Evaluation of bacteriological and chemical quality of dialysis water and fluid in Isfahan, central Iran

Background: Chemical and microbial quality of water used in hemodialysis play key roles in a number of dialysisrelated complications. In order to avoid the complications and to guarantee safety and health of patients therefore, vigorous control of water quality is essential. The objective of present study was to investigate the chemical and bacteriological characteristics of water used in dialysis centers of five hospitals in Isfahan, central Iran. Methods: A total of 30 water samples from the input of dialysis purification system and dialysis water were analyzed for chemical parameters. Heterotrophic plate count and endotoxin concentration of drinking water, dialysis water and dialysis fluid of 40 machines were also monitored over a 5-month period in 2011-2012. Results: Concentration of the determined chemicals (copper, zinc, sulfate, fluoride, chloramines and free chlorine) did not exceed the recommended concentration by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) exclude lead, nitrate, aluminum and calcium. Furthermore, the magnesium; cadmium and chromium concentration exceeded the maximum level in some centers. No contamination with heterotrophic bacteria was observed in all samples, while the AMMI standard for endotoxin level in dialysis fluid (<2 EU/ml) was achieved in 95 of samples. Conclusion: Dialysis water and fluid failed to meet the all chemical and bacteriological requirements for hemodialysis. To minimize the risk of contaminants for hemodialysis patients therefore, a water quality management program including monitoring, maintenance and development of water treatment system in hemodialysis centers is extremely important. In addition, an appropriate disinfection program is needed to guarantee better control of bacterial growth and biofilm formation. © 2016, Iranian Journal of Public Health. All rights reserved

In vitro propagation of Alstroemeria using rhizome explants derived in vitro and in pot plants

Alstroemeria with beautiful and long shelf life of cut flower is one of the most important ornamental plants. This plant could propagate by splitting of the in vivo produced rhizomes but the propagation rate is rather low. In the present study, regeneration ability of plantlets was compared using in vitro and in vivo grown rhizome buds as explants. In vitro and in vivo grown rhizome buds were cultured on MS basal medium with 3 different compositions of growth regulators (1, 0.2 mg l-1 NAA with 1 mg l-1 BAand 0.2 mg l-1 IAA with 1 mg l-1 BA). Cultures were incubated in 18 ± 1°C at 16 h photoperiod. Four subculture of explants were done on the same fresh media with 3 weeks intervals. The results showed that in vivo rhizome bud produced the largest number of small rhizome and roots on medium containing 0.2 mg l-1 NAA with 1 mg l-1 BA

The influence of vermicompost on the growth and productivity of cymbidiums

The effects of cattle manure vermicompost on the growth and productivity of cymbidium (Cymbidium sp.) plants were evaluated under shade conditions. Cymbidium was grown in a container medium including 50% pumice, 30% charcoal, 10% vermiculite and 10% peat moss, which was basic plant growth medium substituted with 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% (by volume) vermicompost. The control consisted of container medium alone without vermicompost. Plants were supplied regularly with a complete mineral nutrient solution. The greatest vegetative growth resulted from substitution of container medium with 30% and 40% vermicompost, and the lowest growth was in the potting mixtures containing 0% vermicompost. Most flower buds and inflorescences occurred in the potting mixture containing 30% and 40% vermicompost, and the greatest length of inflorescences was observed in 30% vermicompost. Cymbidium grown in a container medium substituted with 30% and 40% had the most and greatest number of flowers. Some of the cymbidium growth and productivity enhancement, resulting from substitution of container medium with vermicompost, may be explained by nutritional factors; however, other factors, such as plant- growth-regulators and humates, might have also been involved since all plants were supplied regularly with all required nutrients

The Comparison of Some Chemical Treatments and Carvacrol on Improving Vase Life of Cut Alstroemeria Flower CV. Bridal

