comparative study on arsenic [III] removal from aqueous solution using nano and micro sized zerovalent iron

The present study was conducted for Arsenic [III] removal, one of the most poisonous groundwater pollutants, by synthetic nano and micro size zerovalent iron [n-mZVI]. Batch experiments were performed to investigate the influence of As [III], nZVI and mZVI concentration, pH of solution and reaction time on the efficiency of As [III] removal by Fe[o] particles. Nano ZVI was synthesized by reduction of ferric chloride by sodium borohydrid. Scanning Electron microscope and X-Ray diffraction were used to determine particle size and characterization of produced nanoparticles. Results showed up to 99.9% removal efficiency for arsenic [III] that was obtained by nZVI dosage of 1 g/L at equal time of 10 min and pH=7. The maximum removal efficiency by mZVI obtained in initial arsenic concentration of 1 mg/L and mZVI dosage of 10 g/L after 120 min. and pH=7. It could be concluded that the removal efficiency was enhanced with increasing n-mZVI dosage and reaction time, but decreased with increasing of arsenic concentration and pH for both nano and micro sized ZVI. Nano ZVI presented an outstanding ability to remove As [III] due to not only a high surface area and low particle size but also to high inherent activity

[Prevalance of infraorbital ethmoid [Haller's] air cell on CT image in patients over 6 years of age]

Infraorbital ethmoid air cells are extensions of anterior ethmoid sinus into the floor of the orbit and superior aspect of the maxillary sinus. Such anatomical variations may result sinusitis, mucocele, retention cyst and headache. CT scan is commonly used for imaging infraorbital ethmoid cells. The aim of present study was: To determine the prevalence of infraorbital ethmoid cells on CT Image in patients over 6 years of age. In this descriptive analytic study, 190 CT Cronal Images [91 women and 99 men] were examined for infraorbital ethmoid cells and their characteristics Other data such as age, sex, involved side, history or symptom of sinusitis, and sinus disorder were recordedusing a questionnaire Data analysis were done in spss statistical softwere by chi-squre test. Prevalance of infraorbital ethmoid [haller's] cells on CT Image in patients older than 6 years were 11. 6% [12.1% for men and 11% for women]. There was no statistically significant difference between men and women. The most frequency related to patient who were between 41-50 years old [24.1%] and the least frequent age was in patient under 20 years [0%]. Unilateral involvements [9.5%] were more than bilateral form [2.1%] and there was statistically significant difference between right and left sides. two patients [9.1%] with haller cells were multilocular, and 20 patients [90.9%] with haller cells were unilocularview. There was a satistically significant difference in haller's cell frequency between different shapes. ten patients [45.5%] with haller cells had history or symptoms of sinusitis and 3 patients [13.6%] with haller cells had retention cyst in CT Image. sixteen Patients [72.7%] with haller cells had narrowing of Infandibuloum on CT Images. According to the result of this study and the prevalence of infraorbital ethmoid cells on CT Image, Identification of these cells can help the dental professional, to diagnoses orofacial pain with origin of sinus

[ case report of incomplete capgras syndrome: a rare variant of the syndrome]

Capgras syndrome is one of the misidentification syndromes. In this phenomenon the patient has a delusional belief that familiar persons have been replaced by imposters. We report a middle aged schizophrenic female who believed that the lower half of her body has been replaced by that of another person, known as prostitute by the patient. She also reported hallucination of sexual intercourse. Rare variants of Capgras syndromes have been reported so far, but there is no report of delusion of half of body replacement. The mentioned case can be considered as incomplete Capgras syndrome that is another variant of this syndrome

[Outcomes of goniotomy in primary congenital glaucoma]

To report the outcomes of goniotomy in young children with primary congenital glaucoma. This retrospective study included 26 eyes of 19 patients with primary congenital glaucoma who underwent goniotomy as the initial procedure. All patients were aged less than 3 years and had no history of previous ocular surgery. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure [IOP], cup/disc [C/D] ratio, corneal diameter, success rate and complications. Surgical success was defined as IOP less than 20 mmHg [with or without medications] without progression of disc cupping or increase in corneal diameter. Mean age at the time of diagnosis was 10.5 +/- 12.2 [range 0-36, median 7.5] months. Mean follow-up period was 19.3 +/- 18.3 [range 2-62, median 12] months. Preoperatively, 20 eyes [76.9%] had corneal edema. Mean corneal diameter was 13.60 +/- 0.99 mm [range 12-16 mm] preoperatively which reached 13.98 +/- 1.08 mm [range 12-16 mm] at last follow-up [P=0.174]. Mean IOP was 27.74 +/- 6.07 [range 17-44] mmHg pre-operatively which decreased to 24.44 +/- 7.88 [range 11-40] mmHg at final follow-up [P=0.048]. Surgical success after the first goniotomy was 34.6%. The age of onset, level of IOP, C/D ratio, corneal clarity and corneal diameter did not significantly affect the surgical outcome. There was small hyphema in all patients postoperatively, which resolved rapidly in all except one who required surgical evacuation. Goniotomy is a safe and relatively effective procedure in young children with primary congenital glaucoma, but the success rate was low in our study; which can be attributed to the greater severity of the disease

[Evaluation of central depth of dental demineralization on digital subtraction radiography [invitro]]

Introduction: The majority of carious lesions are not well-defined radiolucencies. Approximately 40% demineralization is required for radiographic detection of a lesion. The actual depth of penetration of carious lesion is deeper than may be detected radio graphically. However, digital subtraction images permit to detect 1-5% decrease of mineral mass per unit volume

