Optimization of a modified GS medium for a probiotic strain [L. acidophilus ATCC4356]

Probiotics are defined as living microorganisms with beneficial effects on the host. Probiotics, according to the least negative effect on the body, are considered as a good alternative to chemical drugs. Lactobacillus acidophilus is used as a probiotic that is able to reduce cholesterol level in the blood. The effect of various concentrations of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus for enhancing the biomass production of Lactobacillus acidophilus was examined. The response surface methodology based on Box-Wilson CCD was applied to explore the optimal medium composition. Glucose, yeast extract, K2HPO4 and K2HPO4 were selected as dependent variables. All experiments were run at 37°C for 31h under stationary conditions. By solving the regression equation and analyzing the response surface carton, optimal concentrations of the components were determined as glucose [5-8.75 g.l-1], yeast extract [36.75-39 g.l-1], K2HPO4 [0.1-0.2125 g.l-1] and K2HPO4 [0.3925-0.7075 g.l-1] [P<0.05]. Validation experiment confirmed that the optimized medium was comparable to the MRS medium [the most common medium for Lactobacillus acidophilus strain] in biomass production, having the advantages of economy and practicality

Life cycle assessment of advanced zero emission combined cycle power plants

This study investigated different concepts for natural-gas-fired power plants with the CO[2] capture, and compared them based on the net plant efficiency and emission of CO[2]. The cycles were based on a six oxy-fuel, one post-combustion and two pre-combustion capture concept. This paper presented the results of an environmental evaluation performed by the application of the Life Cycle Analysis [LCA] method using SimaPro model to compare an Advanced Zero Emission Power Plant [AZEP] concept with a conventional combined cycle power plant from 50MW to 400MW. The LCA study was built upon the calculation and the comparison of several impacts [emissions of CO[2], CO, NO[X], and SO[X], consumption of water and primary energy] and several impact categories [climate change, acid rain, ozone depletion and Ecotoxicity]. The work was developed entirely using the Eco-indicator99 of the LCA method. The results showed that for all studied impacts, the AZEP power plants have fewer impacts. However, compared to the conventional combined cycle power plants, the total primary energy consumption in the AZEP concept is bigger due to the lower electric efficiency

review on environmental process Engineering

In this paper, we introduce environmental systems engineering [ESE] and describe some of its applications combined with process systems engineering [PSE] to problems related to environmental systems. These systems-the water cycle and ecosystem cycles-are complex and highly dynamic, with an uncertainty level comparable to that of chemical systems. To illustrate the challenges of applying PSE to ESE, some novel approaches and examples of the latter are shown for water and wastewater systems. The challenges associated with the modeling, control and optimization of environmental systems provide fascinating opportunities. These opportunities for PSE researchers, as well as the challenges, are the goals of this paper

[Comparision effectivness of extracts of thyme, yarrow, henna and garlic on cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by l. major in animal model [BALB/C]]

Leishmaniasis is not as severe as other diseases, often lesions are selfhealing. For various reason as long lasting duration of lesions and treatment, disfiguring scar reminding, secondary infection in lesions, have comfortable treatment method and accessible with less cost, it is necessary various method of treatment with less side effect. The results of previous studies showed that Indoleanalogues, Terpens, Iridoids, Quinones and Alkaloid hemisynthetic derivatives have promising antileishmanial potential. These derivatives were found in Thyme, Henna Yarrow and Garlic. Access to formulation drug without harmful chemical material and without side effect. After Inoculation of parasite in base tail of mice, during of three weeks caused lesions in inoculation place, then animal divided to 9 groups. In this study we used 4 alchoholic extract solution 2 times a day. we checked lesions weekly for six week and meseaured size of lesion in the base of tail with kulis - vernieh. Data of study analyzed with Anova, Paired t test and schefeh. We observed significant difference between mean of lesion in before and after treatment in control, Yarrow [Bomadaran] and Thyme [Avishan] groups [p<0.05]. Paired t test showed that there were not significant difference between mean of lesion in after treatment between groups of treatment and glucantime groups [p>0.05]. Alchoholic extract to Avishan and Boomadaran have good effect on lesions treatment, we suggest that the study could be repeated with Thyme [Avishan] and Yarrow [Bomadaran] extract in gel or cream base in first stage of lesions appearance

Application of an environmentally optimum cooling water system design in water and energy conservation

