[Effect of interleukin-12 p40 subunit gene 3'-untranslated region polymorphism in chronic HCV infection]

Production of unusual cytokine levels in hepatitis C infection appears to be associated with progression of the disease, persistence of the virus in host, and establishment of chronic disease. Interleukin-12 as a heterodimeric immunoregulating cytokine is important in the generation of a Th1-based immune response. In this study we investigated the role of IL-12B 3'UTR polymorphism in susceptibility to chronic hepatitis C infection. A total of 126 chronic hepatitis C patients and 136 healthy blood donors were genotyped for IL12-p 40-3' UTR polymorphism. Genotyping was carried out by PCR-RFLP method. The results were confirmed by analyzing 10% of the samples by direct sequencing. We found no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of the 3'UTR polymorphism between chronic hepatitis C patients and healthy controls. There was no association between IL12B-3'UTR polymorphism and chronic hepatitis C infection. Our study can be useful in regard to the factors regulating IL-12 production, and its consequent impact on chronic hepatitis C infection susceptibility in Iranian population

Methyl tert-butyl ether adsorption on surfactant modified natural zeolites

Surfactant-modified clinoptilolite-rich tuff was used for the removal of methyl tert-butyl ether [MTBE] from aqueous solutions. Clinoptilolite zeolite from Miyaneh region of Iran was treated with sodium chloride and then modified with hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride [HDTMA-Cl] and n-Cetylpyridinium bromide [CPB] to be used in different experimental conditions. The ability of raw or Non-Modified Zeolite [NMZ] and Surfactant-Modified Zeolites [SMZ] to remove MTBE from aqueous solutions was investigated as a function of contact time, pH and concentrations of adsorbent and adsorbate, by using a batch technique in aqueous system. The removal of MTBE from aqueous solutions by modified zeolites seemed to be more effective than non-modified samples. Also, HDTMA-modified zeolite had more effective performance than CPB-modified zeolite. The adsorption efficiency of MTBE onto SMZ[S] was found to increase by contact time and adsorbent concentrations, and by decreasing of pH and adsorbate concentrations. Empirical adsorption models of Langmuir and Freundlich were applied for the experimental data. Results showed that Langmuir isotherm was more suitable for this process. The experimental data fitted very well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. It was overally found that Surfactant-Modified Zeolites is an effective adsorbent for removal of methyl tert-butyl ether from contaminated solutions

[Reduction of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution using modified zeolite cationic surfactant]

Hexavalent Chromium is an important contaminant in surface and ground waters and removal from contaminated water and waste water has received interest in recent years. Modified Zeolite with cationic surfactant can remove Cr[VI] from contaminant water. The aim of this research is investigation of Cr [VI] removal from aqueous solutions and its effective parameters by using Modified Zeolite with cationic surfactant. In this research the efficiency of Cr[VI] removal and impact of the important parameters including adsorbent dose, pH and contact time in the batch system was studied. The results of this research showed that SMZ can remove more than 90% Cr[VI] in the concentration 0.1-1.25 mg/l with optimum dose 0.3 gr and pH=6, 120 minute in contact time. Modified natural zeolite have significant potential in Cr[VI] removal from contaminated water. Maximum percent removal of Cr[VI] was in the pH=6 and 120 minute contact time. Adsorption data in the equilibrium was fitted with Langmuir isotherm. Separation factor was between 0 and 1 that indicates the favorable condition for Cr[VI] adsorption on the SMZ

[Outcomes of open leg fractures treated with external fixator and relating factors]

Open leg fractures are serious problems with high incidence and several complicated consequences in affected patients. There is no reliable record in this regard in Iranian medical literature. This study assesses the results of open leg fractures treated with external fixator in Imam Hossein hospital in a 3 year periods; 2003-2006. At an experimental study, all the patients with open leg fracture, referred to Imam Hossein hospital and treated with external fixator monolateral [AO] evaluated. All the patients were encouraged to bear weight early and dynamization was performed in relation to amount of comminution. Patients were visited every 4 to 6 weeks during the treatment. Minimal follow up was 8 months and the results of treatment were evaluated using a requirement for both secondary procedures and quality of reduction. In addition, effect of age, gender, grade, fracture type and causes of injury on this two problems were calculated with Fisher's exact and Chi-square tests. 58 patients referred to Imam Hossein hospital and 8 ones were excluded from study owing to different intervening causes. 10% of patients needed secondary procedures. Exact reduction was performed at 64%. Fractures with comminution, grade III Gustilo and displacement of more than 2mm had high probability of secondary procedures [P<0.02]. Mean time of union was 22 weeks. Fractures with exact reduction had lesser mean time compared to others. External fixator is a safe implant in treatment of open leg fractures and we recommend further clinical trials with control groups

