[Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants of Joopar mountains of Kerman province, Iran]

Access to the non-documented experiences and information is one of the valuable ways for developing pharmaceutical sciences and a basis for production of new drugs. Ethnobotany is the science of recovering endangered non-documented traditions. Protection of these traditions would be a precious guide to gain access to new drug sources. The aim of this study was to identify and introduce the ethnobotany of Joopar mountain region in Kerman province, Iran. Traditional knowledge and belifes of ethnic groups were documented using a questionnaire and by interview. Documentary studies of medical and pharmaceutical sources and identification and scientific nomination of medicinal plants were done. Ethnobotanic information of the plants was recorded and some of the plants were used for phytochemical studies. The presence of 65 plant species belonging to 30 plant families was proved. Laminaceae family constituted the major flora of the region [15.85%]. The most use of the plants was in gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. From about 65 plant specices, a number of 35 speciea were tannin and flavonoid positive, 26 plants exhibited positive reaction to alkalods and 15 species exhibited positive reaction to saponins. Considering the originality of the region and non-documented information about the plants of this region, using our findings can design appropriate programs for developing the medicinal plants compatible with the ecological conditions of this region

Evaluation of aluminum-coated pumice as a potential arsenic [V] adsorbent form water resources

In this study, the removal of As [V] from water resources by using aluminum-coated pumice as a new adsorbent was assessed. The features of the adsorbent coating layer were observed by X-ray diffraction [XRD] and Scanning Electron Microscopy [SEM]. The effects of various parameters such as adsorbent doses, pH, contact time, arsenate initial concentration and interfering ions in arsenic adsorption and achieving high removal efficiency were studied. The results showed that the adsorption of As [V] was extremely influenced by the phosphate interfering ions. It was also defined that more than 98% of As [V] was removed by 10 g/L of the adsorbent with initial As [V] concentration of 250 micro g/L at pH =7 and in 160 minutes. The adsorption equilibrium were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Such equilibriums showed that the adsorption data was well fitted with Freundlich isotherm model [R[2] >0.99]. The data achieved from the kinetic studies were processed by kinetic models of pseudo-first-order. The results indicated that the pseudo-second-order model could describe the adsorption of As [V] by pumice coated with alum [R [2] >0.92]. According to achieved results, it was defined that aluminum-coated pumice not only was an inexpensive absorbent, but also a quite effective factor in removal of As [V] from water resources

Phytoremediation potential of Populus alba and Moms alba for cadmium, chromuim and nickel absorption from polluted soil

Metal pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems resulting from human activity. Phytoremediation utilizes plants to uptake contaminants and can potentially be used to remediate metal-contaminated sites. The present study investigates heavy metal uptake [Cd, Cr, and Ni] from soil by different organs of Populus alba and Moms alba. For this purpose, Cd [40, 80, and 160 mg/kg], Cr [60, 120, and 240 mg/kg] and Ni [120, 240, and 480 mg/kg] were added to the soil in pot experiments over the course of a growing season in open air. The total concentration of these metals was measured in the roots, stems, green leaves, fallen leaves, and the corresponding soil. Our results show that the highest accumulation of all studied metals was found in the leaves. Furthermore, the fallen leaves had higher concentrations of Cd and Cr in P. alba and Cr and Ni in M. alba when compared to the green leaves. In the two species, Cd and Ni did not transport from the leaves to the roots and stems, or vice versa, in the fall season, but Cr was transported from the roots and stems to the leaves in the 240 and 480 mg/kg treatments.In addition, the determination of a bioconcentration factor and a translocation factor showed that P. alba and M. alba were suitable for phytoextraction of Cd and Ni in all treatments respectively; however, none of the plants was suitable for phytostabilization

Role of metal species in flocculation rate during estuarine mixing

Flocculation can be considered as an effective mechanism in self-purification of metals during estuarine mixing. In the present investigation, flocculation of metals during mixing of Minab River water with the Strait of Hormuz [The Persian Gulf] water is studied for the first time. Flocculation behavior of metals [except for Pb] is governed by dissolved organic carbon. The source of dissolved organic carbon is terrigenous in the estuarine waters of study area. The general pattern of flocculation of studied metals is manganese [180 micro g/L] > zinc [88 micro g/L]> nickle [73 micro g/L]> copper [30 micro g/L]> lead [19 micro g/L]. The results of present study show that metal species are a very important factor in overall flocculation rate. It is found that solids and oxides have the highest and lowest flocculation levels, respectively. Eh-pH diagram indicated that lead is present as lead oxide in Minab River water and the least flocculation rate is attributed to this element. The results also showed that flocculation rate of metal species could be as solids > free ions = hydroxides > oxides. The amount of metal flocculation is about 30.5, 6.6, 25.3, 10.4 and 62.5 ton/y for zinc, Pb, Ni, Cu and Mn, respectively

