Investigation of date stone meal efficiency in removal of cadmium from aqueous solutions: Adsorption isotherm and kinetic studies

Background and Aims: One of the most important issues of today’s world is water scarcity and water supply pollution with heavy metals. This study aimed to investigate the removal of cadmium ions by date stone meal from aqueous solution.Materials and Methods: Date stone meal was prepared of date packaging workshop in Shadegan city, with the permission of the head of the workshop. This was an experimental study in laboratory bybatch system. In this study was investigated test variables effects including pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration of cadmium and reaction time on removal efficiency. The concentration of cadmium ionswas measured using atomic absorption. In carrying out this study, and the use of resources, ethical issues was conducted.Results: The results showed that the adsorption capacity of cadmium on date stone meal dependent on the parameters of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration and contact time. Adsorption capacity increased by increasing of pH, adsorbent dose and contact time, while it decreased with increasing initial concentration.The optimum efficiency was obtained in the pH 6, adsorbent dosage of 3 g/L, the initial concentration of 15 mgCd/L, and 15 min contact time. The result showed that cadmium adsorption isotherm by date stone meal is followed the Freundlich model. The best model of cadmium adsorption kinetics in this study, was shown pseudo-second-order kinetic model.Conclusion: In this study, it was found that date stone meal, have a high ability to adsorb cadmium and can be used as a low-cost adsorbent.Keyword: Cadmium, Adsorption, Date stone meal, Isotherms, KineticsFor downloading the full text please click her

COD removal and decolorization efficacy of ozonation process in spiral high pressure super mixing reactor for treatment of alcohol distilleries wastewater

Background and Aims: Alcohol distillery wastewater is a highly polluted wastewater which its treatment poses a special problem. In this work, the efficiency of ozonation process exploited in a spiral high pressure super mixing reactor was studied for COD removal and decolorization of alcohol distilleries wastewater. The results was also compared with a conventional reactor. Materials and Methods: The present laboratory-scale research was done on real effluent from anaerobic wastewater treatment unit of alcohol wastewater. Experiments were conducted in a pressurized spiral super mixing reactor equipped with static mixers and also in a control conventional reactor with the same volume. The process performance criteria, such as COD, BOD and color, were determined according to standards methods for water and wastewater examination. Results: The pressurized spiral super mixing reactor showed high efficiency in removing pollutants and reducing ozone consumption as compared to conventional reactor. Typically, during 30 min, and pH =5.3, the COD removal efficiency in the pressurized spiral super mixing reactor was 4.8 times higher than that of conventional reactor. According to the results, the efficacy of ozonation process increased by changing the pH from acidic to alkaline. Generally, the respective highest removal efficiency of COD and color was obtained at pH=11 and pH=5.3  in both reactors at their maximum retention time.  Also the biodegradability of wastewater (BOD/COD) was enhanced in both reactors following ozonation process. Conclusion: The pressurized spiral super mixing reactor performance in reducing ozone consumption highlights the potential applicability of this reactor for wastewater treatment of alcohol industry. The reactor can be used as pre-treatment or post treatment processes for the appropriate treatment of industrial wastewater. Keywords: Ozone, Alcohol industry, Pressurized spiral super mixing reactor, Colour, CO

Investigating the Levels of Shed Extracellular Domain of HER2 Protein in the Sera of Bladder Cancer Patients

Background: Receptor tyrosine-protein kinase ERBB2, also known as human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), is heterogeneously expressed in a variety of human cancers, including bladder cancer. Based on previous studies that show its association with bladder cancer progression, HER2 has been included in novel multiplatform biomarkers for prediction of bladder cancer prognosis. However, the clinical significance of HER2 status remains underinvestigated and poorly linked to the patients’ clinicopathological features. Here, we aim to scrutinize the levels of the extracellular domain of HER2 in the sera of bladder cancer patients and correlate these levels with clinicopathological features of the tumor. Methods: In the present analytical cross-sectional study, we enrolled 60 pathologically confirmed bladder cancer patients along with 20 age-sex matched healthy controls, and compared their serum HER2 levels as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:We observed no statistically significant difference when comparing the levels of HER2 in the sera of cases and controls (P>0.05). Interestingly, serum HER2 levels of controls were higher than bladder cancer patients who had lymph node metastasis (P=0.036). Serum levels of HER2 were also higher in controls than bladder cancer patients with perineural invasion (P=0.028). We observed significantly higher HER2 serum levels in transitional cell carcinoma patients in comparison to non-transitional cell carcinoma patients (P=0.016). Conclusion: Our observations are suggestive of the absence of any association between bladder cancer prognostic factors and serum HER2 levels. To draw any definitive conclusion, further studies with larger sample sizes that examine the presence of neutralizing auto-antibodies against serum HER2, immunohistochemistry examination of HER2 in bladder tumor and lymph node samples, and urinary HER2 levels, along with measurement of its serum levels would be helpful

