DI-[2-ethylhexyl] phthalate oxidative degradation by fenton process in synthetic and real petrochemical wastewater

Di-[2-Ethylhexyl] phthalate [DEHP] belongs to the class of phthalate esters and is used as an additive in many products including plastics, paints and inks or as a solvent in industrial formulations. The degradation of DEHP in aqueous solution using oxidative Fenton reaction [H[2]O[2]/Fe[2+] was carried out in this study. It was found that H[2]O[2] concentration, Fe[2+] concentration, and pH were the three main factors that could significantly influence the degradation rates of DEHP. The highest degradation percentage [85.6%] of DEHP was observed within 60 min at pH 3 in H[2]O[2]/Fe[2+] system. The results of our study suggested that the concentration with 90 mg/L H[2]O[2] 5 mg/L Fe[2+], and 20 mg/L DEHP in the solution at pH 3 were the optimal conditions. The optimized reaction parameters were preceded for treatment of real wastewater obtained from a petrochemical plant

Evaluation of confounder in toxoplasmosis indirect fluorescent antibody assay

The IFA test is one of the most usual methods for detecting anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, although it has not any unique standardization. It seems that the microscopic judgment of results is an important confounder in IFA test. Therefore, we conducted the present study to clarify the role of microscopic observer, and other confounders on the test. Eighty sera were collected from patients suspicious to toxoplasmosis for detection IgG anti-T. gondii by this test. Samples were examined against different series of antigens, IgG anti-human conjugates, and observes. There were no significant differences between the two series of antigens and conjugates. For the observers groups the kappa coefficient of the test results in the experts group [0.97, 0.94- 1.00] were significantly higher than the less experienced observers [0.77, 0.68-0.87]. We recommend the IFA test to be performed only in reference laboratories and by laboratory technicians that have enough experience for this test. Otherwise, we suggest the substitution of this test with other tests like ELISA for the diagnosis and epidemiological studies