Performance evaluation of combined process of powdered activated carbon-activated sludge [PACT] in textile dye removal

Introduction: The Powdered Activated Carbon Treatment [PACT] has been proposed as an alternative in wastewater treatment and wastewater biomass protection against toxic substances. This study aims to evaluate PACT performance in treating dyes, acid orange, and remazol brilliant reactive blue

Materials and Methods: This empirical- applied research was carried out in pilot scale in which different dye removal systems were tested: activated sludge, PAC, and the combined activated carbon-biomass system. The degradability of selected dyes was evaluated through Zahn-Wellens method. Also, tests continued by adding different concentrations of powdered activated carbon and it's effect on activated sludge in different operating conditions was investigated. American Dye Manufacture Institute [ADMI] method was utilized for determination of dye removal in samples

Results: Results revealed that dye removal in combined carbon-biomass system was faster and more efficient than activated sludge individually. So, in the wastewater with the dye concentration of 100 ppm, the dye removals through biological process alone were equal to 60 % and 12.5 % for acidic and reactive dyes, respectively. The best PAC efficiency in activated sludge process was obtained in 1500 mg/L PAC concentration. Hydraulic Retention Time [HRT] and the optimum temperature of dyes' removal were determined 28 hours and 30 [degree sign], orderly; in these conditions the dye removal efficiency of 98.18 % was obtained. Also the dye removal using activated carbon-biomass system was adequately described by combining the kinetic equations

Conclusion: PACT could be considered as an acceptable and highly efficient method for removal of different dyes in textile industry

Effect of curriculum based on theory of planned behavior, on components of theory in patients with hypertension

Background and Aim: Hypertension is one of the most common and important non-communicable diseases and health problems in the world today; nevertheless, it is preventable and controllable

Theory of Planned Behavior is one of the major theories that explains the process of adopting healthy behaviors. The present study aimed atat determining the effect of the theory on components of theory in patients with hypertension

Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled field trial study was done on 110 patients with hypertension in Zirkouh city who were divided into two equal groups. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire used were determined through face and content validity and through Cronbach's alpha and test-retest, respectively. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software [V: 16] using statistical t-test and repeated analysis of variance

Results: Both groups were similar regarding mean score of the theory components before intervention, but after the intervention the average scores of the experimental group increased. The attitude increased from 48.7 to 64.1, subjective norm from 34.9 to 43.1, perceived behavioral control from 33.8 to 43, intention behavior from 33.9 to 41.09 and behavior from 65.6 to 82.45; and these differences were statistically significant [P<0.001]

However, nosignificant difference was observed in the control group

Conclusion: Regarding the positive effect of education based on The Theory of Planned Behavior in controlling hypertension, planning of a curriculum based on this theory is recommended

Efficiency and kinetic modeling of removal of nutrients and organic matter from a full-scale constructed wetland in Qasr-e-Shirin, Iran

Background: This study assessed the removal of organic material and nutrients from full-scale subsurface flow [SSF] constructed wetlands [CWs] followed by anaerobic stabilization ponds under environmental conditions

Methods: The effluents were distributed evenly in 12 reed beds. Samples were taken twice monthly for a total of 6 months from several points in the wetland. Biochemical oxygen demand [BOD], chemical oxygen demand [COD], total suspended solids [TSS], and nutrient removal from the system and the longitudinal effect of the reed beds for removal of pollutions were determined. A full-scale model of flow, BOD, and nutrients in SSF in the CWs is presented

Results: The flow rate and concentrations of parameters indicated that removal of organic matter and nutrients in the cold months decreased rather than in the hot months, as expected. The removal efficiency for BOD, COD, and TSS and the strongest biological interactions showed no uniform trends. The beds showed the highest removal rates in the first few meters of bed. The hybrid Monod-Plug flow regime and the Stover-Kincannon models showed the best fit for the kinetics of the processes. U[max] in the Stover-Kincannon model was 3.64 mg/l.d for nitrogen and 0.24 mg/l.d for phosphorus. These values are very low, which indicates lower consumption and inefficiency of the system for removing nitrogen and phosphorus

