[Treatment and kinetic of synthetic wastewater containing beta-naphthol by nano titanium oxide coated on activated carbon]

Many industrial effluent plants contain amounts of hard biodegradable compounds such as beta-naphthol which can be removed by conventional treatment systems. The objective of this research is to treat wastewater containing naphthalene by nano titanium oxide coated on activated carbon. Photocatalytic experiments were carried out for different concentrations of beta-naphthol using time and pH as dependent factors. Nano TiO2 coated on activated carbone in one liter batch reactor and the resultants compounds' concentration were measured in a photocatalytic reactor with UV-C of 12 Watt. The experimental results indicated that UV/ nano TiO2 coated on activated carbone removed 92% of beta-naphthol with concentrations of 100 mg/L within an overall elapsed time of three hours. beta-naphthol total removal with concenteration of 25 mg/L was observed in two hours. UV/ nano TiO2 process is very fast and effective method for removal of beta-naphthol and pH 11 was indicated as the optimum pH

[Present and desired status of student counseling in opinions of AJUMS]

Student counseling practiced by academic staff could be a hand in achieving educational goals. This study has been carried out on this regard to make a survey on the opinions of the students in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences [AJUMS]. In this cross-sectional study, the opinions of 354 students were evaluated by a 35-item questionnaire confirmed from the validity and reliability part. Collected data was analysed by SPSS.15 software, t test and ANOVA. Two third of participants was female. A number of 183 students positively ticked the item of the "rate of referring to advisor", while only 18.8% were satisfied with the quality of counseling. In general, the mean of student counseling satisfaction was 2.36 +/- 0.78. A positive attitude to student counseling process was noticed. The desired status with a mean of 3.88?0.65 demonstrated a meaningful statistical relationship with present status [p

[Investigation of amount and effective factors on trihalomethane production in potable water of Yazd]

Yazd province is located in the central desert part of Iran in which water scarcity was one of the most important problems. This has been recently solved to some extent, due to the approved channel project of water transferring from Isfahan to Yazd. Chlorination is usually used in the last stage of water treatment for disinfection in the networks, treatment plants, storages and channel stations. The possibility of carcinogen lateral composites formation is expected by tri-halo-methanes [THMs] due to the reactions occurs between the natural organic materials and free chlorine available in water. Based on the established standard by the country, the permissible limit of THMs in water is 200 mg/L. In this research, in addition to the amount of THMs and their distribution in Yazd water transferring channel and the city water network system, the important parameters and their correlations with THMs formation were discussed. In a year of sampling period, the concentrations of THMs including the four major components of chloroform, bromoform, bromo di-chloro methane and di-bromo chloro methane during all seasons were measured using gas chromatograph and analyzed. This was done for 11 stations including Zayande-rood Basin River and Isfahan water treatment plant up to Yazd Shehneh storage, stations and inline equalization tanks and also five regions of Yazd city network. According to the results, the maximum rate of THMs [51.14 mg/L] during the sampling period in summer for Yazd city network and in ancient context of Jamea Mosque district was found. In addition, the minimum concentration of THMs was 1.60 mg/L in winter for the domestic network of the city which was related to Azad Shahr district. The Average total amount of THMs during sampling periods in all stations was 12.26 mg/L. SPSS and Excel softwares were used to analyze the research data in the descriptive and inferential manner. Both statistical methods [Simple correlation coefficient, Pearson and Spearman correlation test]] with 5% significant level were considered for data analysis. The results indicated that no significant difference existed between these parameters and national and international standard scales. These rates were generally desirable and lower than standard limit which indicates acceptable operation in the treatment system and storages in the channel line of Isfahan to Yazd. Furthermore, it was obtained that there is a correlation between THMs rates and effective parameters in producing confidential values such as 95%and 99% for the residue chlorine and heat respectively. Finally the distribution and diffusion plan of THMs in transferring line and civic network of Yazd were drawn

Isolation and characterization of a novel native bacillus strain capable of degrading diesel fuel

