Irtiqa Imini Pishgiri Masdumiyat (Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention)

Exclusive breastfeeding is recognized as one of the most effective, safest, and cost-efficient public health interventions for promoting child survival, optimal growth, neurodevelopment, and lifelong health. Accumulating scientific evidence indicates that the first 1,000 days of life constitute a critical window for biological programming of future health outcomes, and breast milk, owing to its unique nutritional and immunological composition, plays a pivotal role in reducing infant mortality, preventing infectious and chronic diseases, supporting immune system maturation, enhancing cognitive development, and improving neurological function. In addition to its benefits for infants, breastfeeding significantly contributes to maternal health by reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.

Beyond its biological effects, breastfeeding strengthens maternal–infant attachment, promotes psychological well-being, decreases healthcare expenditures, and supports sustainable development through reduced resource consumption and environmental impact. Despite this robust body of evidence, the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding remains challenged by social, cultural, occupational, and structural barriers. Achieving global targets for infant and young child nutrition therefore requires comprehensive evidence-based policies, legal and workplace protections for breastfeeding mothers, the establishment of breastfeeding-friendly environments in both public and occupational settings, and sustained public education initiatives.

This editorial emphasizes that exclusive breastfeeding should be regarded not merely as a nutritional practice but as a strategic investment in child safety, population health, and the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems. By integrating biological, psychological, social, economic, and environmental perspectives, it highlights breastfeeding as a cornerstone of early-life health promotion and a fundamental determinant of resilience and well-being across the life course.

چکیده

صنعت فولاد به ‌عنوان یکی از صنایع با مصرف انرژی بالا، در کنار اتلاف حرارتی قابل توجه با الزامات فزاینده زیست ‌محیطی نیز  روبرو است. هدف این پژوهش تدوین، ارزیابی و اولویت ‌بندی استراتژی ‌های کاهش مصرف انرژی با رویکرد مدیریت بهداشت، ایمنی و محیط زیست در کوره‌ های فولادسازی با استفاده از یک رویکرد تصمیم‌گیری ترکیبی شامل ماتریسSWOT، فرآیند تحلیل سلسله‌ مراتبی فازی (Fuzzy AHP) و ماتریس برنامه ‌ریزی استراتژیک کمی (QSPM) است. روش تحقیق از نوع کاربردی و توصیفی-تحلیلی بوده و جامعه آماری پژوهش را ۲۰ نفر از خبرگان شامل ۱۰ متخصص فرآیند فولادسازی (ترمودینامیک و احیا) و ۱۰ متخصص در حوزه محیط‌زیست(آلاینده‌هاو توسعه پایدار) با میانگین حداقل 12 سال سابقه کار شاغل در شرکت های فولادسازی واقع درمنطقه ویژه اقتصادی صنایع معدنی و فلزی خلیج فارس تشکیل می‌دهند. در این راستا، پس از شناسایی عوامل داخلی و خارجی، هفت معیاراصلی ازجمله هزینه، راندمان، سازگاری زیست ‌محیطی، عمر مفید، زمان اجرا، قابلیت اجرا و ریسک اجرایی جهت وزن ‌دهی تعیین شدند. نتایج تحلیل فازی‌AHP نشان داد که معیار سازگاری زیست ‌محیطی با وزن نهایی 387/0 بیشترین اهمیت در میان معیارهای تصمیم‌گیری دارد. براساس تقاطع عوامل داخلی و خارجی در ماتریس SWOT، مجموعه ای از استراتژی ها در چهار دسته WT,SO,ST,WO استخراج شد. نتایج ارزیابی گزینه ‌ها در ماتریس QSPM نشان داد که استراتژی های تهاجمی (SO)بالاترین امتیاز جذابیت را دارد و استراتژی SO₂ (توسعه فناوری‌ های بازیافت حرارت اتلافی با بهره‌ گیری از حمایت ‌های دولتی )با امتیاز نهایی جذابیت 42/6 در رتبه نخست قرار گرفت. اجرای این رویکرد  می‌تواند به کاهش شدت مصرف انرژی و هم راستایی راهبرد های فولادسازی با اهداف توسعه پایدار و اقتصاد چرخشی کمک کند.

واژگان کلیدی: صنعت فولاد، مصرف انرژی، برنامه‌ریزی استراتژیک، Fuzzy AHP،SWOT، QSPM

Background and Aims: High blood pressure is one of the most important health problems, the prevalence of which is very worrying among healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of night shift work on blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) among healthcare workers in Tehran.

Methods:  This cross-sectional study was conducted with 282 healthcare workers at Dr. Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran. Blood pressure was measured individually at rest and during rest. Data were collected using interviews and data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software.

Results:  In this study, 282 healthcare workers (138 clinical cases including nursing and 144 cases including security, service and administrative staff) in Tehran participated. The results of the study on night shift work and blood pressure showed that high blood pressure was significantly higher in employees working night shifts (p value <0.01). The study of night shift work and BMI showed that BMI above 25 was more in healthcare workers with night shift work than in healthcare workers without night shift work (p value <0.01). Healthcare workers with lower educational qualifications and higher work experience were more at risk of developing high blood pressure.

Conclusion: The results showed the effect of night shift work on blood pressure and BMI among healthcare workers in Tehran.

Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to enhance advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) using nanoparticles. In this regard, developing a photo catalyst-based advanced oxidation process could provide an appropriate solution for removing these pollutants under light irradiation.