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the SSF in CWs are able to treat average wastewater as effectively as common mechanical systems at lower cost

Knowledge, attitude and performance of wood painter about harmful effects of solvents and dyes on human health

Background: Solvents, which are widely used in industry, are able to dissolve another substance for creating a solution. Solvents have various effects on human health based on their type and chemical composition

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study to investigate the harmful effects of solvents on wood painters in Yazd city. To achieve information, a census questionnaire was prepared and distributed among wood painters. The studied parameters include the mean score of knowledge, attitude, and practice of wood painters about harmful effects of dyes and solvents on body according to age, work experience, education, hours worked per day, and smoking. The data of survey were analyzed by Chi-square test and T-test in SPSS

Results: The average age and work experience of wood painters were 29 and 7.5 years, and the age of 25 years and work experience of 5 years had the highest frequency among them. Analysis of data indicated that 71.8% of people had middle school and lower education level, 68.3% was married, 31.7% was single, and 37.5% was smoking. Average working hours were 8 hours in day

Conclusion: Results show that attitudes had significant correlation with education level and different age groups. None of the studied parameters were not significant correlation with performance. Also, there was significant correlation between knowledge with experience

Carbapenem restriction and its effect on bacterial resistance in an intensive care unit of a teaching hospital

Development of antibiotic resistance in Intensive Care Units [ICUs] is a worldwide problem. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an antibiotic stewardship program [ASP] by carbapenems restriction on gram-negative antimicrobial resistance in ICU. The study was designed in a 21 bedded general ICU of a teaching hospital with two wings [one and two] in Tehran, Iran. Carbapenem prescription in ICU1 was restricted to only the culture proven multi-drug-resistant bacteria with the absence of sensitivity to other antimicrobial agents. Carbapenem had to be prescribed by a trained ICU physician with close consultation with infectious disease specialist and the clinical pharmacist posted in ICU. Post-prescription reviews and de-escalations were carried out by the same team on regular basis. Restriction policy was commenced in January 2011 in ICU1. All documented infections and resistance patterns of isolated pathogens were recorded in both ICUs during two periods of 6 months before and 9 months after restriction policy implementation. During this study bacterial growth was detected in 51.5% of 1601 samples. Carbapenem administration was decreased from 6.86 to 2.75 DDD/100 patients day [60% decreases] pre-restriction and post-restriction respectively. Significant increase in sensitivity of pseudomonas to imipenem was observed in ICU1 comparing with pre-restriction period six months post restriction [p = 0.000]. Sensitivity of Klebsiella and Acinetobacter to imipenem did not change significantly during the study period. Our study demonstrated that restriction of carbapenems can increase sensitivity of P. aeroginosa to imipenem

Letter to the Editor: The Increasing Hepatitis A Incidence in Korea: Is It Possible Within a Limited Time? / 예방의학회지

No abstract available.

Lipid Profiles and Hepatitis C Viral Markers in HCV-Infected Thalassemic Patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The distribution of blood lipids, glucose and their determinants in thalassemic patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has rarely been investigated. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between both liver histologic findings and viral markers and serum lipids in thalassemic patients chronically infected with HCV. METHODS: We enrolled 280 polytransfused thalassemic patients with chronic hepatitis C. HCV viral load was determined using the Amplicor test. Genotyping was performed using genotype specific primers. Fasting serum lipid, glucose, ferritin and liver function enzyme concentrations were measured. A modified Knodell scoring system was used to stage liver fibrosis and to grade necroinflammatory activity. Perls' staining was used to assess hepatic siderosis. RESULTS: Just one subject had total cholesterol >200 mg/dL, and 7% had triglycerides >150 mg/dL. The mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and glucose levels were 37 and 104 (97-111) mg/dL, respectively. Viral markers, liver histological findings and aminotransferase activity were not associated with serum lipid levels. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and ferritin were independent risk factors for impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the patients had blood lipid levels (with the exception of HDL) within the defined normal range; viral and liver histological factors do not appear to play a significant role in changing the levels of serum lipids or glucose in these patients.

