Bacterial Contamination of Mobile Phones Carried by Medical Staff in Maternity, Neonatal, and ICU Wards of Shahid Beheshti and Imam Sajjad Hospitals in Yasuj

The use of mobile phones by healthcare personnel, doctors, patients, and patients’ companions are unavoidable in health centers, especially in hospitals. Besides being rarely clean, the mobile phone is a potential reservoir of disease and pathogens and hospital infections on bedside of hospitalized patients. In this study, the microbial contamination of mobile phones and potential of transmitting infections and their antibiotic resistance pattern were investigated. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was prepared to assess the importance of maternity, neonatal, and intensive care unit (ICU) staff attention to how to use and clean the cell phones in terms of valid sources. Samples were taken from 116 cell phones using a sterile swab. The standard plate count was used to detect the existing bacteria, and the antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolated bacteria were determined by standard methods. The microbial culture experiments indicated that 107 cell phones had microbial contamination, accounting for 92.24% of mobile phones. From 132 isolated strains, 115 strains (87.12%) were gram-positive while 17 were Gram-negative (12.88%). Furthermore, 67 (57.76%), 9 (7.7%), 4 (3.45%), 10 (8.62%), 12 (10.35%), 22 (19%), and 8 (6.9%) strains were coagulase-negative staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium, Bacillus, Streptococcus, and Escherichia coli, respectively. The results of this study indicated that cell phones were contaminated with different types of bacteria, and that all species isolated partially played an important role in the development of hospital-acquired and opportunistic infections. Therefore, continuous disinfection of mobile phones and non-use or limited use of them in the hospitals are recommended

Investigation of Microbial Contamination in Surfaces and Waterlines of Dental Units in Terms of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Coliforms

Background and aim: Water supply systems and various parts of dentistry unit have the ability to aggregate biofilms and thus the transmission of dangerous diseases to staff and patients. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial contamination of surfaces and water lines of dental units of health center (Qods 2) in Divandareh city. Material and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on dental units of the health center (Qods 2) in Divandareh city in 2019. 125 samples were collected from different parts of the units including unit lamp handle, lamp ON/OFF power button, open/close bolt of unit water, setting switch button (before and after disinfecting), and the inlet and outlet water of units. The samples were tested for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Coliforms and Escherichia coli. Results: The results of this study showed that all samples collected from the studied parts of the units including unit lamp handle, lamp ON/OFF power button, open/close bolt of unit water, and setting switch button were positive as presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and coliforms before and after disinfection. Also, the unit lamp handle and setting switch button were positive as Escherichia coli. The inlet and outlet water were also positive for all the studied bacteria. The number of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the handle of the unit lamp before disinfection (210±80.5 CFU/ml) and in the ON/OFF button of the lamp after disinfection (300±82.6 CFU/ml) were higher than the permissible amount (200 CFU/ml). Also, the number of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria detected in setting switch button, before disinfection, was higher (200±75.2) than the allowable value. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the contamination level of water and surface of the studied dental units was high. Also, identifying of the considerable number of bacteria at the different surfaces of the units, indicating the improper use of the disinfectants and the possibility of biofilms presence in the unit waterlines

Data on concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in roasted and fried chicken – A case study: Bushehr, Iran

In the present data article, the presence and amount of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were surveyed in Iranian roasted and fried chicken in Bushehr restaurants. For data collection, 73 samples (including 36 Roasted chicken and 37 Fried chicken samples) were collected from local restaurants and various retail outlets of Bushehr, Iran. The concentrations of 16 PAHs were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Results indicated that the total PAHs level was ranged from 4.20 to 32.29 mg/kg and 2.06–19.65 µg/kg in Roasted and Fried chicken, respectively. The differences in PAHs levels were observed among charcoal and gas-roasted samples as well as between chicken fried with different oil types. benzo[a] pyrene(BaP), an appropriate marker for occurrence and potential toxicity of PAHs food matrixes was found in all roasted samples ranged from 1.41–5.71 mg/kg and all fried samples in range of 0.9–3.32 µg/kg. Moreover, unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) and saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratios in the in the used vegetable oils had an important role in the generation of PAHs in fried chicken. Keywords: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), Roasted chicken, Fried chicken, Busheh

