Concentrations of mercury, lead, chromium, cadmium, arsenic and aluminum in irrigation water wells and wastewaters used for agriculture in Mashhad, northeastern Iran

Contamination of water by toxic chemicals has become commonly recognized as an environmental concern. Based on our clinical observation in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, many people might be at risk of exposure to high concentrations of toxic heavy metals in water. Because wastewater effluents as well as water wells have been commonly used for irrigation over the past decades, there has been some concern on the toxic metal exposure of crops and vegetables irrigated with the contaminated water. To measure the concentrations of mercury, lead, chromium, cadmium, arsenic and aluminium in irrigation water wells and wastewaters used for agriculture in Mashhad, northeastern Iran. 36 samples were taken from irrigation water wells and a wastewater refinery in North of Mashhad at four times-May 2008, March 2009, and June and July 2010. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure the concentration of toxic metals. Graphite furnace was used for the measurement of lead, chromium, cadmium and aluminum. Mercury and arsenic concentrations were measured by mercury/hydride system. Chromium, cadmium, lead and arsenic concentrations in the samples were within the standard range. The mean +/- SD concentration of mercury in irrigation wells [1.02 +/- 0.40 micro g/L] exceeded the FAO maximum permissible levels. The aluminum concentration in irrigation water varied significantly from month to month [p=0.03]. All wastewater samples contained high mercury concentrations [6.64 +/- 2.53 micro g/L]. For high mercury and aluminum concentrations, the water sources studied should not be used for agricultural use. Regular monitoring of the level of heavy metals in water and employing the necessary environmental interventions in this area are strongly recommended

[Study on effects of processing with vinegar and saline on toxicity and anti-diabetic property of Citrullus colocynthis [L.] schard. fruit extract in rats]

The fruits of Citrullus colocynthis are used for treatment of diabetes. C. colocynthis has controlled blood glucose levels in diabetic animals and type 2 diabetic patients. C. colocynthis is toxic at high doses so it is soaked in vinegar or saline for a while in order to reduce its toxicity. The effects of processing with vinegar and saline on the toxicity and anti-diabetic property of C. colocynthis in rats were studied. Determination of LD[50] [median lethal dose]: The non-processed and saline and vinegar processed hydro-alcoholic extracts of C. colocynthis were administered via gavage to groups of 10 healthy male and female Wistar rats at various doses once and the number of dead animals in each group within 72 hours was determined. Study on anti-diabetic effect: Male Wistar rats were made diabetic with the intra-peritoneal injection of 125 mg/kg alloxan. Each extract was administered via gavage to a group of 10 diabetic male Wistar rats at the daily dose of 20 mg/kg for 1 month and finally, the tail venous blood glucose levels after fasting for 8 hours were determined with the glucose oxidase method. The LD[50]s of the non-processed and saline and vinegar processed extracts were 200 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg respectively. The three extracts reduced the blood glucose levels significantly compared with control [p <0.05]. Processing with saline or vinegar can reduce the toxicity of C. colocynthis with maintenance of its anti-diabetic effect

Effect of fenton process [H[2]O[2] / Fe[2+]] on removal of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate using central composite

This study investigates the degradation of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate [LAS] in aqueous solution using Fenton's process in a batch reactor [at pH = 3 and 25 Degree C]. Experiments were carried out to survey the effects of the amounts of ferrous sulfate [FeSO[4].7H[2]O] and hydrogen peroxide [H[2]O[2]] on the LAS and COD removal. Central composite design and response surface methods were used to optimize the Fenton oxidation process through examination of three independent operating variables namely oxidant dose [H[2]O[2]], catalyst dose [Fe[+2]] and reaction time., hydrogen peroxide dose ranging from 150 to 750 mg /L and Fe[+2] concentration in the range of 10 -130 mg /L were selected to be examined at different reaction times between 20 and 80 minutes. Models were developed and results shows that the oxidation capacities of H[2]O[2] /Fe[+2] were highly dependent on the concentration of H[2]O[2] and Fe[+2]. Satisfactory decay rates of LAS to lock up biodegradable concentration level were obtained, and in the case for oxidation of 200 mg /L LAS, the optimum values were achieved at 600 and 130 mg/L for H[2]O[2] and Fe[+2], respectively

[Study of nitrate removal from water resources using magnesium powder]