The ability of native bacteria to utilize diesel fuel as the sole carbon and energy source was investigated in this research. Ten bacterial strains were isolated from the oil refinery field in Tehran, Iran. Two biodegradation experiments were performed in low and high [500 and 10000 ppm, respectively] concentration of diesel fuel for 15 days. Only two isolates were able to efficiently degrade the petroleum hydrocarbons in the first test and degraded 86.67% and, 80.60% of diesel fuel, respectively. The secondary experiment was performed to investigate the toxicity effect of diesel fuel at high concentration [10000 ppm]. Only one strain was capable to degrade 85.20% of diesel fuel at the same time [15 days]. Phenotype and phylogeny analysis of this strain was characterized and identified as dieseldegrading bacteria, based on gram staining, biochemical tests, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. These results indicate that this new strain was Bacillus sp. and could be considered as Bacillus Cereus with 98% 16 S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The results indicate that native strains have great potential for in situ remediation of diesel-contaminated soils in oil refinery sites

[Biochemical and pathological study of protective effect of vitamin A in azathioprine - induced hepatotoxicity in rat]

Background: azathioprine [AZA] is the most widely used immunosuppressive drug for preventing graft rejection and autoimmune disease. However, the therapeutic treatment induces several side effects such as toxicity to bone marrow, pancreases, liver and gastrointestinal tract. One of the major functions of Vitamin A is to act as a natural antioxidant by scavenging free radicals. Considering the kind of Azathioprine-induced damage in Liver tissue, we decided to study the protective effect of Vitamin A against Azathioprine-induced toxicity

Materials and Methods: forty Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups [each group contains 10 rats]. Group 1 was control group and only took normal saline. Groups 2 and 3 were administrated daily use of Vitamin A for 7 days I.M. and Group 4 was administrated with normal saline instead of Vitamin A in same condition as groups 2and3. In the last day groups 3 and 4 were administrated with single dose of AZA, 15 mg/kg [IP]. After 24 hours, we took the animals blood and tissue samples and studied them for biochemical and pathological examinations

Results: this study showed that Azathioprine-induced damage on liver in group 3 is less than that in group 4 while the function of organ in group 3 is nearly the same as control group. Also vitamin A decreases Azathioprine-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Conclusion: regarding importance of Azathioprine-induced damage, the usage rate of this drug in medicine, and the results of this study, we suggest that co-administration of Azathioprine and vitamin E decreases the toxicity of this drug

[Preventive effects of growth hormone on degeneration of rabbit ovarian follicles during cyclophosphamide induced toxicity]

Cyclophosphamide [CP], an antineoplastic drug, is also widely used in treatment of a variety of diseases such as lymphomas, leukemia, neuroblastoma, ovarian carcinoma, breast cancer and auto-immune diseases. However, its use has toxic effects on different tissues of the body, for example, it causes involution and degeneration of ovarian follicles and toxicity in the ovaries. In contrast, growth hormone [GH] improves the function of most body tissues and research has shown that it leads to the increase in the number and size of the ovarian follicles. The purpose of this study was to study the preventive effects of growth hormone during cyclophposphamide induced toxicity on the ovarian follicles. In this study, 30 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups containing 10 animals in each. Group 1 was the control group and only received placebo. Groups 2 and 3 were administrated 100 mg/kg body weight CP orally daily. Group 3 was also administered growth hormone 0/15 mg/Kg subcutaneously for 49 days [from 7 days before initiation of CP therapy to 14 days after the last administration of CP].The day after last administration of CP, all 30 rabbits were anesthetized by ether and ovariectomized and the number of different types of developing follicles, regressive follicles and degenerations in ovarian tissue was studied. Degeneration of follicles was observed in both groups 2 and 3, but the number of degenerated follicles in group two was more than that in group 3 which had received GH. The number of degenerated areas in ovarian tissue in group 2 was also higher than that in the other two groups. The difference between body weight and the weight of the ovaries in groups 1 and 3 was not significant, but there was a significant decrease in body weight and ovarian These results suggest that co-administration of GH can improve the function of ovary and preserve the ovary and follicles from CP induced toxicity

[Prevalence of giardiasis in daycare children at rafsanjan nurseries in 2003]

