Removal of Azo dyes from aqueous solutions by biomass of brown algae Cystoseira indica

Background: The effluent of textile industries is high dyefully and this is one of most problems for environmental health engineers. Two Azo dyes biosorption, direct black 19 and direct red 23, on Cystoseira indica, an invasive macroalga in Iran, has been investigated using visible absorption spectroscopy

Material and methods: Pre-treatment and chemical cross-linking with CaCl2, have been conducted in order to improve the stability as well as the biosorption capacity of the algal biomass. All measurements were conducted by UV-Visible Spectrophotometer. The effects of operating parameters such as contact time, pH, initial dye concentration and amount of biosorbent on the dye removal efficiency were investigated. The biosorption has been described in terms of isotherm and kinetic models; from the maximum adsorption capacity values, an estimation of the algal specific surface area was made

Results: It has been found that biosorption kinetics can be described according to the pseudo second order model and biosorption equilibrated for 120 min [89.3% of direct red 23 and 69.02% of direct black 19 removed]. Maximum biosorption found at pH 5 [2.4mg/g]. It also observed increasing initial dye concentration and decreasing biomass dosage would reduce dye removal. Isotherm studies also revealed the dye biosorption on algal biomass followed from Freundlich model

Conclusion: Biosorption of selected Azo dyes onto algal biomass, Cystoseira indica was fast and more dye is eliminated in the first hour. So, by determining the optimum conditions of contact time, pH, initial dye concentration and biosorbent dosage, Cystoseira indica can be used as an inexpensive sorbent for removal of Azo dyes from aqueous solutions

[ effect of solid waste compost on leaching and adsorption of heavy metals from silt-loamy soils]

Leaching of nutrients and heavy metals from municipal solid waste compost leads to accumulation of certain elements in soil layers, causing underground water pollution. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of compost on leaching and adsorption of heavy metals and nutrients [sodium, potassium, and sulfate] from silt-loamy soils. In this empirical, applied study, three polyethylene columns [height 50 cm, inner diameter 10 cm], filled with sandy clay loam soil, were randomly selected. Then, 10 kg of compost per square meter were sprayed onto the columns, and leachates exiting the columns were routinely analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, sulfate, sodium, potassium, lead, chromium, and cadmium. Data analysis was performed with Excel and SPSS software using Kruskall-Wallis test. The data showed that the use of enriched and unenriched compost leachate decreased pH [from 7.43 +/- 17.0 to 6.7 +/- 0.25 and 7.07 +/- 0.11, respectively] and increased the electrical conductivity [EC] [from 1.8 +/- 0.3 mSiemens/m to 3.7 +/- 0.12 and 12.87 +/- 0.41 mSiemens/m respectively]. Leakage of metals in the unenriched treatments was not significantly different from the control [p > 0.78], but leakage with three metal-enriched compost applications was significant compared with control [p < 0.001]. Application of composts containing heavy metals onto loamy soils increases leaching of heavy metals from the compost into groundwater. Therefore, frequent use of compost endangers groundwater quality

Evaluating mortality rate caused by electrolyte abnormalities in hospitalized patients

Adjustment of composition of body fluids and electrolytes is one of the most important aspects of patients care. Sodium and Potassium are the most important body cations, the improper adjustment of them will cause sever disorders in neuromuscular, gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Acute renal failure indicated by increase in creatinine and nitrogen urea, brings an accumulation of fluids, salts and metabolites of nitrogen in body. This study intends to assess the status of electrolyte abnormalities and mortality rates of the patients hospitalized in ICU wards in our country. This is a descriptive and retrospective study on the records of 378 patients hospitalized in ICU. A questionnaire was prepared and the data were entered in SPSS system. They were statistically analyzed by using chi-square and fisher's Exact test methods. Out of 378 patients hospitalized in ICU, over 2/3 of them were male and over half of them were>45 years old. Frequency distribution of electrolyte abnormalities was as follows: Hyponatremia 59% hypernatremia 23% hypokalemia 37% hyperkalemia 28%, 35% and 21% of patients had respectively BUN and creatinine more than the normal range. 26% of patients hospitalized in ICU had nonsurgical problems and 74% of the patients had surgical problems. Average time of hospitalization in ICU was 85 days and mortality rate was 35%. The most common electrolyte abnormality was related to variation in serum sodium levels in the form of hyponatremia. And the highest prevalence electrolyte abnormality in dead patients was hyponatremia. This study proves that the prevalence of electrolyte abnormalities is directly related to mortality and increase in hospitalization period and those having undergone surgical operations during hospitalization in ICU, manifested more abnormalities

[ Comparison of the early complications of surgical wounds in two methods of open surgery and laparoscopy in Milad Hospital]

The complications of surgical wounds [esp. wound infections] are considered as a major problem in surgery wards. Complications of surgical wounds are classified as early and late complications. Among the common and early complications are hernatoma, serurna and wound infection. In the recent years, the modern technology especially. Laparoscopic intervention has brought about great developments in general and specific surgical operations. This study was carried out on 210 bedridden patients operated in Milad Hospital during the years 82-84 .The patients were classified into two groups: group A [106 patients] and group B [104 patients] were operated by open surgery and laparoscopy, respectively. The patients were candidate for the two methods on a randmized basis and the statistical test used was proportional test carried out in experimental method and in the from of clinical trial. Out of 210 patients, there were 130 female and 80 male patients. The rates of relative frequency of early complications were 8 and 1 respectively among 106 patients having undergone open surgical operations and 104 patients having undergone laparoscopic operations [P<0.05]. This study proves that there are fewer early complications of surgical wounds under method, tissue damage is smaller so there will be smaller dissection and since vascular damage is smaller, early complications less frequently

