Heavy metals bioaccumulation in fish of southern Iran and risk assessment of fish consumption

Background: This study purposed to assess the health risks of heavy metals including nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in three widely-consumed fish from the coast of Bandar Abbas (Persian Gulf) and to determine the maximum amounts allowed for consumption according to the degree of contamination. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the summer and fall of 2013. Thunnus tonggol and Liza klunzingeri were selected from the Bandar Abbas market, and Pleuronectiformes were caught from the sea. Heavy metal concentrations were determined by atomic absorption. Risk assessment and allowable consumption levels were determined according to methods provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Results: The highest average levels of Ni and Cr in Thunnus tonggol were 0.059 and 0.234 (μg/g dry weight), respectively. The highest average level of Hg in Pleuronectiformes was 0.095 (μg/g dry weight), and the highest average level of Pb in Liza klunzingeri was 0.006 (μg/g dry weight). The target hazard quotient (THQ) for all analyses of metals in the studied species and the hazard index (HI) were less than 1 for all three species. Conclusion: The results showed that despite Ni, Cr, Hg, and Pb pollution, the consumption of up to 4 (kg/d) of Thunnus tonggol by adults and up to 2.2 (kg/d) by children does not cause health problems in terms of the tested heavy metals. For Liza klunzingeri, these levels are 7.32 and 4.02 (kg/d), respectively

Growth Opportunities, Earning Permanence and the Valuation of Free Cash Flow

Equity Valuation Theory prescribes that free cash flow should not be associated with stock returns because it does not add value. However, free cash flow could become a value-relevant construct in certain contexts. This study considers growth opportunities and transitory earnings as two such contexts and examines the valuation of free cash flows. So, the purpose of this study is the investigation of the effect of growth opportunities and earnings permanence on market valuation of free cash flow. An accounting-based valuation framework is developed where stock returns are regressed on free cash flow interacted with growth and earnings quality proxies, after controlling for book values, dividends, and earnings per share. The data of 64 companies for the period of 2013-2015 in Tehran stock exchange were used. Findings reveal that firms with a positive free cash flow and attractive growth opportunities command a valuation premium from the market. Furthermore, probably 90% free cash flow is found to be positively associated with stock returns when earnings are transitory

Effectiveness and Safety of Haloperidol Add-on Methadone in Acute Opium Withdrawal Symptoms of Opioid-dependent Patients: A Double-blind Randomized Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

Background: The aim of this double-blind clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of haloperidol on acute opioid withdrawal symptoms. Methods: In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, fifty-two eligible patients were assigned to two groups according to previous opioid consumption, low dose (LD) and high dose (HD). Then, patients in each group were randomly assigned to one of the two subgroups of haloperidol or placebo. Patients in the haloperidol subgroup in LD group received 2.5 mg and in HD group received 5 mg/day haloperidol with methadone. Methadone was discontinued ten days after the beginning of the study and haloperidol or placebo continued for up to two weeks after methadone discontinuation. The severity of opioid withdrawal symptoms was assessed with the Objective Opioid Withdrawal Scale (OOWS) every other day. Findings: Although both treatment protocols either in LD or HD opioid consumption groups significantly increased the score of the OOWS over the trial period (all subgroups, P 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that 2.5 mg/day of haloperidol may be an effective adjuvant agent in the management of opium withdrawal symptoms in patients with LD opioid consumption. Nevertheless, results of larger controlled trials are needed before recommendation for a broad clinical application can be mad

The Efficiency of Modified Wheat Brad in Reactive Black 5 Dye Removal from Aqueous Solutions

Background: Surface absorption using low cost materials has been an appropriate method to treat lots of industrial wastewater. The aim of this study was application of wheat brad as a low cost adsorbent for reactive black 5 removal from textile wastewater. Methods: In this study, modified wheat brad was used for dye removal from textile wastewater at laboratory scale. Cetylpyridinium chloride monohydrate (CPC) at 2.5 mmol/L was applied for modification of wheat brad. The experiments were conducted at batch system and the effects of parameters such as pH, adsorbent dose, initial dye concentration and contact time on RB5 adsorption by modified wheat brad were studied. Results: According to the results of this study, the minimum and maximum dye removal efficiency were obtained at pH solution 1 and 7 that were 61.54% and 83.15%, respectively. With increasing contact time and adsorbent dose, dye removal efficiency increased. Furthermore, by increasing the dye initial concentration in solution, dye removal rate increased and dye removal efficiency decreased. Based on the results, the Langmuir isotherm and second order kinetics are the best modules for explanation of RB5 adsorption onto modified wheat brad. Conclusion: Considering the high cost of other methods in dye removal, modified wheat brad could be used as a relatively efficient and low cost adsorbent in dye removal from textile wastewater. Keywords: Adsorption, Reactive black 5, Aqueous solutions, Wheat bra

Heavy metals bioaccumulation in fish of southern Iran and risk assessment of fish consumption

Background: This study purposed to assess the health risks of heavy metals including nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in three widely-consumed fish from the coast of Bandar Abbas (Persian Gulf) and to determine the maximum amounts allowed for consumption according to the degree of contamination. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the summer and fall of 2013. Thunnus tonggol and Liza klunzingeri were selected from the Bandar Abbas market, and Pleuronectiformes were caught from the sea. Heavy metal concentrations were determined by atomic absorption. Risk assessment and allowable consumption levels were determined according to methods provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Results: The highest average levels of Ni and Cr in Thunnus tonggol were 0.059 and 0.234 (µg/g dry weight), respectively. The highest average level of Hg in Pleuronectiformes was 0.095 (µg/g dry weight), and the highest average level of Pb in Liza klunzingeri was 0.006 (µg/g dry weight). The target hazard quotient (THQ) for all analyses of metals in the studied species and the hazard index (HI) were less than 1 for all three species. Conclusion: The results showed that despite Ni, Cr, Hg, and Pb pollution, the consumption of up to 4 (kg/d) of Thunnus tonggol by adults and up to 2.2 (kg/d) by children does not cause health problems in terms of the tested heavy metals. For Liza klunzingeri, these levels are 7.32 and 4.02 (kg/d), respectively

Determining the Topics and Content of CME Programs in Five Selected Subjects: Comparing the View Points of Experts and Target Group a Tehran University of Medical Sciences Experience

Introduction: One of the most appropriate methods for needs assessment is to assess learners' needs and arrange the educational programs based on their viewpoints. The aim of this study was to determine the topics and content of Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs in five selected subjects by medical education experts and target group, based on the real needs of General Practitioners (GPs) in order to revise CME national programs. Methods: In this cross-sectional applied study, 700 GPs covered by Medical Sciences Universities in Tehran province were studied. A questionnaire consisting of two parts of demographic features and 80 scientific questions regarding their knowledge in five domains of clinical pharmacology, skin diseases, toxicology, emergencies, and forensic medicine was used. The questionnaires were delivered to physicians' offices by trained personnel using a list or by direct referral to offices and then gathered. Three topics in each subject and 15 standard educational contents in total were developed for the target group. Results: There was almost a complete relationship between the opinion of experts and target group in forensic medicine. Some of the first five priorities of the two groups overlapped in skin diseases, forensic medicine, and emergencies. No common viewpoints were observed between experts and target group in pharmacology. In toxicology, there was no common viewpoint in the first three selections of the two groups. Conclusion: Real educational needs of GPs in receiving new information in order to promote their competencies and knowledge were different from those considered by experts. It is recommended to design the educational content for the target groups in the health care field based on their real deficiencies in knowledge and practice and by assessing their views and knowledge