Dilemma of HBsAg seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B infection

Patients with chronic hepatitis B infection should be followed up to identify possible changes in disease status, such as HBsAg seronversion. There are little data on the outcome of such cases, and the response rate to HBV vaccine has not been discussed extensively

Hepatitis B virus DNA level as predictor of response to therapy with interferon-alpha-2b [Pdferon] in chronic hepatitis B infection

To evaluate the strength of association and to determine the best prediction of response in terms of sensitivity and specificity among quantitative baseline HBV-DNA levels in blood serum in patients with chronic hepatitis B [CHB] infection who treated with interferon-alpha-2b. Totally, 78 CHB patients with serum HBV-DNA>10[5] copies/mL were treated with interferon-alpha-2b [Pdferon: Pooyesh Darou, Tehran, Iran] for 52 weeks as 5 MU Sc. For 24 weeks in HbeAg[+] and 48 weeks for HbeAg[-] at baseline of study in Tehran, Iran. Serum HBV-DNA level using Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor test and HbeAg status were assessed at baseline and end of 6-months follow-up. Sustained response [SR] [n=42, 56%] was defined by HbeAg seroconversion [n=12], or with a decrease in HBV-DNA >10[5] copies/mL to undetectable value [n=33], or chemical response [n=20]. Higher pretreatment HBV-DNA levels have a significant relationship with better response to treatment in HbeAg [+] [R=0.7, p=0.04]. Positivity of HbeAg in SR was a better predictor of chemical response in our patients, when compared to HbeAg negative [SR: 85% vs. 15%, respectively]. At end of follow up, HbeAg [-] patients revealed more decrease in HBV-DNA levels than HbeAg [+] [412 vs. 290 _10[5] copies/ml, p<0.05]. Sensitivity of HBV-DNA in HbeAg [+] was more than HbeAg[-] [75% vs. 62%], but specificity was less in HbeAg[+] [58% vs. 45%]. Area under ROC was 0.63 in HbeAg [-]. Higher pretreatment HBV-DNA levels have a significant relationship with better response to treatment in HbeAg positive patients of CHB. Although HBV-DNA in HbeAg negative was decreased significantly from baseline to end of follow-up, monitoring with sensitive quantitative baseline HBV-DNA measurement in these patients was not a better predictor of SR than HbeAg positive

Safety and efficacy of pegylated interferon alfa-2a for the treatment of hepatitis c in patients with major thalassemia

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection is the most common transfusion transmitted disease in poly-transfused patients worldwide. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of pegylated interferon alfa-2a [PEG-IFN A-2a] in reducing serum ALT and eradicating serum hepatitis C virus [HCV] RNA in HCV infected polytransfused thalassemic patients. A cohort of 51 HCV-RNA positive thalassemic patients were enrolled to our study and received 180 u,g PEG-IFN A-2a once-weekly for 48 weeks. The primary end point was sustained virological response [SVR]. The secondary outcome was normalization of ALT. Patient safety was assured by monthly, and if needed, weekly laboratory assessment and visits. Of 52 patients, 42 participants completed the treatment schedule. A sustained virological response [SVR] was attained in 22/51 [43%] cases. Among non-responders or relapsers to previous HCV antiviral therapy, 9/27 [33%] attained an SVR. Five patients died during treatment and 3 subjects discontinued the therapy because of adverse effects. Adverse events were generally mild, and laboratory abnormalities were rare. A course of 48-week PEG-IFN A-2a monotherapy is effective in eradicating HCV-RNA during treatment. But about one third of thalassemic patients would relapse within 6 months of treatment schedule completion, in whom combination therapy is needed