[Comparing the early complications of surgical wounds in two methods of open surgery and laparoscopy in Milad Hospital]

Incidence of early wound related complications was assessed in laparoscopic versus open abdominal surgeries. Complications of surgical wounds [esp. wound infections] are considered as a major problem in surgery wards. Complications of surgical wounds are classified as early and late. Common and early complications are hematoma, seruma and wound in fection. Medical records of 104 elective laparoscopic [A] and 106 diagnosis matched open surgeries [B] including appendectomy, cholecystectomy, ventral hernia repair, and bariatric surgery were prospectively reviewed. Study data included patients' sex, age, wound class, type of operation, and occurrence of early wound related complications. Surgical wounds were evaluated for presence of early complications during the post-op period and 10 to 15 days after the operation. The two groups were not different with respect to age, sex and wound classes. No patients in group A and 7 patients in group B developed wound infection. [P<0.05] Incidence of Hematoma was similar in the two groups; one case in each. No patient in the two groups experienced seruma and wound dehiscence. Gender, age and wound classes were not associated with higher rates of wound complications. Laparoscopic surgery significantly reduced the incidence of early wound complications, specially wound infection, and is a safe and effective alternative to conventional open procedures

analysis of hydatid cyst surgeries in Tehran Milad Hospital, Iran, during 2001-2004

Hydatidosis is a zoonotic disease which is due to infectivity with larval stage of dog tapeworm,"Echinococcus granulosus". The disease is chronic and cysts can be lodged in different organs of the intermediate hosts. It has cosmopolitan distribution and impact health and economical challenges for the many countries throughout the world. In Iran, human cases are constantly reported from different medical centers, Therefore, accurate information on the distribution of the disease is first step for the control and prevention. In this descriptive study, demographic information [sex, age, occupation] about patients who underwent hydatid cyst surgeries during 2001-2004 in Tehran Milad Hospital were collected and analyzed. Among 78 patients who had hydatid cyst operations in Milad hospital, 56.5% were female and 43.5% male. Liver was the most commonly invovled organ. According to the result of this study, females were found more infected with hydatid cysts than males

[Effects of splenectomy on CBC changes in patients with ITP]

ITP is one of the most common cause of thrombocytopenia encountered in medical practice. The disorder has been estimated to affect approximately 1 in 10000 in the general population and to account for 0.18% of the hospital admissions. This study is performed to determine the response of the patients with ITP to splencetomy. This is a descrptive analytical cross-sectional study. The hospital files of 20 patients with ITP who were splenctomized in two university educational hospital were studied during 4 years. The samples were collected by census and one file was excluded because of its deficiency. The data were analyzed by using SPSS software. The mean ITP value was 30928 +/- 14352 SD during the two days before operation versus 476809 + 83252 SD during the two days after it [P=0.000]. The mean ITP value was 476809+83252 SD versus 381432+81265 SD during the two days after the operation and approximately one-year follow up, respectively [P=0.003]. According to our results, splenectomy is a suitable treatment for the patients with ITP. We suggest this procedure to all patients who are indicated in every age, because there is no correlation between its success and the patient's age, his response to previous medical treatments or diagnosis-splencetomy interval

[ comparison of total intravenous anesthesia [propofol, alfentanyl plus midazolam, alfentanyl] with general anesthesia in D and C patients]

Background: Total Intravenous Anesthesia [TIVA] compared to general anesthesia has some pits and falls. Many drugs have been employed for this anesthesia. Propofol is accounted as the last advent anesthetic drug. It belongs to alkyl phenol families and has been accounted one of the best choices for the continuous infusion. Invention of midazolam as the first water soluble benzodiazepine was also an important event in anesthesia and it can be used as continuous infusion for the anesthesia

Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, alfentanyl plus propofol or midazolam were used for TIVA anesthesia in 60 female patients undergoing Dilatation and Curettage [D and C] in Dr. Shariati hospital in March 2002 till March 2003. They were allocated reandomly in two group of alfentanyl plus propofol [propofol group] or alfentanyl plus midazolam [midazolam group]

Results: There was no significant difference in mean of age between propofol group and midazolam group [P>0.05], also There was no significant difference in preanesthesia condition such as blood pressure and heart rate between propofol group and midazolam group [p>0.05]. After induction of anesthesia there was a gross blood pressure decrease in both group that it was greater in midazolam group [85 mmHg versus 73 mmHg, P<0.05 ] following this, there was an increase in heart rate in both groups that it was modest in propofol group [98 Beat/Sec versus 118 Beat/Sec, P<0.05]. There was no significant difference in mean infused alfentanyl [P>0.05] also there was just one naloxane injection in midazolam group that have no significant difference between groups [P>0.05]. Recovery room stay was significantly lower in propofol group [25 minutes versus 39 minutes, P<0.05]

Conclusion: The results of this study was similar to Vuyk et.al. In their study there was a significant lower recovery time estimated by psychomotor reflexes and there was significant lower drowsiness, place and time orientation time compared to midazolam group. Finally according to the results of this study it can be resulted that TIVA with propofol is more suitable than midazolam and it can lower hospitalization time and cost. In future studies using other narcotics and other narcotics-anesthetic compounds with various dose can be mentioned