Removal of chromate ion from contaminated synthetic water using MCM-41/ZSM-5 composite

In the present study removal of chromate anion [CrO[4][2-] from a synthetic aqueous solution by a synthesized MCM-41/ZSM-5 composite and its modified form with the anionic surfactant of hexadecyl-teri methyl ammonium bromide; [surfactant modified composite] was investigated. According to the data obtained from batch test of MCM-41/ZSM-5 composite and surfactant modified composite, it is obvious that modification of the composite with anionic surfactant improves its affinity toward the oxyanion [917mL/g for MCM-41/ZSM-5 composite in comparison to 1870mL/g for surfactant modified composite]. It was concluded that sorption capacity and selectivity of the composite will be remarkly improve toward chromate anion by modification of its surface by a surfactant; therefore surfactant modified composite is a suitable candidate for removal of chromate anion from contaminated solutions

Synthesis, activity and thermal stability of gold nanoparticle on modified NH[4]-Y type zeolite for cooxidation

Gold nanoparticle is the active catalyst for CO oxidation at low temperature. This feature of gold base catalysts is suitable to overcome the problem of cold-start problem of automobile exhaust TWC converters. In this study gold nanoparticle were deposited on modified NH[4]-Y type zeolite. The activity of synthesized catalyst was measured in a fixed-bed quartz-tubular reactor [7mm i.d.] under atmospheric pressure. In order to investigate the catalytic activities toward CO oxidation reaction, 31mL/min of air and 0.155mL/min of carbon monoxide were mixed and then passed through the reactor. It was found that activity of Au/Y catalyst was 100% at 20°C. The thermal stability of Au/Y catalyst was measured at 400°C for 4h. The activity of the catalyst was decreased to 65% at 20°C after thermal stability test. Results of Energy Dispersive Analysis by X-rays before and after thermal stability have showed that Au content of these samples were 3.89% and 1.76, respectively. It was found that the amount of Au content decreased after thermal stability process. Fourier Transform Infrared [FT-IR] spectra showed no changes in framework structure of zeolite during thermal stabilization process of the catalyst

Removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether [mtbe] vapour from contaminated air streams using different bacterial cultures in biotrickling filters

The treatment of methyl 1 tertiary butyl 1 ether [MTBE] vapors in biotrickling filters for air pollution control was investigated using different bacterial cultures. In the first phase, reactor was inoculated by the indigenous organisms and in the next phase, an aerobic microbial consortium able to biodegrade MTBE was used for reactor bed inoculation. Result was obtained only by specific organism: reactor was able to remove MTBE, after a short adaptation phase. Laboratory scale biotrickling filters were able to degrade up to 25 g/m.h with removal efficiency of 90%. They also showed a low rate of biomass accumulation

Evaluation of some natural zeolites and their relevant synthetic types as sorbents for removal of arsenic from drinking water

The purpose of this study was to find a relatively inexpensive method for removal of arsenate and arsenite from drinking water. The capability of Iranian natural clinoptilolites, relevant synthetic zeolites A and P and Iron[II] modified of them was investigated for the uptake of arsenic anions from drinking water. Data obtained from ion-exchange using batch [static] technique showed that among the investigated zeolites, modified synthetic zeolite A was the most selective sorbent for removal of arsenic. In this study, the influence of factores including temperature, arsenic concentration, pH and zeolite particle size on removal of arsenic species from water was also determined and studied

Removal of ammonia from air, using three Iranian natural Zeolites

Ammonia in air can be hazardous to human and animal life and should be removed from the environment. Recently the removal of environmental pollutants such as ammonia by means of natural and modified zeolites has attracted a lot of attention and interests. In this study the capability of three Iranian natural zeolites [Clinoptilolite] in point of view of removal of ammonia from air was investigated. Through this research, different zeolites from various regions of Iran including Semnan, Meyaneh, and Firoozkooh resources were considered to be studied. These samples of zeolites were ground and granulized into 425 microm to 4 mm and were utilized in dynamic sorption experiments. Curves of sorption were plotted and breakthrough and saturated points of zeolite samples were obtained. The adsorption capacities at different ammonia concentrations, temperatures, and flow - rates were also calculated. Results obtained showed that, the natural Iranian zeolite [Clinoptilolite] was identified to be more efficient adsorbent than the others to remove ammonia from the air. In the same conditions, the obtained breakthrough time for clinoptilolite sample of Meyaneh was longer than the others [ 135min ], while, the adsorption capacity of Semnan clinoptilolite was higher than adsorbents [ 6.30 mg /g] [P<0.0001].