Development of Porous Asymmetric Polyamide–Imide Torlon® Membranes for Physical CO2 Absorption and Separation

Porous flat-sheet polyamide–imide (PAI) membranes were prepared via a phase inversion method to evaluate CO2 absorption performance in the gas-liquid membrane contactors. Different amounts of polyethylene glycol (PEG-600) were introduced into the polymer solution to investigate the structure and performance of resulted membranes. The membranes were characterized in terms of gas permeation, contact angle measurement and CO2 absorption flux. By introducing 6 wt.% PEG into the polymer dope, N2 permeance of the membrane was significantly improved from 482 to 1320 GPU. Mean while, the effect of PEG on the measured water contact angle was in significant. From CO2 absorption test, the developed membrane presented about 90% higher CO2flux compared to the plain membrane at water flow rate of 70 ml/min. In conclusion, by introducing a polymeric non-solvent additive into the polymer dope, it is possible to enhance surface porosity (permeability) of PAI membranes, which is a key factor for CO2 absorption test

Three-component Synthesis of Electron-poor Alkenes using Isatin Derivatives, Acetylenic Esters, Triphenylphosphine and Theoretical Study

Synthesis of electron-poor alkenes has been reported by 1,2-proton shift and elimination of triphenyl phosphine from phosphorus ylide in good to high yields. The structures of six novel products were deduced fromtheir IR, 1HNMR, and 13CNMRspectra. The B3LYP/HF calculations for computation of 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts have been carried out for the compounds with the 6-31G* basis set utilizing the GIAOapproach. In addition, theoretical configurations of the title compound were studied in terms of the combined analysis of the HOMO–LUMO energy gap, NBO analysis, thermodynamic parameters and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP). Also ionization potential (I), electron affinity (A), chemical hardness (ç), electronic chemical potential (μ) and electrophilicity (ù) of the title molecule are reported. All calculations were  performed using B3LYP method with the 6-31G* basis set.KEYWORDS: Isatin, electron-poor alkenes, DFT, NBO, HOMO, LUMO

MANAGEMENT OF SIMPLE FEBRILE SEIZURES; A STUDY CONDUCTED IN IMAM HOSPITAL, OROMIEH

ObjectiveWhatever the health field, compliance with the recommended practice guidelines or parameters for diagnosis by specialists and expert health professionals benefits the patients. This study was conducted to determine the whether or not these guidelines or parameters are applied to the evaluation of children with first simple febrile convulsion (SFC) in a regional teaching hospital.Materials & MethodsIn a prospective study conducted on children with SFC, admitted in the Pediatric ward of Imam hospital, Oromieh, records of investigations ordered between Jan 2003 and Dec 2004 for children diagnosed with SFC were collected. Practice parameters of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) were employed as diagnostic standards. Applied practices were compared with AAP recommended practice parameters. Investigations performed included lumbar puncture, complete blood count, CRP, ESR, blood glucose, serum calcium, electrolytes, renal function tests, urinalysis, urine culture, and blood culture, chest X-ray, EEG and CT scan.ResultsTwo hundred and fifty-one consecutive cases, aged 6-60 months, were evaluated. Complete blood count, blood glucose, serum calcium, serum electrolytes, renal function tests, urinalysis, urine culture, and blood culture were tested in all cases (100%). Lumbar puncture, chest X-ray, EEG and CT brain scan had been performed in 10%, 24%, 1.4% and 0.65% of cases, respectively. The mean number of routine investigations was twelve.ConclusionCompared to recommended practice guidelines the results of this study highlighted that children with first SFC had more often than necessary investigation. These, not only resulted in significant expense, they proved to be of little diagnostic value. Compliance with a centrally organized national program would significantly help to improve SFC evaluation.Keywords: Febrile convulsion, Simple fébrile seizure, Lumbar puncture, Convulsion, Feve

Comparison of the Effect of Yoghurt Starter Bacteria and Lactobacillous Bulgaricus on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Activity of Ulcerative Colitis Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease and involving colon and rectum. Since patients with ulcerative colitis have high levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of starter bacteria of yogurt and lactobacillus boulagaricus on the activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with ulcerative colitis. METHODS: This experimental-laboratory study was performed on 10 ulcerative colitis patients in Dezful, Andimeshk and Shoosh in two experimental groups and a control group. Experimental groups included co-culture of PBMC and intended bacteria in dilutions of 0.1 and 0.01 and at 48 and 72 hours, and control group including PBMC of the patient at 48 and 72 hours. Variables IL-10 and IL-1β) were measured by ELISA. FINDINGS: There was a significant increase in the secretion of IL1β at dilution of 0.1 and 48 hours by PBMC stimulated with bulgaricus 940.4±249.61 in comparison with the starter 669.12±181.11 (p=0.004) and in 72 hours by bulgaricus 796.3±213.34 in comparison with the starter 464.25±128.41 (p=0.000), In dilution of 0.01 and 48 hours by bulgaricus 747.5±198.54 in comparison with starter 529.25±163.82 (p=0.005) and in 72 hours by bulgaricus 617.4±192.5 in comparison with starter 408.62±134.78 (P=0.004). Also, there was a significant increase in the secretion of cytokines in both dilution and both times between of the experimental groups and control. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that Lactobacillus bulgaricus causes inflammation in comparison with the starter by IL1β secretion. Starter bacteria has a better role in reducing inflammation