National and sub-national age-sex specific and cause-specific mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to household air pollution from solid cookfuel use (HAP) in Iran, 1990–2013

National and sub-national mortality, years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for household air pollution from solid cookfuel use (HAP) in Iran, 1990–2013 were estimated based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 (GBD 2013). The burden of disease attributable to HAP was quantified by the comparative risk assessment method using four inputs: (1) exposure to HAP, (2) the theoretical minimum risk exposure level (TMREL), (3) exposure-response relationships of related causes (4) disease burden of related causes. All across the country, solid fuel use decreased from 5.26% in 1990 to 0.15% in 2013. The drastic reduction of solid fuel use leaded to DALYs attributable to HAP fell by 97.8% (95% uncertainty interval 97.7–98.0%) from 87,433 (51072–144303) in 1990 to 1889 (1016–3247) in 2013. Proportion of YLLs in DALYs from HAP decreased from 95.7% in 1990 to 86.6% in 2013. Contribution of causes in the attributable DALYs was variable during the study period and in 2013 was in the following order: ischemic heart disease for 43.4%, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for 24.7%, hemorrhagic stroke for 9.7%, lower respiratory infections for 9.3%, ischemic stroke for 7.8%, lung cancer for 3.4% and cataract for 1.8%. Based on the Gini coefficient, the spatial inequality of the disease burden from HAP increased during the study period. The remained burden of disease was relatively scarce and it mainly occurred in seven southern provinces. Further reduction of the disease burden from HAP as well as compensation of the increasing spatial inequality in Iran could be attained through an especial plan for providing cleaner fuels in the southern provinces

Self-purification of marine environments for heavy metals: a study on removal of lead(II) and copper(II) by cuttlebone

The aim of this study was to determine adsorption properties of cuttlebone, cuttlefish bone as dead biomass, for lead(II) and copper(II) from aqueous solutions. Adsorption kinetic, isotherm and effect of pH (in the range of 2.0–7.0) were investigated in a single component batch system at room temperature (25±1 WC). The heavy metal adsorption by cuttlebone was relatively rapid and reached to equilibrium in 120 min in all the cases. The pseudo-second order rate equation described the adsorption kinetic of both the ions. The adsorption capacities of Pb2þ and Cu2þ were constantly increased by pH and the optimum condition of pH was determined to be 7.0. The Freundlich model was better fitted than other models with the isotherm data indicating sorption of the metal ions in a heterogeneous surface. According to the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacities (qm) of cuttlebone for Pb2þ and Cu2þ were determined to be 45.9 and 39.9 mg/g, respectively. The results indicated cuttlebone as a promising adsorbent for Pb2þ and Cu2þ that presents a high capacity of self-purification in marine environments as well as can be used for removal of the metal ions from water and wastewater

Public awareness, education and participation in solid waste management in Tehran