Objective: The aim of this study was to detect central depth of dental demineralization on digital subtraction radiography

Materials and Methods: This study was preformed on 15 extracted human teeth. In each tooth, one approximal enamel demineralization defect was induced using an acidified system [PH=4.8]. Direct digital radiography were obtained under standardized condition over a period of 42 days. The images of the 7[th], 14[th], 21[st], 28[th], 35[th] and 42nd days were subtracted from the baseline radiograph [before creation of the lesion]. Because all of images showed moderate proximal demineralization on 42[nd] days, all teeth sectioned for histological study. Then, the mean standard deviation of the extent demineralization was obtained with the radiographic and histological measurements. The test served as the statistical sampling unit for testing difference between the measurements

Results: After 42 days, the mean +/- SD of the extent of demineralization was underestimated by radiographic assessment [0.48 +/- 0.25 mm than histometric measurement 0.54 +/- 0.18 mm]. However this difference wasn't significant [P=0.82]

Conclusion: For monitoring the progression of carries clinically, central depth seems to be the proper parameter

Serum lipoprotein [LP[a]] levels in patients with diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance: an evaluation and comparison

Lipoprotein [a] [Lp[a]] is known as an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis and changes in serum level of this molecule and other lipoproteins have been noticed in diabetic patients because the most important cause of death in these patients is related to their cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, patients with IGT [Impaired Glucose Tolerance] are more at risk of cardiovascular disease than the normal population. The main purpose of this study is to comparie Lp[a] serum levels between diabetic patients, patients with IGT and normal controls without any glucose metabolism disturbance. In this study, 180 patients [112 females, average age of 51 +/- 11 years and 68 males, average age of 54 +/- 14 years] were selected and placed in three separate age and sex matched groups [60 patients in each group] as Diabetic, IGT and Control group. After taking clinical history and determining body measurements, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C and Lp[a] were measured in fasting blood samples. Lp[a] serum levels were not significantly different between the three groups. [DM:25.4 +/- 20.9, IGT: 24 +/- 21.4, Control: 24.6 +/- 17.9 mg/dL]. An increase in serum triglyceride was found in the diabetic patients compared with the controls. [DM: 210.6 +/- 91.5, control: 159 +/- 71.9 mg/dL p = 0.04]. HDL-C levels showed no significant difference between groups. In addition, HDL-C levels of the all three groups were lower than the recommended range of Coronary Artery Disease prevention. [average range of the three groups: 37.4 +/- 8.7 mg/dL] Total Cholesterol and LDL-C serum levels were higher in diabetic patients compared with the controls. [DM: 222.3 +/- 35.4 vs Control group: 191.7 +/- 46.5 mg/dL p < 0.007 and DM: 141.2 +/- 32.4 vs Control: 119.0 +/- 36.6 mg/dL p < 0.03]. In the IGT group, serum lipids levels were between the levels of the diabetic and control groups none of these differences were significant. This study shows that Lp[a] serum levels do not change in Diabetes Mellitus and IGT

[ case report of blood sucking behavior in a patient with borderline personality disorder]

Self-mutilation is defined as intentional damaging of the body without intention to die. Patients with borderline personality disorder frequently mutilate themselves by means of cutting, burning and abrading their skin. In this case report, a patient with borderline personality disorder is described who has cut his skin and suck his blood Several times. He had also the history of killing pigeons and sucking their blood. One time he had sucked his wife's blood. Blood sucking is the main theme of Bram Stocker's novel in which the character of the novel, Dracula, sucked the blood of human beings. Here we present blood sucking as a real symptom and not an imaginary one. This symptom associated with self cutting is well understood in borderline personality disorder

[ case report of blood sucking behavior in a patient with borderline personality disorder]

Self-mutilation is defined as intentional damaging of the body without intention to die. Patients with borderline personality disorder frequently mutilate themselves by means of cutting, burning and abrading their skin. In this case report, a patient with borderline personality disorder is described who has cut his skin and suck his blood several times. He had also the history of killing pigeons and sucking their blood. One time he had sucked his wife's blood. Blood sucking is the main theme of Bram Stocker's novel in which the character of the novel, Dracula, sucked the blood of human beings. Here we present blood sucking as a real symptom and not an imaginary one. This symptom associated with self- cutting is well understood in borderline personality disorder

Prevalence of nicotine and opium dependence among psychiatric in-patients in Kerman, southwestern Iran

Many psychiatric patients have nicotine and other substance dependence. To determine the prevalence of nicotine and opium dependence among psychiatric in-patients in Kerman, a city in southwestern Iran. Three groups of psychiatric inpatients, chronic medical patients and a sample from local population, each including 400 subjects were selected. Nicotine dependence was evaluated by Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence. Scores >7 were considered positive for nicotine dependence. Opium dependence was evaluated by a semi-structured interview based on DSM IV. 115 [28.75%] out of 400 psychiatric patients had nicotine dependence which was significantly higher than that of the two other groups [p<0.0001]. 140 [35%] of psychiatric patients had opium dependence that did not differ from chronic medical patient but was higher than the control group [p<0.0001]. Frequencies of nicotine and opium dependence were higher among males in all three groups. The highest frequencies of nicotine and opium dependence were observed among patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychiatric patients are predisposed to substance dependence. One plausible reason for opium dependence in our patients is cultural factors. Substance dependence associated with other psychiatric disorders should be considered whenever treatment plan is made