Dataset on photodegradation of tetracycline antibiotic with zinc stannate nanoflower in aqueous solution – Application of response surface methodology

Removal of pharmaceutical ingredients such as tetracycline from aqueous solution has a great importance. The aim of the current study was to investigate the degradation of tetracycline antibiotic in the presence of a triode semiconductor oxide as well as modeling of the photocatalytic degradation process in order to determine optimal condition Zinc stannate nanoflower (Zn2SnO4) was synthesized by hydrothermal process and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to model and optimize four key independent variables, including photocatalyst dosage, initial concentration of tetracycline antibiotic (TC) as model pollutant, pH and reaction time of photocatalytic degradation. The proposed quadratic model was in accordance with the experimental results with a correlation coefficient of 98%. The obtained optimal experimental conditions for the photodegradation process were the following: zinc stannate (ZTO) dosage=300 mg L-1, initial concentration of TC= 10 mg L-1, reaction time= 100 min and pH=4.5. Under the optimal conditions, the predicted degradation efficiency was 95.45% determined by the proposed model. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the optimization procedure, the confirmatory experiment was carried out under the optimal conditions and the degradation efficiency of 93.54% was observed, which closely agreed with the predicted value. Keywords: ZTO, Nanoflower, Photodegradation, Water treatment, Antibiotic, Modeling, RS

Assessing the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of metals in the drinking water of Isfahan, Iran

Abstract Metals are significant contributors to water pollution, posing serious threats to human health. This study aims to assess the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks associated with metals in Isfahan drinking water. Eighty water samples were randomly collected from the city's distribution network between January and March 2020–2021. Inductively coupled plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry was used to measure toxic metals, namely Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, and As concentrations. Results revealed that the mean concentration of Ni (70.03 µg/L) exceeded the WHO reference value (70 µg/L), while the other metals were below the standard values. The average chronic daily intake order of toxic metals was Ni > Cr > Pb > As > Cd. Non-carcinogenic risk assessment through hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) demonstrated that both THI for adults (HQingestion + HQdermal = 4.02E−03) and THI for children (HIingestion + HIdermal = 3.83E−03) were below the acceptable limit (less than 1). This indicated no non-carcinogenic risk to residents through water ingestion or dermal exposure. However, findings indicated that the ingestion route was the primary exposure pathway, with HQ values for ingestion exceeding HQ values for dermal adsorption. Carcinogenic risk assessment showed that the risk associated with As metal exceeded the acceptable limit (1 × 10−6). Therefore, implementing treatment improvement programs and appropriate control measures is essential to safeguard the health of Isfahan City residents

Kinetic and modeling data on phenol removal by Iron-modified Scoria Powder (FSP) from aqueous solutions

Phenol present in industrial effluents is a toxicant matter which causes pollution of environments aqueous. In this work, scoria was modified by iron in order to increasing of adsorbent efficiency and effective removing of phenol. Effects of independent variables including pH, adsorbents dosage, contact time and adsorbate concentration on removing of phenol were studied by response surface methodology (RSM) based on the central composite designs (CCD). The characterization of raw scoria powder (RSP) and Iron-modified Scoria Powder (FSP) was determined via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The obtained data showed modification by iron caused the growth of new crystalline of iron oxide on the surface of FSP. Evaluated data by RSM indicated the all variables especially pH are effective in removing of phenol (P-value < 0.001) and optimum condition was obtained at pH = 5, phenol concentration = 50 mg/l, adsorbent dosage = 1 g/l and contact time = 100 min to the value of 94.99% with desirability of 0.939. Results revealed that data were fitted by Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.9938) and pseudo second order kinetic (R2 = 0.9976). It was found that iron causes increasing the site active of scoria and let to significant removal of phenol. Keywords: Phenol, Iron-Modified scoria, RSM, Aqueous environmen