Susceptibility of different populations of Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to malathion (EC 57%) in flour mills of Iran

The confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum, is a key pest of stored products such as wheat and flour. For decades, organophosphorus compounds, such as malathion and pirimiphos-methyl, have been applied against stored-product pests. In this research, susceptibility of different populations of T. confusum, collected from silos at different locations of Iran, against malathion (EC 57%), was studied in the laboratory, based on a completely randomized design. Based on pre-tests, the Bioassay Index Dose was estimated as 2 g a.i./m2. Out of 23 populations, 2 populations from Bandar-Abbas region were resistant populations against malathion (9.72% and 67.2% mortality), while one population from Khomein region was moderately resistant (86.08% mortality), and the rest of the population were susceptible to malathion (95.71% to 100% mortality). Therefore, in warm locations of Iran, where this pest has evolved resistance against malathion, other control measures shall be considered

Effects of imidacloprid, dichlorvos, pymetrozine and abamectin, on life table parameters of the predatory bug, Orius albidipennis (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

Effects of four pesticides (imidacloprid, dichlorvos, pymetrozine and abamectin) were evaluated on life table parameters of Orius albidipennis (Reuter). Pesticides were used at the concentrations recommended by the manufacturers. The bioassays were carried out using drum-cell method, in a growth chamber at 27 ± 1ºC, R.H. of 65 ± 5% and 16 h photo phase. The net reproductive rate (R0) value for the populations treated with imidacloprid, dichlorvos, pymetrozine, abamectin and tap water as control was, 2.91 ± 0.48, 18.85 ± 2.55, 10.16 ± 1.21, 8.00 ± 1.05, 43.40 ± 7.64; the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) was 0.040 ± 0.005, 0.097 ± 0.018, 0.086 ± 0.012, 0.078 ± 0.010, 0.148 ± 0.006: the mean generation time (T) was 25.60 ± 1.12, 25.94 ± 1.85, 26.37 ± 0.25, 25.61 ± 0.21, 25.20 ± 1.16; the doubling time (DT) was 18.04 ± 2.76, 7.72 ± 1.60, 8.23 ± 1.11, 9.24 ± 1.37, 4.68 ± 0.18, and the finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.041 ± 0.006, 1.102 ± 0.019, 1.090 ± 0.013, 1.081 ± 0.011, 1.160 ± 0.007, respectively. Imidacloprid and dichlorvos, which revealed the most and the least effects on the life table parameters, were the most and the least harmful among the chemicals tested

Comparative toxicity of abamectin, cyromazine and spinosad against the leaf-miner fly, Liriomyza sativae (Dip.: Agromyzidae)

The leaf-miner fly, Liriomyza sativae (Blanchard), is one of the major insect pests of vegetable crops in Iran and other countries. To determine the toxicity (LC50) of bioinsecticides abamectin 1.8% EC, cyromazine 75% WP and spinosad 24% SC against L. sativae, bioassay was done on its larval and adult stages under 25 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% R.H. and a photoperiod of 16: 8 (L: D). The LC50 values found to be 1.5, 1.8, 14.3 ppm for abamectin, 34.8, 38.4, 1295 ppm for cyromazine and 4.4, 12.1, 13.7 ppm for spinosad against the first and last larval stages as well as the adults of L. sativae, respectively. The toxicity of the insecticides on the larval stages was higher than on adults. Using a mixture of petroleum oil, as a synergist, and the insecticides significantly increased the mortality of the first instar larvae. The results indicated that cyromazine is ineffective for the control of adults, while it is proved to be effective against the leaf-miner's larval stages. It is found that abamectin and spinosad are more efficient insecticides than cyromazine for the control of all developmental and adult stages of L. sativae

Compatibility of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana with the insecticides fipronil, pyriproxyfen and hexaflumuron

The compatibility of Beauveria bassiana isolate DEBI 002 (Atashgah) with fipronil, pyriproxyfenand hexaflumuron insecticides was assayed. To determine the impact of the insecticides on thegermination of the fungal spore, different concentrations of the compounds were added to the culturemedium (malt agar). In order to calculate the mycelial growth in different treatments, each colonydiameter was measured and the spores were counted in the surface area to assess its sporulation. Theresults showed that pyriproxyfen at 1500 ppm and hexaflumuron at 80 ppm completely inhibited mycelialgrowth, while the inhibitory effect of fipronil at 1600 ppm remained at 76.6%. The inhibitory effect oflower concentrations of all three insecticides was between 10 and 20%. All tested insecticides inhibitedthe spore production between 80 to 100% at the highest concentrations without any significantdifferences. Pyriproxyfen at 400 ppm and hexaflumuron at all concentrations completely inhibited sporegermination, with significant difference, comparing with the rest of treatments. The results indicate thathexaflumuron has the highest inhibitory effect on the spore germination and is not recommended to beused simultaneously with B. bassiana against the insect pests