Nowadays nitrate concentrations in surface water and especially in groundwater have increased in many locations in the world. Since nitrates cause many health and environmental concerns, increased nitrate concentrations in groundwater have led to rendered aquifers unusable as water sources. So, as the water demand is still increasing the throughout the world, decreasing the nitrate concentration in drinking water is imperative. Magnesium powder has been determined to be potentially useful for the removal of nitrate in the water environment. This research is aimed at subjecting the kinetics of nitrate chemical reduction by Mg[0] to an analysis of some factors affecting the chemical denitrification. Nitrate concentrations determined in 220 nm using a spectrophotometer. To determine the performance of nitrate removal by Mg[0] powder, double distilled water was used for preparation of reagents and simulation of contaminated water with nitrate.All experiments were triplicate and the averaged results were reported. Kinetics analysis from batch studies revealed that the denitrification reaction with Mg[0] powder appeared to be a first-order with respect to substrate and the observed reaction rate constant [k[obs]]. The effects of mixing intensity on the denitrification rate suggest that the denitrification appears to be coupled with oxidative dissolution of magnesium through a largely mass transportlimited surface reaction. Also in the denitrification by Mg[0] determined that Mg[0] dose related with kobs[R[2]>0/99]S In this research was determined that denitrification effectively by Mg[0] powder can achieved in a wide range of concentrations under atmospheric conditions and without pH controlling within short reaction time. Denitrification rate was related to some parameters such as contact time, Mg[0] dosage, mixing rate and initial nitrate concentration

[ study on biodegradability enhancement of landfill leachate by fenton oxidation]

Leachate is one of the landfill products and also a wastewater bearing the most advers effects on the environment. Biological methods are usually employed for treatment of young leachate [1-2 years] wich is of high concentration of organic compounds with low molecular weight. However these methods are not approprate for mature leachate [5-10years] due to having high rate of compounds with molecular weight and the presence of materials resistant to biodegradation and toxic compounds. Advanced oxidation process such as Fenton reagent used in treatment or biodegrability improvement of strong wastewater. In the present study the degrability improvement of mature leachate through oxidation fenton process in bench scale and in batch reactor has been investigated. The samples have been taken from Ahwaz landfill and factors such as initial COD and BOD, pH, BOD5/COD were studies as degradability, the amount of Hydrogen Peroxide, Fe[II], optimal reaction time and optimal pH. The highest amount of COD removal was observed in PH=3-3.5 and 90 minutes of reaction time. H2O2=29700mg/land Fe2+=16500 mg/l in [Fe2+]/[H2O2]=1/14.8 molarity ratio were obtained as optimal amounts BOD5/COD was equal to 0.38. This study indicates that Fenton oxidation enhances the biodegradability of leachate

[Assessment and diagnosis instruments of anxiety disorders among child and adolescents]

Background: The propose of present article is introducing methods and instrument of assessment and diagnosis of anxiety disorders in child and adolescents

Materials and Methods: This research is descriptive- Liberian study. To collecting data, all of available psychological and psychiatric references and literature was studied and those results summarized

Results: Structured interviews facilitate clear and correct diagnosis by information quantifying and reducing validity problems of non-structured interviews. Self- report instruments administrate easily and fast, and provide information about nature and severity of anxiety symptoms. These instruments are complement of clinical interviews and aren't used as major diagnosis instrument. Behavioral instrument as a substitution to structured interviews and self- report instruments can provide proper information about problems of young child. Because this group of patients cannot easily express her/ his fears and anxieties

Conclusion: Application of these instrument to research and therapeutic proposes aren't sufficient and using a set of its recommended. Although application of introduced instruments to providing precision diagnosis and assessment of therapy outcomes can be helpful

Depression in cancer surgery

Depression is common in today world and this article seeks to address issues related to depression in cancer surgery. Surgical situations and their effects on patients, as well as depression in the family and the surgeon are highlighted

Evaluation of preoperative elevation of serum C-Reactive protein as an indicator for prognosis in Colorectal Cancer