Data for efficiency comparison of raw pumice and manganese-modified pumice for removal phenol from aqueous environments—Application of response surface methodology

Present deadest collection was aimed to evaluate the efficiency of raw pumice (RWP) and Mn-modified pumice (MMP). Response surface methodology (RSM) based on the central composite designs (CCD) was applied to evaluate the effects of independent variables including pH, adsorbents dosage, contact time and adsorbate concentration on the response function and the best response values were predicted. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the adsorbents. Based on acquired data, the maximum efficiency removal of phenol was obtained 89.14% and 100% for raw and Mn-modified pumice respectively. The obtained data showed pH was effective parameter on phenol removal among the different variables. Evaluation of data using isotherms and kinetics models showed the fitted with Langmuir isotherm and pseudo second order kinetic for both adsorbents. According to obtained data was observed that modification of pumice can improve the efficiency removal of phenol to meet the effluent standards. Keywords: Phenol, Manganese-modified pumice, RSM, Aqueous environmen

Optimization of the 3D electro-Fenton process in removal of acid orange 10 from aqueous solutions by response surface methodology

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, rapid population growth and industrial development have led to the release of toxic compounds into water resources. Several technologies have been proposed to address the problem, and among them, the 3D electro-Fenton process has found great popularity due to its high efficiency and simple operation. In the 3D electro-Fenton process, the type of particle electrode is one of the most important factors owing to its impact on the reduction of energy consumption and generation of reactive species. In the present study, the optimization of the 3D electro-Fenton process coupled with iron-coated nickel foam (NF-Fe), as a new particle electrode, in the removal of acid orange 10 was investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). RESULTS: The RSM results showed that the quadratic model has a high R2 and high F-value based on ANOVA analysis. The optimum efficiency of dye removal (99.15) was obtained at pH 5.6, an NF-Fe dosage of 0.68 g L�1, a time of 34.6 min, and current density of 23.62 mA cm�2. Comparative tests showed the high efficiency of the 3D electro-Fenton process compared to other electrochemical systems. Quenching experiments demonstrated the production of different reactive species in the 3D process. The stability experiment proved that the NF-Fe has a high potential to improve the long-term degradation of dye. CONCLUSIONS: Due to its high efficiency, production of more reactive species and excellent stability of the NF-Fe electrode, this 3D electro-Fenton process is an excellent option for removal of dye from aqueous solutions. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industr

Efficiency evaluation of zeolite powder, as an adsorbent for the removal of nickel and chromium from aqueous solution: Isotherm and kinetic study

Heavy metals particularly nickel and chromium are recognized as threatening pollutants leaving serious adverse effects on human health and environment due to their toxicity, un-biodegradable properties and high concentration in industrial effluent. The present study aims to evaluate the zeolite powder efficiency, as an adsorbent, in removing nickel and chromium from aqueous solution. After preparing zeolite powder, batch experiments are performed in different times and adsorbent dosages (pH=7, heavy metals concentration=50 mg/L, and stirring/minute= 200rpm).Adsorption isotherm including Langmuir, Freundlich, Pseudo- first order and second-order model, Intra- particle diffusion and Elovich kinetics were applied to correlate the adsorption. Results indicate that nickel absorbs more than chromium and adsorption of both nickel and chromium obeyed the Freundlich model. Correlation coefficients obtained from Freundlich model and pseudo-second order kinetic are R2=0.995, R2=996 and R2=0.999, respectively, which shows that the Freundlich expression and the kinetics of pseudosecond order gave a better fit to the experimental data of zeolite powder. Also, removing Efficiency revealed significant increase after increasing the adsorbent dose and contact time (R2&lt;0.001). According to obtained dimensionless constant separation term (RL) of Langmuir expression, the RL values for the adsorption of both nickel and chromium onto zeolite powder range of 1-0 indicates that the adsorption is a favorable process. © 2016, International Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. All rights reserved