Giardia Lambelia is a unicellur parasite, and has been recognized to be the most common intestinal pathogen worldwide specially in the developing countries. The Giardia agent has been implicated as a common cause of diarrhea in children of daycare centers. Therefore, regular and continuous investigation of this infection is necessary to control and contain the epidemic of this disease particularly at the children nurseries. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of giardiasis at Rafsanjan's nurseries in 2003. This cross sectional study was accomplished on 252 children who were selected randomly with the mean age of 5.33 +/- 0.96. All relevant variables including age, sex, type of nursery, parent's job and education, and past history of parasitic infectious disease were gathered from all the participants. Three stool samples were collected from chidren on an every other day basis. The samples were examined using direct and formalin-ether methods .The positive reports were then statistically analyzed. Of all 252 participants, at public nurseias 140 girls [55.56%] and 112 boys [44.44%], the stool exams of 44 children [17.5%] were positive for giardiasis. Twenty seven of the infected children were male. The percentage of giardiasis in children whose mothers were housewife with low education was 22.4% [19 cases]. This value among children with poor personal hygiene and with a history of parasitic infectious diseases was 44.4%, and 69.2% respectively. based on our findings, giardiasis still must be regarded as a hygienic problem especially in public nurseries and it can be prevented by continuous public education, and regular training of health workers focusing on improvement of personal hygiene

Chemical denitrification of nitrate from groundwater via sulfamic acid and zinc metal

Nitrate contamination in drinking water can cause methemoglobinemia, which is especially detrimental to infants and nursing mothers. Batch experiments in two units for catalytic reduction of nitrate from groundwater with Zn catalyst and sulfamic acid were conducted. The system includes chemical denitriphication [ChemDen reactor] and electrolytic recovery reactoers. A batch study was conducted to optimize parameters like pH, sulfamic acid concentration, Zn concentration, temperature and reaction time governing the ChemDen process. The concentrations of remained nitrate and Zn were measured at the end of the reactions. Results showed that near to 100% of nitrate decreased and the quantity of remained nitrate was <1 mg/L. pH and agitation had great effect on denitrification, and the nitrate removal rate changed rapidly when pH value ranged between 3-4. Two water quality parameters which limit this process were sulfate and chloride ions concentrations in nitrate contaminated water

[ prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV in narcotic addicted persons referred to the out patient clinic of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2003]

Narcotic addiction as a serious health problem in communities has economical and social effects as well as health and hygienic complications. Viral infection such as B and C hepatitis, and HIV may be transmitted by addicted persons. Identification and education of these patients is very important and this survey was carried out for determination of the prevalence of these infections in addicted persons. This descriptive study was conducted on 180 self referred addicted persons who were selected through convenience non-probably sampling out patient clinic in Rafsanjan. After taking consent of patients, serum samples were checked for HIV, B and C hepatitis by ELISA and Western blot tests. For data analysis, chi square and fisher tests were used. The results of this study suggest that the mean of subject's age was 29.3 +/- 5.3 years [%95.5 male and 4.5%female],%17.21 IV drug abusers. The rate of Viral infection was%11.7 [21 subjects] including 11 persons who were IV drug abusers this deference was statistically significant [p<0.0001], HIV test was positive in 3 persons [%1/66] and all of them were IV drug abusers. HCV in 13 persons was positive that 5 persons were IV drug abusers. HBV markers were detected in 5 persons [2.7%] including 3 IV drug abusers. The findings of this study revealed that there was a high rate of viral infection in addicted persons especially in IV drug abusers. This suggests the need for more attention and education for preventing the occurrence of these problems

Detoxification of cyanide in gold processing watewater by hydrogen peroxide

Utilizing cyanide compounds in mining and chemical industry is one of the most important environmental issues due to the acute toxic properties of many cyanide compounds to humans and aquatic life. Cyanide tends to react readily with most other chemical elements, producing a wide variety of toxic, cyanide related compounds. This research was aimed at investigating a feasible and economical technique for the detoxification of cyanide from the tailing effluent of Muteh gold mine in Isfahan, Iran. In this research cyanide detoxification was achieved through the oxidation of cyanide by hydrogen peroxide using various hydrogen peroxide solutions at pH levels between 7-13 and temperatures between 12-65 °C using copper sulfate as a catalyst. The optimum pH and dose of hydrogen peroxide for complete cyanide removal in the presence of 30 mg/L copper sulfate as a catalyst were determined as 9.7 and 9.98 giL, respectively. At high temperatures > 35°C, cyanide was completely removed perfectly at constant pH = 9.7 which was mainly due to cyanide evaporation in the form of HCN