Recirculating cooling water systems are consist of a cooling tower and heat-exchanger network which conventionally have a parallel configuration. However, reuse of water between different cooling duties enables cooling water networks to be designed with series arrangements. This will results in performance improvement and increased cooling tower capacity. Research on recirculating cooling water systems has mostly focused on the individual components. However, a particular design method represented by Kim and Smith accounts for the whole system interactions. In this study, the Kim and Smith design method is expanded and a comprehensive simulation model of recirculating cooling system was developed to account for the interaction between the cooling tower performance and the heat-exchanger network configuration. Regarding this model and considering cycle water quality through introducing ozone treatment technology, a modern methodology of recirculating cooling water system design was established and developed. This technique, called the integrated ozone treatment cooling system design, is a superior designed tool based on pinch analysis and mathematical programing. It also ensures maximum water and energy conservation, minimum cost and environmental impacts. Related coding in MATLAB version 7.3 was used for the illustrative example to get optimal values in cooling water design method computations. The result of the recently introduced design methodology was compared with the Kim and Smith design method

Development of a latex agglutination method for diagnosis of rotavirus infections

Rotavirus is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children with gastroenteritis. Since the discovery of rotaviruses, several techniques have been used for their laboratory diagnosis; those included Electron Microscopy [EM] and enzyme immunoassay. These methods, however, are expensive and not readily available everywhere. We have developed a technique which can be used for routine diagnosis of rotavirus gastroenteritis. Purified simian rotavirus, SA1 1, was injected into rabbits and the y-globulin fraction of antisera was purified and used for coating of latex beads. The prepared sensitizied latex was then used for agglutination test on fecal samples. 94 stool samples from infants with acute gastroenteritis were tested by [EM], enzyme immunoassay and Latex Agglutination [LA] method. The sensitivity of enzyme immune assay and [LA] were 92.5% and 90%, respectively; the specificity of both tests was 98.1% as compared with [EM]. Latex Agglutination Test [LAT] is a simple and relatively inexpensive test which can be used for diagnosis of rotavirus gastroenteritis in diagnostic laboratories and health centers

Antifungal effects of water, alcoholic and phenolic extracts of seeds and leaves of sorghum bicolor [l.] moench on fusarium solani and F. poae

Fusarium from Tuberculariacea family is listed as one capable of causing mycetomas in human, animals and plants. In this investigation, antifungal activity of water, metanolic and phenolic extracta of seeds and leaves of sorghum bicolor were studied on Fusarium poae and F. solani. Primarily, the crude water extracts at 7 concentrations of 0-50mg/l were tested. The concentrations of 10 and 40 mg/1, showed inhibitor effects on F. poae. The methanol extracts at different concentrations were tested. 20, 30and 40 mg/1 [Specially 30 mg/0 of metanolic extract showed antifungal activity agianst F. poae. The phenolic compouns [0 - 25mg/l] showed high antifungal activity on F. solani and F. poae

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand, Islamic Republic of Iran

We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand in a sample of 1824 subjects > 5 years in 2002. Face- to- face interviews were conducted and blood samples taken. The association between risk factor and hepatitis B was assessed using logistic regression. The prevalence of HbsAg positive cases was 2.3%, and HBcAb and HBsAb were isolated in 7.8% and 11.6% of the participants respectively; 11.9% were positive for both HBcAb and HBsAb. History of surgery and imprisonment were the major risk factors for infection with odds ratios of 2.14 [95% CI: 1.22- 3.05] and 3.57 [95% CI: 1.68- 5.4] respectively

[ effect of physical activity on spontaneous electroencephalographic activity in rat]

Exercise and physical activity are important factors for human health. It has been reported that exercise can be considerably useful in the treatment of psychological diseases. In the present study the effect of running on Spontaneous electroencephalographic activity [EEG] of rats was investigated. Male wistar rats weighting 190-250 gr were selected and divided into control and exercise groups. The animals of exercise group were run on treadmill [I hour a day] for duration of two weeks. Then the animals in both groups were anesthetized with urethane and EEGs of them were recorded. In the exercise group alpha, beta and theta waves significantly increased and delta waves deceased in comparison to the control group. In the present study high frequency- low voltage waves increased and low frequency-high voltage waves decreased in the exercise group. This provides further support to the earlier supposition that increase in high frequency- low voltage waves represent promotion of consciousness. It seems that exercise could increase alertness