Premature leaf yellowing of Alstroemeria cut flowers prior to petal fall is the most important limiting factor of the flower postharvest life. In this study, cut flower Alstroemeria cv. Bridal were treated for 24 hours with different solutions including gibberllic acid, benzyl adenine, natural essential oil carvacrol with two concentrations of 50 and 100 mg L-1, 5-sulfo salicylic acid in two concentrations of 1 and 1.5 mM, sucrose in&nbsp; two concentrations of 5 and 10%. Ethanol and distilled water were used as controls. After treatment, flowers were placed in distilled water. The traits including vase life of flower and leaf, relative fresh weight, water uptake, chlorophyll and carotenoids contents were measured. The results showed that both concentrations of gibberellic acid (50 and 100 mgL-1) had the highest effect in delaying of flower aging for 3.33 and 3 days, respectively, compared to the control. Relative fresh weight and water uptake also were higher in mentioned treatments, than the other treatments. The gibberellic acid (50 and 100 mg L-1), benzyladenine (100 mg L-1) and 5-Sulfo salicylic acid (1.5 mM) treatments led to the postponement of leaf yellowing relative to the remaining treatments. Also, in the mentioned treatments chlorophyll content was found to be greater than the other treatments, but carotenoids level was lower, compared to control treatments. Overall, the increase in quality and shelf life of Alstroemeria cut flowers cv 'Bridal' due to both gibberellic acid treatments (50 and 100 mg L-1) was found to be greater than the increase due to the other examined solutions

THE RESPONSE OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF GERMAN CHAMOMILE (MATRICARIA RECUTITA L ) TO THE FERTILIZING IMPACTS OF VERMICOMPOST

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) is an important medicinal plant and its multi-therapeutic, cosmetic and nutritional values have been established through years of traditional and scientific application. In order to examine the impact of organic agriculture on the plant’s qualitative and quantitative characteristics along with producing a healthy plant as a source of human health products, while considering preservation of natural resources, this experiment was designed to determine the influence of vermicompost derived from cattle manure and crop residues without the application of chemical fertilizers on the essential oil and phenolic compounds of chamomile in temperate climate condition. The results represented that different vermicompost levels (0, 4, 8, 12 &16 t ha-1) improved and enhanced plant growth, plant height, number of shoots and flower accumulative dry matter through increasing fertilization levels. As a result, the implementation of 16 t ha-1 had the most significant effect on the mentioned characteristics. Oil yield was increased by comparing to the control (non-fertilized). Analysis of chamomile volatile constituents by GC and GC-MS, identified fifty-one components, which represented 97.5% of the oil. In addition, the highest contents of main constituents, including bisabolol oxide A (35.5%) and B (8.6%), β-farnesene (4.1%), and chamazulene (17.5%), were achieved from the implementation of 16 t ha-1 treatment. HPLC analysis of chamomile extract confirmed apigenin 7-O-glucoside as the major oil constituent in all treatments. Although the 16 t ha-1 treatment had the highest impact on evaluated characteristics, there were no significant differences between 12 t h-1 and 16 t h-1 treatments. [1]Mann, C. and E.J. Staba. 1986. The chemistry, pharmacology, and commercial formulations of chamomile, p. 235-280. In: L.E. Craker and J.E. Simon (eds). Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants. Recent Advances in Botany, Horticulture, and Pharmacology. Food Products Press. 1, p: 235-280

The Effect of Metal Ion Contents in Petal Tissue on Perception of Flower Final Colors in Gerbera hybrid

Interaction of floral pigments with metal ions can alter the final color of the petals. Metal ions can affect stability of flowers final color by altering vacuolar pH and activity of enzymes involved in biosynthesis, destruction, accumulation and transition of pigments. In this study, contents of metal ions of petal tissue and their relationships with parameters of petal color analyzed and compared in stage of full blooming in six varieties Gerbera with different colors. Investigation on metal ion contents in different varieties didn't show statistically significant difference in Cu2+ content. Results showed that enhancement of Fe2+ content in petals increased a* and C* parameters and decreased L* value. Also, reduction of Zn2+ amounts in petal tissue increased h* value. Unlike Ca2+, a positive significant difference observed between Mg2+ contents and parameters of C* and a*, also a negative significant difference between Mg2+ content and L* value. Ions of Fe2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ presented more effective relationship with flower color parameters. Concentration of Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ in petal tissue were ranged to 0.0076-0.012, 0.0035-0.004, 0.0017-0.003, 0.0021-0.0032, 2.18-2.97, 1.45-1.79 mg g-1 FW, respectively