Background and objectives: Public participation in is vital in optimal management of municipal solid waste. Thepublic awareness, education and empowerment are the pre-requisites for the use of this potential. In this study, public awareness, education and participation in solid waste management were studied among a community samplein Tehran-2012. Materials and methods: The overall situation of solid waste management in Tehran was firstly assessed. Study participants were, thereafter, sampled from households from the 22 urban districts in the city of Tehran. A questionnaire was prepared and applied to 500 householders to estimate the public awareness, education and participation in solid waste management.Results: The results of this study showed that only about one-third of people had appropriate awareness in the field of solid waste management. The overall status of public education in solid waste management was also insufficient, so that 86% of people were trained at level of poor or very poor. Public participation in solid waste management was variable in different fields. Public participation in simple activities such as avoiding waste spillage and splurge in public places and scheduled transfer of collected waste to public containers was relatively good; and in waste reduction and separation of recyclable components was moderate. Furthermore, separation of hazardous waste and household composting were not done due to lack of required facilities and training.Conclusion: The present study revealed that public education and required facilities should be supplied and expanded in order to increase public participation in solid waste management. Repetition and continuity of education programs, face to face training, and greater use of television and Internet media are emphasized.Keywords: Public education, Public participation, Municipal solid waste, Tehran Cit

بررسی عملکرد دستگاه‌های بی خطرساز پسماندهای عفونی در بیمارستانهای تحت پوشش دانشکده علوم پزشکی و خدمات بهداشتی درمانی خوی در سال 1400-1399

Background and Aims: Waste from health-care facilities is important because of its major role in the spread of various diseases as well as environmental pollutants. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to assess the performance of Non-Incineration waste decontamination devices in hospitals. The present study set out to assess the performance of non-combustible non-hazardous waste decontamination devices in hospitals covered by Khoy University of Medical Sciences in 2020-2021. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in in all hospitals of Khoy city in 2020-2021. In this research, the necessary information and data has been extracted through direct observation and interviews with officials and environmental health experts of hospitals. The performance of the devices has been evaluated in term of physical and biological parameters. Mechanical performance was assessed by thermometers and device registers, and a biological indicator vial was used to assess their biological performance. Data were analyzed using SPSS & Excel softwares. Results: The average total waste production in Khoy hospitals was estimated to be 731.65 kg/day. This parameter in terms of waste production active bed per day was 1.32 kg. In the all studied hospitals, Non-Incineration waste decontamination devices had a favorable performance in terms of mechanical (100%) and biological concerns (100%).Devices had a favorable performance in terms of mechanical (100%) and biological properties. (100%). Conclusion: Non-Incineration waste decontamination devices whit hydroclave technology in the studied hospitals can be considered as the most suitable if operated by skilled and capable operators due to their proper performance in terms of mechanical and biological parameters, lower pollution production, as well as lower safety costs. This technology have a higher selection score as the most appropriate option among different technologies of infectious waste management.زمینه و اهداف: پسماندهای مراکز بهداشتی- درمانی به لحاظ نقش عمده آن‌ها در گسترش انواع بیماری‌ها و همچنین آلودگی محیط دارای اهمیت ویژه‌ای هستند. هدف از انجام این مطالعه تعیین عملکرد دستگاه‌های غیرسوز بی‌خطرساز پسماند در بیمارستان‌های تحت پوشش دانشکده علوم پزشکی و خدمات بهداشتی درمانی خوی می‌باشد. مواد و روش‌ها: مطالعه حاضر یک مطالعه توصیفی- مقطعی و مشاهده‌ای و در شش‌ماهه دوم سال 1399 و شش‌ماهه اول سال 1400 در کلیه بیمارستان‌های شهر خوی انجام‌شده است. اطلاعات لازم از طریق مشاهده مستقیم و به‌ روش مصاحبه با کارشناسان بهداشت محیط بیمارستان‌ها استخراج ‌شده است. عملکرد دستگاه‌ها از نظر فیزیکی (مکانیکی) و بیولوژیکی بررسی گردیده است. بررسی عملکرد مکانیکی توسط دماسنج و ثبات‌های دستگاه انجام شد و به‌منظور بررسی عملکرد بی‌خطرسازی بیولوژیکی از ویال اندیکاتور بیولوژیک استفاده شد. داده‌ها با استفاده از آمار توصیفی و نرم‌افزار  Excel و SPSS تجزیه‌ وتحلیل شد. در تمام مراحل، ملاحظات اخلاقی مد­نظر قرار گرفت. یافته‌ها: میانگین کل پسماندهای تولیدی در بیمارستان‌های خوی 65/731 کیلوگرم در روز و سرانه تولید زباله به ازای هر تخت فعال در روز 32/1 کیلوگرم برآورد شد. عملکرد همه دستگاه‌های بی‌خطرساز پسماند مورد بررسی، از نظر مکانیکی (100 درصد) و بیولوژیکی (100 درصد) مطلوب ارزیابی گردید. نتیجه‌گیری: دستگاه‌های هایدروکلاو مورد بررسی به دلیل عملکرد مناسب از نظر شاخص‌های مکانیکی و بیولوژیکی و نیز تولید آلودگی کمتر  و هزینه‌های بی‌خطر سازی پایین‌تر و همچنین در صورتی ‌که توسط اپراتورهای ماهر و توانمند راهبری شوند می‌توانند بعنوان مناسب‌ترین گزینه در بین فناوری‌های مختلف مدیریت پسماندهای عفونی از امتیاز انتخاب بالاتری برخوردار باشند. &nbsp