The C-reactive protein [CRP] is a product synthesized in hepatocytes and has been reported to be up-regulated by such proinflammatory cytokines as interleukin-1 [IL-1], interleukin-6 [IL-6], and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]. The significance of a preoperative serum elevation in CRP as a predictive indicator for the malignant potential and prognosis in colorectal cancer has not been elucidated. Forty consecutive patients with colorectal cancer, whose local lesions were resected in our department, plus forty volunteer healthy persons, were selected. Any patient with inflammatory diseases such as infection or collagen disease was excluded from the current study. Then preoperative serum CRP level were measured, and also from the control group. The relationships between the serum elevation of CRP and both the clinicopathologic factors and prognosis of the patients was investigated. The rate of patients with elevated serum CRP level was significantly higher in colorectal cancer patients in comparison with the control group [55% versus 2.5%]. Furthermore the incidence of liver metastasis, peritoneal carcinomatosis, histopathologic lymph nodes metastasis, and tumor invasion in colorectal cancer patients with a preoperatively elevated serum CRP level were significantly more frequent than in those with a negative serum CRP level. The survival rates of colorectal cancer patients without a preoperative elevation of serum CRP proved to be significantly more favourable than what in colorectal cancer patients with such an elevation [94.4% versus 59.1%; P < 0.001]. A preoperative serum elevation of CRP was thus found to be an indicator of malignant potential of the tumor as well as a predictor for the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer

[ comparison between the results of fissurectomy and lateral internal sphincterotomy in the management of chronic anal fissure]

Although lateral internal sphincterotomy is an effective treatment of chronic fissure in ano, it may lead to serious complications, of these, incontinence to flatus and fecal soiling are the most distressing. To avoid such complications, we proposed fissurectomy as an alternative surgical treatment. Totally, 62 consecutive patients through the sequential sampling were divided into two groups. 30 patients underwent fissurectomy [F] and 32 underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy [LIS]. After a median follow-up of 22 months, we compared the results of the two procedures. In addition to frequent visits on a predetermined basis, a telephone inquiry into fissure recurrence and continence status was made. All patients in either group were pain free and without bleeding within one week. In both groups urinary retention was noted in one patient. Incontinence to flatus was in the LIS group in two [6.2%] patients but no incontinence was noted in the F group. There was one patient [3.1%] with fissure recurrence in the LIS group but no one in the F group. No patient in either group afflicted with anal stenosis or perianal infections. All wounds healed within 8 weeks. 29 patients [96.6%] in the F group and 28[87.5%] in the LIS group reported satisfactory results with their procedure. In the surgical treatment of chronic anal fissure not responding to conservative management, fissurectomy may be a sphincter-sparing alternative and perhaps preferable surgical technique with less total complications

Psychological profile of Iranian patients with low-back pain

A hospital case - control study in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran, compared the features of 200 patients with low - back pain with 350 matched controls. The control group psychological scored lower than patients in all dimensions of the Symptom Checklist - 90 checklist. Female patients were more psychologically affected by low - back pain than males. In both groups, grudge, general complaints, anxiety, depression, obsessive - compulsive behaviours, somatization and phobia varied with level of education. Patients' levels of depression and anxiety were related to occupational background. Longer duration of illness was accompanied by higher levels of anxiety, depression, obsessive - compulsive behaviours and somatization

Seroepidemiology of Newcastle disease in domestic village chickens of plain areas of Isfahan province, central Iran

Newcastle disease is one of the most important diseases of poultry. It usually causes a great loss in poultry industry and domestic village chickens. Since domestic chickens in villages are free ranging for food, the chance of their contact with wild birds that may act as reservoirs is high. To determine the role of domestic chickens in the epizootiology of Newcastle disease virus in villages of Isfahan province, 400 serum samples from chickens with no history of vaccination from four regions [Khomeinishahr, Zarinshahr, Falavarjan and Mobarekeh] were collected in summers of [1998] and [1999]. Haemagglutination inhibition [HI] test was used for titration of antibodies against Newcastle disease virus. Chi-square and binomial tests were used for statistical analyses. 69.5 and 68.5% of the sera were positive in the two consecutive seasons [P>0.05]. About 25% of 3-4 month- and 1-2-year-old chickens were negative for HI antibodies and thus were sensitive to the disease in each season. Significant correlation was observed between the HI antibody liters and the age of the chickens [P<0.01]. A specific pattern of seroconversion was observed which was independent to the prevalence of the disease in industrial poultry flocks in each region and all regions studied. It was concluded that about 35% of the domestic village chickens are protected against virulent strains of Newcastle disease in summer. For protection of the remaining chickens, routine vaccination, especially in spring and summer is suggested