Synthesis of Poly(para-aminostyrene) from 4-Chloromethyl Styrene Homopolymer and Its Styrene Copolymer

4-Chloromethyl styrene homopolymer and its copolymers with styrene were prepared from their corresponding 4-chloromethyl styrene and styrene monomers at 1:0, 1:1, 1:3 and 1:5 mole ratios. These homo- and copolymerswere synthesized by radical polymerization in presence of AIBN as initiator and dry toluene as solvent. Then, chloromethyl groups were converted into azidomethyl groups on the homo- and copolymers by substitution nucleophilic reaction in the presence of sodium azide (NaN3) and dry dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent.Finally, poly(para-amino styrene) homopolymers with different mole ratios of amino group on the polymer chain were prepared by reaction of Schmidt rearrangement in the presence of 3-fluoromethane sulfonic acid from the homopolymer and its corresponding styrene copolymers having all azido methyl groups. Structures of the obtained homopolymers and copolymers were characterized by FTIR,  1H NMR, and 13CNMR spectroscopy. Solubility of the homopolymer and copolymer products wastested in some organic solvents

Flower initiation and development in endemic Iranian lily (Lilium ledebourii Boiss.)

This study was performed to depict the anatomical changes in apical meristems in order to determine the flower initiation and development of Iranian lily (Lilium ledebourii). Observations carried out by scanning electron microscope (SEM) on groups of bulbs with different age and size showed that only large (≥55 g and ≥6 cm in diameter) 9-year-old and older bulbs expressed flowering transition, abandoning the juvenile condition. The switch from vegetative to reproductive in the apical meristem was characterized by flattening its dome. Flower initiation started between 10 and 20 days after planting, once the bulbs have passed a period of vernalization of two months at 3°C. The first hint of floral organ definition was noted 30 to 50 days after planting when the outer perianths started to grow followed by inner perianths in a pattern of 3−3. After complementation of flower formation by stamen and pistil appearance and development, flower abortion occurred in some bulbs 30 days after flower initiation. Flower bud abortion could not be linked to the bulb size. Identification of the exact time of flower initiation will be useful to provide proper management of Iranian lily in the process of domestication of this endemic endangered lily

Monitoring of airborne bacteria and aerosols in different wards of hospitals - Particle counting usefulness in investigation of airborne bacteria

[b]Introduction and objective[/b]. The presence of airborne bacteria in hospital environments is of great concern because of their potential role as a source of hospital-acquired infections (HAI). The aim of this study was the determination and comparison of the concentration of airborne bacteria in different wards of four educational hospitals, and evaluation of whether particle counting could be predictive of airborne bacterial concentration in different wards of a hospital. [b]Materials and method.[/b] The study was performed in an operating theatre (OT), intensive care unit (ICU), surgery ward (SW) and internal medicine (IM) ward of four educational hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. A total of 80 samples were analyzed for the presence of airborne bacteria and particle levels. [b]Results.[/b] The average level of bacteria ranged from 75–1194 CFU/m [sup]3[/sup] . Mean particle levels were higher than class 100,000 cleanrooms in all wards. A significant correlation was observed between the numbers of 1–5 µm particles and levels of airborne bacteria in operating theatres and ICUs. The results showed that factors which may influence the airborne bacterial level in hospital environments should be properly managed to minimize the risk of HAIs especially in operating theaters. [b]Conclusions.[/b] Microbial air contamination of hospital settings should be performed by the monitoring of airborne bacteria, but particle counting could be considered as a good operative method for the continuous monitoring of air quality in operating theaters and ICUs where higher risks of infection are suspected