evaluate the indices effective on the performance levels of village assistants regarding the developmental procedure of central villages of Birjand city. The current research is a field study. To collect data, a number of 30 households and a number of so village assistance office were sampled with a random sampling method. Then, a number of 305 households were identified as the sample volume using Cochrun formula.The related questionnaires were distributed relative to the population and dimension of the households of each village. Data analysis were managed by a t-test in the software application Spss. From village assistants points of view, Following the establishment of village assistance offices, substantial positive changes have occurred in social, economical and environmental-structural conditions of village development so that 92.5% of village assistants evaluated the development trend of the villages at average or high levels. Village households marked the maintenance of health and hygiene conditions, cooperation with county office and the council, Hadi project planning and enforcement as the best performances of village assistants and aiding in critical situations, funding strategies, and installation, possessions and properties maintenance as the worst performances.

Risk factors for premature myocardial infarction: a matched case-control study.

Myocardial infarction in young age is increasing. Identifying risk factors could be important for health promotion. We studied classic atherosclerotic risk factors in premature myocardial infarction. In this matched case-control study, which was conducted from 2005 to 2007 in Birjand County, the east of Iran, atherosclerotic risk factors (hyperten-sion, family history of coronary artery diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia) of 98 patients affected by acute myocardial infarction aged under 50 years were compared with that of 98 healthy neighborhood controls. Mean levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, as well as systolic blood pressure and body mass index were significantly higher in cases than in controls. There was a positive association between coronary artery disease at younger age and dyslipidemia OR=2.8 [95% CI: 1.5, 5.2], smoking OR=6.4 [95% CI: 3.0, 13.5], systolic hypertension OR=3.1 [95% CI: 1.5, 6.3], family history of coronary artery diseases OR=10.9 [95% CI: 3.2, 37.9] and diabetes OR=2.5 [95% CI: 1.04, 6.2]. Smoking, systolic hypertension and dyslipidemia were the most common risk factors among patients with premature myocardial infarction.

An investigation of the relationship between quality of life and selfefficacy of mothers of students with retardation Birjand County

The present research started with the purpose of studying the relationship between sub-rite ions of living state and self-efficacy of the mothers of mentally retarded students in Birjand County. The census population of this research was the mothers of mentally retarded students of elementary and guidance schools of Brigand. Sample of the research was selected with the method of accessible sampling with 121 individuals. In order to gathering the data, two questionnaire of quality of living SF-36 and Schewarzer‘s general self-efficacy, handed to the members of the sample. The method of data analysis is correlation method. The results of the statistic analysis of data indicated that there‘s straight and meaningful connection between their self-efficacy and their common health state, limitation of physical (corporal) performance, physical health, psychic problems, liveliness and psychic health. In spite of the fact that the relevance of self-efficacy and the most of sub-criterions of quality of life is meaningful, as regards it‘s possible to improve self-efficacy by means of workshops and instructive courses. Thus, with the did of these hired of workshops and courses it‘s possible to improve symbols bond with the majority of sub-criterions of quality of life too.

Biological and morphometric characteristics of, Capoeta fusca, a cyprinid fish living in the qanats of south Khorasan, Iran

The siah mahi, Capoeta fusca, is a sub-endemic fish of eastern Iran. We studied morphometric characteristics, diet and reproduction of 600 specimens in qanats of the central zone of Birjand County, South Khorasan Province, from November 2006 to October 2007. The mean total length was 13.5±1.43 cm and maximum length was 21.5 cm. The length-weight relationship of this fish was described by body weight=0.0101×total length2.9477 (r2=0.9747). The mean relative length of the gut was 4.42 ± 0.48, suggesting that this species is an herbivorous fish. Similarly, the mean of the vacuity index was 30.95±5.90, and this fish was classified in a relatively gluttonous group. Besides plants as the primary food, molluscs, aquatic insects, and sometimes frog eggs were distinguished as secondary foods. According to the gonadosomatic index, the reproduction period begins in March and lasts into May. Variations of the gastrosomatic index show that feeding is correlated with reproduction. Measurement of salinity resistance in 96 fish showed that this species can withstand up to 10 p.p.t. of salinity indefinitely.