Methods: The selection of an appropriate treatment process for microplastics and nanoplastics depends on the desired water quality, particle size, presence of natural organic matter, and energy and cost constraints. The integration of multiple technologies is more effective than relying on a single treatment unit. Conventional approaches include adsorption, biochar, activated carbon, coagulation–flocculation, flotation, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis, which concentrate or separate these particles. Therefore, the application of advanced oxidation processes is essential for the subsequent degradation of these concentrated secondary contaminants.

Results: When combined with alum flocculation, this photocatalyst reduced the number of microplastics in the influent wastewater of Treatment Plant A from 3979±420 to 454±4 particles and in Treatment Plant B from 4651±135 to 561±6 particles in the final effluent. Under optimal conditions, the reduction in the number of microplastics throughout the entire process reached 87.7–88.6%, which was attributed to the separation and degradation of the PET and PP polymer structures. Furthermore, the use of Co₃O₄/g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst after flocculation resulted in a reduction in microplastic mass, as an indicator of photocatalytic degradation, of approximately 68% for PET and 66.1% for PP. Therefore, this combined method not only effectively separated microplastics from the aqueous phase but also, through photocatalytic degradation, reduced the mass and caused structural changes in a portion of the polymers.

Conclusion: The study showed that the combination of coagulation and Co₃O₄/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite for PMS activation enabled the degradation of PET and PP microplastics under UVC irradiation. XRD and FESEM results confirmed Co₃O₄ loading and the formation of a Z-scheme heterojunction, indicating enhanced electron transfer and reactive species generation.

Background and Aim

The widespread use of non-ionizing radiation technologies in industrial, medical, telecommunication, and electronic sectors has increased occupational and public exposure to these radiations. Ultraviolet radiation, lasers, electromagnetic fields, radiofrequency waves, and microwaves are among the major sources of exposure that may adversely affect human health if not properly controlled. Growing concerns regarding the potential health effects of these radiations have highlighted the need for developing comprehensive policy and management frameworks. This study aimed to propose a policy framework for controlling occupational exposure to non-ionizing radiation and to provide a systematic approach from hazard identification to risk control.

Materials and Methods

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted using a policy research approach. Required data were collected through a review of scientific literature, international standards, guidelines, and studies related to non-ionizing radiation. Occupational hazards associated with ultraviolet radiation, lasers, electromagnetic fields, and radiofrequency radiation were analyzed regarding exposure sources, biological effects, occupational exposure limits, monitoring methods, and control strategies. The roles of engineering controls, administrative controls, personal protective equipment, and monitoring systems in exposure reduction were also evaluated.

Results

The findings indicated that workers in welding industries, healthcare facilities, laser-based workplaces, telecommunication systems, and electronic industries are exposed to higher levels of non-ionizing radiation. Uncontrolled exposure may lead to skin disorders, ocular damage, thermal effects, biological alterations, and increased occupational health risks. The results also revealed that the absence of continuous monitoring programs, inadequate professional training, insufficient implementation of engineering controls, and poor compliance with exposure limits are among the major management challenges in occupational settings. Furthermore, engineering controls, source enclosure, interlock systems, continuous monitoring, and worker training were identified as the most effective strategies for reducing exposure.

Conclusion

Effective management of non-ionizing radiation hazards requires a comprehensive, multidimensional, and prevention-oriented policy approach. Developing an integrated policy framework that includes hazard identification, exposure assessment, continuous monitoring, worker training, and implementation of engineering controls can significantly reduce occupational risks and protect workers’ health. Strengthening monitoring systems, enhancing professional supervision, and developing national standards are essential components of non-ionizing radiation safety management.

Background and Aim: Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 19.8 million deaths annually worldwide, with 85% attributed to myocardial infarction and stroke. Systemic inflammation and metabolic syndrome are key drivers of vascular instability and ischemic events. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential plant-derived omega-3 fatty acid, holds significant potential for immunological protection and vascular injury prevention; however, its low dietary concentration and oxidative instability limit its widespread public health application. This study aimed to synthesize current evidence on enzymatic enrichment of edible oils with ALA and its role as a preventive public health strategy against cardiovascular events.

Methodology: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect (Elsevier), and SID databases using keywords related to ALA, lipase, enzymatic enrichment, systemic inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and CVD prevention. After three-stage screening, 68 eligible studies and documents were selected for final review.

Findings: Enzymatic enrichment using immobilized sn-1,3-specific lipases enables production of ALA-rich oils with favorable oxidative stability. ALA inhibits the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and activates PPARα and PPARγ receptors, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP. Clinical evidence indicates that ALA intake at ≥3 g/day significantly reduces atherogenic lipoprotein and Lp(a) levels, lowers atrial fibrillation risk in populations with low marine omega-3 intake, and prevents ischemic events. Camelina oil, with its favorable fatty acid profile, high natural antioxidant content, and strong clinical evidence, is identified as the ideal oil base. However, modest LDL increases in some trials and inter-individual variability due to FADS1/FADS2 polymorphisms warrant consideration in population-level interventions.

Conclusion: Enzymatic enrichment of edible oils with ALA represents a safe, non-invasive, and scalable public health strategy for cardiovascular event prevention through modulation of systemic inflammation and inhibition of atherogenesis. Long-term phase-3 clinical trials, development of stable encapsulation systems, and harmonized regulatory frameworks are essential for large-scale implementation.