[Comparing the effect of electrochemical process and Alum coagulation in removing turbidity and coliform bacteria from the synthetic wastewater]

Nowadays, 1.1 billion people in the world do not have access to a safe and adequate water supply. So, seeking more efficient water treatment methods are a critical need. This study designed to compare the effects of the electrochemical process [EP] and Alum coagulation on turbidity and coliform bacteria removal from the synthetic wastewater [SW]. This experimental study was conducted on five SW samples in a batch system. First, the optimum Alum dosage and pH were determined by Jar-test. Thereafter, samples were subjected to coagulation and 10 samples were taken before and after the process. The EP was accomplished on each five SW samples. In each run, a 600 mA DC was applied on 1700 ml of SW using aluminum electrodes for 1 hour and one sample was taken every 10 minutes [35 samples]. The turbidity and most probably numbers of total coliforms were confirmed and the fecal coliforms as well as the heterotrophic plate count [HPC] were determined for all samples according to the standard methods book instructions [21st edition]. The optimum Alum dosage and pH range for coagulation were 16mg/L and 7 pH units, respectively. Using coagulation, the removal efficiencies for the total, confirmed and fecal coliforms were 80.57%, 48.89%, and 65.59%, respectively. Moreover, the removal efficiencies for HPC and turbidity were 89.92% and 91.11%, respectively. The EP not only removed 100% of the coliforms, but also reduced both HPC and turbidity to 91.05% and 96.31%, respectively. The EP is more effective than Alum coagulation in the removal of turbidity and bacteriological indicators from the synthetic wastewater

[Antibacterial activity of essential oils from Artemisia and Cumin plants against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholera]

The emergence of resistance among bacteria makes it necessary to continuously quest for new antimicrobial agents. The present study was performed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of essential oils from Artemisia and Cumin plants. This was an experimental study carried out at the School of Medicine of Tarbiat Modares University [Tehran, Iran] in 2005. Essential oils of Cuminum cyminum, Bunium persicum seeds and aerial parts of Artemisia turcomanica were prepared by hydrodistillation method. Essential oils of A. khorassanica, A. ciniformis, and A. kopetdaghensis were previously obtained and described. The activities of essential oils were evaluated against a clinical isolate of Vibrio cholerae [isolated during the recent outbreak of cholera in Iran], Escherichia coli ATCC25922, a clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 using disc diffusion assay and broth microdilution method for determination of MIC. The components of oils were identified by Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Essential oils showed an acceptable level of antibacterial activities. A. khorassanica and A. turcomanica oils demonstrated the highest activity [inhibition zone: 60 mm] followed by A. ciniformis, A. kopetdaghensis, C. cyminum, and B. persicum, respectively. The major constituent in A. turcomanica oil was camphor and that of Cuminum cyminum and Bunium persicum oils was cuminaldehyde. The results of the present study suggested the effects of essential oils against the tested bacteria in vitro, may contribute to the in vivo efficacy of these oils

[Study of sport trauma in men's sport leagues of Kashan during 2008-9]

Athletes participating in sport competitions are faced with the risk of trauma. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of trauma injuries in men's sport leagues of Kashan during 2008-9. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, all injuries during sport league competitions were recorded by attending the sport arenas during 2008-9. A total of 160 trauma cases were recorded during 146 events. The highest number of trauma was observed in handball and taekwondo competitions with 45 [25.6%] and 35 [21.9%] cases, respectively. Athletes involved in sport leagues require appropriate training and adequate protection through the use of protective devices to avoid injuries

[Evaluation and comparison of antibacterial effects of alcoholic extracts of zataria multiflora boiss leaves, flowers and root on methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus]

Due to increasing drug resistance among pathogenic bacteria toward current and new generation antibiotics, researchers have been investigating to find herbal antimicrobial agents as alternative medicines. In this study, the inhibitory effects of alcoholic extract of Zataria multiflora Boiss leaves, flowers and root on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated and compared. 50 grams of dried thyme leaves, flowers and root were added to 250 ml hydroethanol separately, and were then distilled. The antibacterial properties of the extracts were assessed by Broth Dilution Method and after determining dried weights of the extracts per ml, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC] and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration [MBC] of them were obtained. Finally, by using Thin Layer Chromatography [TLC], effective compounds of the extracts were detected. Thyme leaves alcoholic extract at 3/031 mg/ml and 6/062 mg/ml concentration, flowers alcoholic extract at 5/687 mg/ml and 11/375 mg/ml concentration and root alcoholic extract at 5/437 mg/ml and 10/875 mg/ml concentration, in order, were able to inhibit and kill all the strains and no difference were observed between them. Analysis of the chromatograms showed that thymol and carvacrol are the main compounds of this herb. However clinical application of herbal extracts and oils sounds valuable because of their less side effects in comparison with current drugs, in order to clinically use thyme alcoholic extracts, further investigations must be done in clarifying the mechanism of action of its effective compounds on microbial agents

