[Inhibition effect of antibiotics ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin and hormone beta-stradiol 17 valerat on the methanogenic activity of anaerobic biomass]

Antibiotics and hormones are excreted with other wastes following their influences on bodies. These substances can disturbed treatment process by their entery to the wastewater. In this study the inhibitory behavior of antibiotics Ofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin and hormone beta stradiol 17- valerat have been investigated on Specific Methanogenic Activity [SMA] of anaerobic biomass. Twenty one SMA tests were done using 120-mLvials in batch mode. In each vial, substrate, biomass and biogas were occupied 66, 17, and 17% [v/v], respectively. Each test longed in range of 15-30 days. Produced methane was measured by gas replacement with 2N KOH solution as CO2 absorbent. In this study, at the concentrations of 200, 500 and 1000 mg/L of antibiotic Ofloxacin, the methane production reduced to 45, 76 and 88 percent, respectively. Reduced methane production of 68, 81 and 88 percent was observed in Ciprofloxacin concentrations of 100, 200, and 500 mg/L, respectively. Cumulative methane at the concentrations of 0.1, 1, and 5 mg E2 /L was 66, 90, and 121 mL, respectively Antibiotic Ciprofloxacin at concentrations similar to the antibiotic Ofloxacin have a greater inhibitory effect on specific methanogenic activity of anaerobic biomass. Also, the hormone E2 at lower concentrations showed more inhibitory effect than other two antibiotics Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin

Determination of biokinetic coefficients for activated sludge processes on municipal wastewater

Biokinetic coefficients and efficiency for three activated sludge processes including conventional, extended aeration, and contact stabilization were determined in pilot-scale for six months in Isfahan south municipal wastewater treatment plant. These systems were operated under two different MLSS concentrations in aeration tank. For each MLSS, five periods were considered in base of flow rate and sludge retention time [SRT]. The samples from the influent wastewater, reactor and effluent were collected periodically and experimented by the Standard Methods. The data were analyzed by the Excel and SPSS softwares. The investigation showed that the yield coefficient [Y], decay coefficient [kd], maximum specific growth rate and saturation constant [Ks] for conventional activated sludge process were in the range of 0.48-0.8 mgVSS/mg sCOD, 0.0189-0.026 1/day, 0.95-0.98 1/day and 52-71 mg sCOD/L, extended aeration: 0.6174-1.2512 mgVSS/mg sCOD0.0198-0.0309,1/day 1.96-3.17, 1/day and 311.7-508 mg sCOD/L and for contact stabilization: 0.6322-0.713 mgVSS/mg sCOD1 0.0172-0.0387, /d0.23-1 0.42/d and13.8-50.8 mg sCOD/L, respectively. In the conventional and contact stabilization processes values of the coefficients were within the range of those reported in the literature. However, in the extended aeration process, values of Ks and Y in MLSS of 5000mg/L were out of ranges. The sensitivity analysis of changes in the biokinetic coefficients showed direct relationship of kd and Ks with the concentration of the effluent substrate. Whereas micro [max] is inversely related to concentration of the effluent substrate. In addition, regardless of the type of substrate and MLSS concentration, the effluent substrate concentration is more sensitive to micro [max] than kd and Ks. The results also showed a COD removal efficiency ranging for conventional process between 83 and 92.5%, for extended aeration process between 88 and 93.8%, and for contact stabilization process 77 and 92%. The effluent COD was simulated using the biokinetic coefficients determined during the study

Determination of antibodies [IgG, IgM] against toxoplasma gondii in patients with cancer

The aim of this study was determination of antibodies [IgG, IgM] against Toxoplasma in malignant patients in order to refer the patients on time to the physician for treatment. This study was carried out on 252 malignant patients and 252 healthy normal subjects [as control] obtained from Shafa Hospital and Medical Diagnostic Laboratory [Iran-Zamin], in Ahwaz city. Patient's information was recorded in a questionnaire before sampling. Serum samples of patients were examined for IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA technique using Trinity kits. The results of this study revealed the presence of Toxoplasma antibodies in 114 [45.2%] cases of patients who were positive for Toxoplasma IgG antibodies, and 26 [10.3%] cases were confirmed to be positive for Toxoplasma IgM antibodies and also 17 [6.7%] of cases had both IgG and IgM antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. In control group 92 [36.5%] cases and 15 [6%] cases revealed seropositive for IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. There were no significant differences between sex, close contact with cat, living region, chemotherapy, and seropositivity rate of toxoplasmosis in patients. Comparing the age groups, the highest seropositive rate showed in the age of 51 years or higher, and their rates had tendency to increase with age in both groups. No seropositivity significant relationship was found between patients and control group. According to the prevalence of positive cases in these patients, it is necessary to examine the patients for toxoplasmosis before, during and after chemotherapy

Identification of cutaneous leishmaniasis agents by nested polymerase chain reaction [Nested-PCR] in Shush city, Khuzestan province, Iran

Leishmaniasis is a common parasitic disease worldwide. Leishmania tropica and L. major are two common cause of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. The aim of this study was determination of the cause of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Shush city, Khouzestan Province, Southwest Iran. One hundred samples were collected from patients at the age of 1-80 year with documented cutaneous leishmaniasis referred to the health centre and a private medical diagnostic laboratory at Shush City. DNA was extracted from slid samples by phenol- chloroform- Isoemil alcohol method, and subjected to Nested-PCR as template. k DNA of the parasites were amplified by CSB1XR and CSB2XF in the first round of PCR and 13Z and Li R primers for the second round. After PCR, electrophoresis of products was performed and 750bp band from L. tropica and 560bp band from L. major were detected. A total of 100 cases comprising 47 females and 53 males were studied. The highest infected age group was under 10 years with a rate of 42% and the lowest rate was 4% at the age group of above 40 years. The results of PCR electrophoresis indicated that 90[90%] cases were L. major and 10 [10%] L. tropica. The predominant species in this area was L. major. It is concluded that Nested PCR is a reliable test for diagnosis and identification of Leishmania species and can apply in epidemiological investigations

[Fish tank granuloma in a 16 year-old male; a case report]

Fish tank or swimming granuloma caused by Mycobacterium marinum is an opportunist pathogen commonly found in aquatic environments. We present a 16 year-old boy with frequent exposure to aquarium water who had several nodules [sprotrichoid forms] on his right hand. Pervious studies showed that fish tank granuloma is a rare skin infection [0.27 per 100,000 population in one year]. However, taking proper history and considering the patient's signs and symptoms could be helpful in diagnosis and treatment