بررسی کارایی پودر هسته خرما در جذب کادمیوم از محلول‌های آبی : تعیین ایزوترم وسینتیک جذب

Background and Aims: One of the most important issues of today’s world is water scarcity and water supply pollution with heavy metals. This study aimed to investigate the removal of cadmium ions by date stone meal from aqueous solution.Materials and Methods: Date stone meal was prepared of date packaging workshop in Shadegan city, with the permission of the head of the workshop. This was an experimental study in laboratory bybatch system. In this study was investigated test variables effects including pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration of cadmium and reaction time on removal efficiency. The concentration of cadmium ionswas measured using atomic absorption. In carrying out this study, and the use of resources, ethical issues was conducted.Results: The results showed that the adsorption capacity of cadmium on date stone meal dependent on the parameters of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration and contact time. Adsorption capacity increased by increasing of pH, adsorbent dose and contact time, while it decreased with increasing initial concentration.The optimum efficiency was obtained in the pH 6, adsorbent dosage of 3 g/L, the initial concentration of 15 mgCd/L, and 15 min contact time. The result showed that cadmium adsorption isotherm by date stone meal is followed the Freundlich model. The best model of cadmium adsorption kinetics in this study, was shown pseudo-second-order kinetic model.Conclusion: In this study, it was found that date stone meal, have a high ability to adsorb cadmium and can be used as a low-cost adsorbent.زمینه  و اهداف: یکی از بزرگترین مشکلات دنیای امروز، کمبود آب وآلودگی منابع آب محیط زیست به فلزات سنگین است. این مطالعه با هدف بررسی میزان حذف یونهای کادمیوم توسط پودر هسته خرما از محلول آبی انجام گردید. مواد و روشها: هسته خرما از کارگاه بسته بندی در شهرستان شادگان، از طریق هماهنگی با مدیریت کارگاه تهیه گردید. این مطالعه تجربی و در مقیاس آزمایشگاهی به منظور بررسی حذف کادمیوم از محلول آبی توسط پودر هسته خرما در سیستم جریان ناپیوسته صورت گرفت. در این مطالعه متغیرهای آزمایش شامل pH، جرم جاذب، غلظت اولیه کادمیوم و زمان واکنش، بررسی شد. غلظت یونهای کادمیوم با استفاده از دستگاه جذب اتمی اندازه گیری شد. در انجام این طرح و استفاده از منابع، رعا یت موازین  اخلاقی انجام شد. یافته ها: نتایج نشان داد که ظرفیت جذب کادمیوم بر روی پودر هسته خرما، به پارامترهای pH، دوز جاذب، غلظت اولیه و زمان تماس واکنش وابسته است. با افزایشpH ، مقدار جاذب و زمان تماس، راندمان زیاد شده، در حالی که با افزایش غلظت اولیه، راندمان کاهش یافت. راندمان بهینه حذف، در pH برابر 6، دوز جاذب 3 گرم در لیتر، غلظت اولیه 15 میلیگرم در لیتر و زمان تماس 15 دقیقه بدست آمد. ایزوترم جذب کادمیوم بوسیله پودر هسته خرما از مدل فرندلیچ تبعیت می کرد. بهترین مدل سینتیک جذب کادمیوم در این مطالعه، مدل شبه درجه دوم نشان داده شد . نتیجه گیری: در این مطالعه مشخص شد که پودر هسته خرما توانایی بالایی برای حذف کادمیوم دارد و میتواند به عنوان یک جاذب ارزان یی مورد استفاده قرار گیر