Simple and rapid gas-chromatographic method for quantitation of total and free valproic acid in human serum

Valproic acid [VPA] is one of the mostly used antiepileptic drugs that may have some side effects so, it is highly recommended to evaluate its serum concentrations. The aim of this study was to develop a simple, fast and economic method using gas-chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector [GC/FID]nd VPA analysis. To do this, 200 microl of serum was mixed with an aliquot of caproic acid [200 microl, methanolic solution] as internal standard and extracted by stepwise addition of hydrochloric acid and chloroform with slight agitation between each step. After centrifugation, 1.0 fil of the bottom layer was injected into a wide-bore nonpolar capillary column. Injectable samples for analysis of unbonded VPA were prepared by ultra filtration followed by solid phase extraction [SPE]. Caproic acid and VPA were eluted after 1.5 min and 3.0 min, respectively [total GC run time about 3.2 minutes]. This GC/FID method was linear over a range of 2.5-6400 microg/ml with the mean recovery of 92%. The intra- and inter-assay precision in the range of 25-100 microg/ml was 1.50-, 2.95, and 2.35-3.22%, respectively. The simplicity of sample preparation with no derivatization, short run-time and high sensitivity sufficient to detect low concentrations of the drug makes this method suitable for research as well as routine use

[ review on biological effect of Cleome L. and identification the compositions of Cleome coluteoides essential Oil]

Cleome belongs to Capparidaceae family which are annual or perenial forbs and or shrubs, often with bottomnal coverage. Research in other parts of world has determined that some species of this plant such as C.drosiflolia, C.hirta, C.gynandropsis, C.chrysantha and C.gunandra and several other species have had antibacterial effects and or native people use some of these species as traditianal drugs. Considering that different species of Cleome have wild separation in Iran and little research have been done about them. Aerial parts of Cleome coluteoides was collected from North East of Tehran [Khojir National Park], in June 2002 and was identified by Dr.Mozafarian. A voucher specimen has been deposited at the Herbarium of Research Institute of Forests and Ranglans [TARI], Tehran, Iran. Air-dried aerial parts at the plants were ground and subjected to hydrodistillation for 2h using a Clevenger-type apparatuse to give a yellew oil in [0.6% w/w] yield. Also some of the C. coluteoides was extracted with nonpolar solvent [n-hexan] and then the solvent was evaporated. The essential oil obtained from two methods were ananlysed through combination of GC [retention-indices] and GC/MS. The major components in essential oils of C. coluteoides In hydrodistillation method: Carvacrol [46.124%], Phethalic acid [10.682%] Heneicosane [5.382%] Solvent extraction method: Xylene [29.923%], Dodecane [14.435%] Essential oil obtained from extraction with water, has shown 46mm inhibitory effect on Bacilus cerius and 18mm effect on Staphilocucus ureus

Serum B-hCG concentration changes following intramuscular HCG administration

In circumstances such as in vitro fertilization [IVF] or in patients with luteal phase defect, one needs to ensure the establishment of pregnancy as soon as possible. At the same time, a question arises: How can a physician make sure that the Beta-hCG is of an endogenous source and not the residue of the prescribed drugs [hCG]? In this article we have studied the elimination time of IM injection of 5000 IU hCG in 11 normal, and IM injection of 5000 and 10,000 IU hCG in 11 Rokitansky patients. The time of complete elimination of Beta-hCG from the circulation in 10 normal women and 5 Rokitansky patients receiving 5000 IU of hCG were 7-11, and 7-8 days respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between these two groups. Comparing the two groups of Rokitansky patients receiving 5,000 and 10,000 IU of hCG, the elimination time were dose-dependent, and were significantly different from each other [P<0.01]. We conclude that when the serum level of Beta-hCG is higher than 5m lU/mi after 11 and 14 days with 5,000 and 10,000 IU of hCG injection, it could be accepted as an implanted pregnancy