Morphological changes of the hippocampal astrocytes at different phases of the estrous cycle in female mice

Usual fluctuations of sex hormones during the estrous cycle in female miceaffect the hippocampal neurogenesis. The hippocampus also comprises many steroidreceptors suggesting the modulatory effects of gonadal hormones on the hippocampalplasticity. Sex differences at the level of structure and function of the hippocampus aremostly due to the fluctuations of steroid hormones during the estrous cycle. The purpose ofthis study was to investigate the morphological changes in hippocampal astrocytes and alsothe expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP] at different phases of the estrouscycle. In this study, different stages of the estrous cycle were determinedin 6-8 week NMRI female mice by methylene blue-stained vaginal smears. Themorphological changes of astrocytes in the hippocampus were investigated using GFAPimmunohistochemistry. In addition to the morphological study, the expression of astrocyticmarker was quantitatively evaluated. GFAP immunostaining showed the changes in the morphology of astrocytes andalso in the serum level of estrogen during the estrous cycle. The highest concentrations ofestrogen and GFAP reactivity were observed in the proestrus stage. Different stages of the estrous cycle in female mice were associated withmorphological changes of hippocampal astrocytes and the alternation in the serum level ofestrogen

[Survey of activated sludge process performance in treatment of agghala industrial town waste water in Golestan Province in 2007]

One of environmental outcomes in industrial towns is developing environmental pollution such as production of industrial wastewaters. These industrial wastewaters should be appropriately treated before entering to receiving waters. However we can't solve environmental anxieties by establishing of wastewater treatment plants alone; but permanent and regular assessment of these treatment plants performance is necessary for achieving environmental standards. Thus, this research has been done in order to investigation of activated sludge performance in wastewater treatment of Agghala industrial town in Golestan province. This cross-sectional study implemented in sewage treatment plant laboratory of Agghala industrial town in Golestan within 12 months at 2007. Chemical Oxygen Demand [COD] parameter determined twice in week, But Biochemical Oxygen Demand [BOD] test accomplished weekly. pH measured by pH meter daily. Experiment of total suspended solids [TSS] and total dissolved solids [TDS] carried out every 10 days. All tests accomplished according to standard method for water and waste water examination [2005]. Then data analyzed using excel 2007. The average of BOD, COD and TSS in influent was 11196.17, 1854.58, 1232.25 mg/L respectively.Maximum influent organic loading rate was related to Shahrivar and Mehr months. The total average of removal efficiency for BOD, COD and TSS was calculated 99.66, 98.2, and 97.6% respectively. Quality of this treatment plant effluent was according to effluent disposal standards all over year. In sum, efficiency of this treatment plant [activated sludge system] was very good in influent pollutant removing. However occasionally effluent was not adapted with environmental standards but these deficiencies is solvable by accurate management and supervision on flow rate and influent organic loading rate easily

[Investigation of environmental indexes of district 1 primary school in Sari, Iran]

The school is the most appropriate place for flourishes children, adolescents and juniors, and prepares safe and vigorous life. Thus, the aim of this research is to study of the hygienic conditions in primary schools in region 1 of Sari city. This article is a descriptive study. In which 45 non-for-profit and governmental schools were sampled using census method. The Fools of sampling was questionnaire filled in during interview with school principals and direct observation. Collected information was analyzed using "Excell" and spss soft wares. The results of this search showed that%93.4 of schools had dimention smaller than minimum standard. Only in%35.6 of schools, lavatory and drinking places were separate and the quality and quantity of lighting in%32 of. schools were classes proper. The most important finding of this search was the ignorant of indicators in environmental health as overlooking of standards, and the schools are merely established on quantity and urgent need despit of their quality