کارایی فرایند ازن ‌زنی در راکتور مارپیچی با اختلاط بالا جهت حذف COD و رنگ از فاضلاب صنعت الکل‌سازی

Background and Aims: Alcohol distillery wastewater is a highly polluted wastewater which its treatment poses a special problem. In this work, the efficiency of ozonation process exploited in a spiral high pressure super mixing reactor was studied for COD removal and decolorization of alcohol distilleries wastewater. The results was also compared with a conventional reactor.  Materials and Methods: The present laboratory-scale research was done on real effluent from anaerobic wastewater treatment unit of alcohol wastewater. Experiments were conducted in a pressurized spiral super mixing reactor equipped with static mixers and also in a control conventional reactor with the same volume. The process performance criteria, such as COD, BOD and color, were determined according to standards methods for water and wastewater examination.  Results: The pressurized spiral super mixing reactor showed high efficiency in removing pollutants and reducing ozone consumption as compared to conventional reactor. Typically, during 30 min, and pH =5.3, the COD removal efficiency in the pressurized spiral super mixing reactor was 4.8 times higher than that of conventional reactor. According to the results, the efficacy of ozonation process increased by changing the pH from acidic to alkaline. Generally, the respective highest removal efficiency of COD and color was obtained at pH=11 and pH=5.3  in both reactors at their maximum retention time.  Also the biodegradability of wastewater (BOD/COD) was enhanced in both reactors following ozonation process.  Conclusion: The pressurized spiral super mixing reactor performance in reducing ozone consumption highlights the potential applicability of this reactor for wastewater treatment of alcohol industry. The reactor can be used as pre-treatment or post treatment processes for the appropriate treatment of industrial wastewater.زمینه و اهداف: فاضلاب صنعت الکل‌سازی دارای آلودگی بسیار بالا و تصفیه آن مشکل می‌باشد. در این تحقیق کارایی فرایند ازن‌ زنی در راکتور مارپیچ و تحت فشار و اختلاط بالا با استفاده از استاتیک میکسر و مقایسه کارایی آن با راکتور متداول ازن ‌زنی به منظور تصفیه فاضلاب صنعت الکل‌سازی مورد بررسی قرار گرفته است.  مواد و  روش‌ها: این تحقیق بر روی پساب خروجی از واحد تصفیه بی‌هوازی فاضلاب واقعی حاصل از کارخانه الکل‌سازی در مقیاس آزمایشگاهی انجام شد. اکسیژن موردنیاز شیمیایی (COD)، اکسیژن موردنیاز بیوشیمیایی (BOD) و رنگ، آلاینده­های مورد بررسی بودند.  یافته‌ها: نتایج حاصل از این مطالعه نشان داد که راکتور مارپیچی با اختلاط بالا در شرایط کاملا مشابه نسبت به راکتور متداول، کارایی بیشتری در حذف آلاینده‌ها و کاهش مصرف میزان ازن دارد. به‌طوری‌که در زمان ماند 30 دقیقه و pH برابر 3/5 راندمان حذف COD در راکتور مارپیچی با اختلاط بالا، 8/4 برابر راکتور متداول بود. بیشترین راندمان حذف برای شاخص COD در هر دو راکتور مارپیچی با اختلاط بالا و معمول در حداکثر زمان ماند فرایند در pH برابر ۱۱ و برای رنگ در حداکثر زمان ماند فرایند در pH برابر ۳/۵ حاصل شد. همچنین نتایج نشان‌دهنده افزایش نسبت BOD/COD در هر دو راکتور در اثر فرایند ازن‌ زنی بود.  نتیجه‌گیری: کارائی راکتور مارپیچی با اختلاط بالا با استفاده از استاتیک میکسر، نشانگر قابلیت کاربرد این راکتور براي تصفيه فاضلاب صنعت الکل‌سازی مي‌باشد. همچنین می‌توان این راکتور را به عنوان پیش‌تصفیه و یا تصفیه پیشرفته فرایندهای بیولوژیکی جهت تصفیه بسیاری از فاضلاب‌های صنعتی مورد استفاده قرار داد