[Serum Lipid levels in children of parents with premature coronary artery disease]

The lipid factor is currently considered o be the main agent responsible for cardiovascular risk in young individuals. Several epidemiological studies have shown that atherosclerosis begins in childhood. Therefore consensus was obtained that the earlier the control begins, the better results are achieved. There are many controversies around early identification of hyperlipidemia in children. The aim of this cross-sectional study was the evaluation of serum Lipid levels in children of parents with premature coronary artery disease [CAD]. For this purpose, 76 children between 2-10 years old [38 children belonged to parents with premature CAD and 38 age and sex-matched controls belonged to healthy parents] were studied. The height, weight and body mass index were similar in both groups. Serum cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL[C] and LDL[C] levels after 10 hours fasting were measured twice at 1-week interval. Data were analyzed with EPI 6 and [P<0.05] was considered as significant. Mean cholesterol and LDL[C] were respectively 167 +/- 20 and 135 +/- 30 mg/dl in the case group and 101+20 and 121+20 mg/dl in the control group that shows statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. There were no differences between the 2 groups in triglyceride and HDL[C] levels and only 6 children in the case group had LDL[C] level greater than 160 mg/dl, while there was no case with LDL[C] level of greater than 160 mg/dl in the control group. According to the results total cholesterol and LDL[C] levels were higher in children of parents with premature CAD, and this necessitates the evaluation of serum lipid levels in children of parents with premature CAD

[Serum lipid levels in children of parents with premature coronary artery disease]

The lipid factor is currently considered to be the main agent responsible for cardiovascular risk in young individuals. Several epidemiological studies have shown that atherosclerosis begins in childhood. Therefore consensus was obtained that the earlier the control begins,the better results are achieved. There are many controversies around early identification of hyperlipidemia in children. The aim of this cross-sectional study was the evaluation of serum lipid levels in children of parents with premature coronary artery disease [CAD]. For this purpose, 76 children between 2-10 years old [38 children belonged to parents with premature CAD and 38 age and sex-matched controls belonged to healthy parents] were studied. The height, weight and body mass index were similar in both groups. Serum cholesterol,triglyceride, HDLc and LDLc levels after 10 hours fasting were measured twice at one-week interval. Data were analysed with Epi 6 and p < 0.05 was considered as significant. Mean cholestrol and LDLc were respectively 167 +/- 20 and 135 +/- 30 mg/dl in the case group and 101+20 and121+20 mg/dl in the control group that shows statistically significant difference between the two groups. There were no differences between the two groups in triglyceride and HDLc levels and only six children in the case group had LDLc level greater than 160 mg/dl,while there was no case with LDLc level of greater than 160mg/dl in the control group. According to the results total cholestol and LDLc levels were higher in children of parents with premature CAD, and this necessitates the evaluation of serum lipid levels in children of parents with premature CAD

Toxicological and inhibitory effect of Piroxicam on matrix Metalloproteinase expression in comparison with Diclofenac and Dexamethasone

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory [NSAIDs] are used widely for musculoskeletal and other inflammatory conditions. In this study, the efficacy and toxic effects of Piroxicam was compared with Diclofenac and Dexamethasone in an in vitro fibrosarcoma cell culture [Wehi 964] model using cytotoxicity analysis and zymography assay. The concentration all the drugs ranged between 10 to 200 micro g/ml per ml of cell culture [20/000/well] and incubated overnight. The results showed that these drugs produced inhibitory effects on the expression of matrix Metalloproteinase [MMPs], in which Diclofenac was the most cytotoxic. The LD50 for Diclofenac was approximately 20 micro M compared to 80 micro M for Piroxicam and Dexamethasone, which had LD50 of 80 micro M. In addition, Diclofenac produced caused greater inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and cell death at higher concentration. These effects were found to be correlated with its inhibitory effect on MMPs expression. The above findings indicated that Piroxicam excess an inhibitory effect on expression of MMPs. Thus, this drug can be used in inflammatory conditions