Thermal comfort evaluation in Tehran metro using relative warmth index

Underground railway systems, can generate heat from their operations to raise the temperatures of carriages and the station substantially. This may lead to passenger discomfort and complain especially in warm weather conditions that prevail in Tehran if underground environment is not cooled. Transportation air conditioning Committee of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and air-conditioning Engineers proposed the Relative Warmth Index for thermal comfort design and investigation in subway environment. In this research, thermal comfort at Tehran metro stations and carriages of lines 1 and 2 has been studied using this index. The measurements were taken during two periods of September 2006 and July 2007 at different zones of stations. For this purpose, temperature, relative humidity and air velocity were measured at different times. The status of the air-conditioning systems together with passenger traffic was also recorded. A total number of 231 measurements including 114 and 117 measurements were carried out in September 2006 and in July 2007 respectively. The measurements in September 2006 did not exceed the thermal limit. However, it did exceed in July 2007. In comparison, with thermal comfort level of metros all over the world, Tehran Metro stands in an acceptable condition, while the maximum capacity of air-conditioning systems was not used, if so the thermal comfort condition would be better

[Antifungal activity of zingiber officinale rose. essential oil against fluconazole resistant vaginal isolates of candida albicans]

Candida albicans is a opportunistic fangi that causes disease in immunosupress patients and can involves different organs. Zingiber officinale Rose, has strengthening effect of memory, decreases blood sugar and it has hypotension and antimicrobial effects. Our point in this research is effection of Zingiber officinale Rose, essential oil against 25 fluconazole resistant vaginal isolates of Candida albicans. There are many different methods for evaluating of drugs sensitiveness in fungi that in this research we used broth microdilution method, in this manner we extracted the essential oil of Zingiber officinale Rose, by means of Clevenger apparatus and then this essential oil effected on Candida albicans isolates in microplate wells and results were studied. the number of samples that were used in this research was twenty five. Three isolates didn't grow up to the dilution of 1/32[nd], four isolates up to the dilution of 1/64[th], eleven isolates up to the dilution of 1/128[th] and seven isolates up to the dilutron of 1/256[th]. in view of the fact that Zingiber officialie Rose, essential oil was effective against all isolates of Candida albicans, we can present an effective essential oil and we recommend antifungal activity of that in clinical studies

[Comparing ginger with mefenamic acid and ibubrofen for the treatment of primary dusmenorrhea]

Primary dysmenorrhea is a frequent entity with known side effects on life quality. Ginger has been shown to inhibit prostaglandins, thus, the present study was designed to compare ginger with mefenamic acid and ibubrofen for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in a group of students in dormitories affiliated to Isfahan and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. For this double-blinded clinical trial, 150 students with primary dysmenorrhea were enrolled. Subjects were matched according to dysmenorrheal severity, then, assigned in 3 equal groups of ginger [250mg], mefenamic acid [250mg], and ibubrofen [400mg] that were all prescribed 4 times a day for 3 days. Groups were matched according to the following criteria: age, age of menarche onset, weight, height, BMI, father's position, maternal occupation and level of education, regular exercise, and duration, interval and amount of menses' bleeding. Finally, verbal multidimensional scoring system was used to assess the efficacy of drugs on dysmenorrhea. ANOVA and chi square were used for data analysis. Dysmenorrheal improvement did not differ significantly among ginger [64%], mefenamic acid [58%] and ibubrofen [66%] groups. Thus, ginger is as effective as mefenamic acid and ibubrofen in alleviating dysmenorrheal symptoms. Ginger is an effective drug for alleviating primary dysmenorrheal symptoms

Origin and chemical partitioning of heavy metals in riverbed sediments

In the present investigation, bulk and chemical partitioning of elements in the Shefa-Rud riverbed sediments are studies. Higher concentrations of elemental concentrations have been observed in estuarine zone when compared with riverine sediments [except for Al, Fe, Pb and Mn]. Manganese is mobilized under anoxic conditions prevailing in the Caspian Sea. Lithogenous materials are greatly diluted in the estuarine zone by various pollutants present in the Caspian Sea. Organic metallic bonds are not significantly present in the area of study. Geological units of the area of study have resulted in the lower concentrations of elemental concentrations of riverbed sediments when compared with published values for mean crust and world sediments ones. Though, cluster analysis has clearly shown the importance of alumina-silicates in controlling the distribution of Fe and Mn in riverbed sediments but it could not depict controlling mechanism for other studied elements. Geochemical Index [Igeo] and Enrichment Factor [EF] values are indicative of a clean environment throughout the river course. These values are in a well agreement with results of chemical partitioning data. Quantification of EF values is not logically possible and therefore Igeo values can be used more effectively

Application of Chitin and Zeolite adsorbents for treatment of low level radioactive liquid wastes

Two types of Shrimp Chitin derivatives and two types of Iranian natural Zeolite derivatives [Firuzkooh Clinoptiliolite] were studied for adsorption and treatment of low-level radioactive liquid waste [LLW]. Chitin with lowers than 10% and Chtiosan with higher than 90% deacetylation factor were selected as natural organic adsorbents. Natural Cliniptilolite of Firuzkooh area and Na form derivatives of it were selected as natural inorganic adsorbents. The static and dynamic ion exchange experimental results show that the adadsorption efficiency depend on particle size, PH, adsorbent type, deacetylation factor [in Chitin adsorbents] and cation type. The best Cs adsorption occurred in Na form Clinoptilolite. Nevertheless Chitin derivatives, particularly Chitosan, are more efficient than Zeolite adsorbents for removing of radionuclides such as [137]Cs, [54]Mn, [90]Sr and [60]Co. Adsorption performance was discussed and compared with each other