[Electricity generation from synthetic wastewater treatment in microbial fuel cell]

Microbial fuel cell [MFC] used for electricity generation and wastewater treatment, simultaneously. In MFC, microorganisms act as a catalyst to convert chemical energy stored in organic materials into electrical energy. This study was performed with the aim of electricity generation from synthetic wastewater treatment in microbial fuel cell. A dual chambered microbial fuel cell was operated in continuous flow for 720 hours at temperature 20 +/- 4 °C at different organic loading rates and hydraulic retention times. Organic loading rate and hydraulic retention time were effective factors for the power production and removal of organic loading rate. Maximum COD removal efficiency was observed as 49% for a period of 1.5 to 2.5 hours that this range of time can be used as optimum retention time for operation of microbial fuel cell reactor. Maximum voltage and power production were obtained 700 mV and 1700 mW/m[2], respectively. Considering the advantages such as direct electricity generation from wastewater and considerable removal efficiency of organic loading rate, wastewater treatment in a microbial fuel cell, application of industrial scale microbial fuel cell for wastewater treatment is recommended after complementary studies and economic assessment

effect of Frankincense in the treatment of moderate plaque-induced gingivitis: a double blinded randomized clinical trial

Extract of Boswellia Serrata species has been used in the Indian traditional medicine in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. The present study was designed to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of Frankincense in the treatment of gingivitis, which is a periodontal tissue inflammatory disease. This double blind randomized placebo controlled trial was carried out among high school female students with moderate plaque-induced gingivitis. Based on either administration of 0.1 gram of Frankincense extract or 0.2 gram of its powder or placebo and whether the patients undergone scaling and root planning [SRP] or not, they were randomly assigned to 6 groups. The primary efficacy outcome was changes in Gingival Index [Loe and Sillness] and the secondary outcomes were alteration in plaque index [Sillness and Loe], bleeding index [Cowell] and probing pocket depth [WHO probe]. All indices were measured in the 0, 7th and 14th days of the study. Seventy five patients ranged of 15-18 years old were enrolled. At the end of the study, the indices in all groups showed significant decreases in comparison to the first day [p<0.05], except for the bleeding index in the group without SRP and drug therapy [p=0.111]. More precise analysis of data revealed that SRP in association with Frankincense application [either extract or powder] can lead to remarkable decrease in inflammatory indices in comparison to the groups without SRP and drug therapy [p<0.001]. In addition, no significant difference was observed between powder or extract therapy [p>0.05] and between patients received either SRP or treatment alone [p=0.169]. Frankincense, a safe and low-cost herbal medicine, may be feasibly applied to improve inflammation based disease of gingival as an adjunct to the conventional mechanical therapy